Spotify adds a new Audiobook Access subscription plan giving booklovers 15 hours of listening for $9.99/month. Available only in the US it grants access to over 200,000 titles. According to Spotify, ‘this plan and in one app experience, listeners can continue to tune into music and podcasts on our free, ad-supported service, offering a great option for literary enthusiasts who are looking for more audiobook-specific content.’Given that Spotify Premium is $10.99/month in the US and comes with 15 hours of audiobook listening bundled into the plan, the Audiobook Access plan at one dollar less doesn’t seem like a compelling offer. Spotify estimate that 15 hours equates to around 2 audiobooks but if you need more reading hours additional 10 hour Top Ups are available for $12.99. You will also have to go to Spotify’s webplayer rather than purchase in-app due to the ongoing wrangle with Apple over in-app purchase commissions.
This all has to be compared to Amazon’s Audible subscription plans which start at $7.95/month for Audible Plus and $14.95 for Audible Premium Plus. For listeners who regularly get through 2-3 or more books per month then Audible Premium Plus is likely to work out as the cheaper option.
Audiobook access for Premium users was rolled out to UK and Australia in November 2023 and US subscribers gained access in November 2023. It is not known when or if this will be extended to other countries.
