Audible Introduces a Less Expensive Audiobook Plan

Amazon has announced a less expensive Audible Standard plan to keep the service competitive with Spotify. The plan is available in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, and France.

“The launch of our Standard plan reflects Audible’s ongoing commitment to serving the diverse preferences and listening habits of story-lovers everywhere,” Audible chief financial and growth officer Cynthia Chu explains. “By expanding our membership options, we’re maximizing access for lighter listeners while enabling publishers and creators to reach new audiences—a win-win that grows the entire audiobook category.”

Audible Standard costs $8.99 per month, vs. $14.95 for the Audible Premium plan. Unlike Audible Premium, you don’t get a monthly credit that allows you to purchase an audiobook for free. Instead, you can add one audiobook each month from the entire Audible catalog, with over one million titles. Each audiobook you select is “yours” for as long as you maintain the membership, and you also get unlimited access to the Audible podcasts collection.

To be clear, Audible Premium lets you keep the books you acquire via monthly credits, even if you cancel the membership. Audible Premium also provides access to over 150,000 audiobooks and podcasts and to exclusive sales and discounts.

Audible never mentions Spotify, of course, but it’s clear that the Standard plan targets those who might be swayed by the access to over 150,000 audiobooks that many Spotify subscribers get. “The plan offers an accessible entry point for listeners looking for the latest best-seller or who are just beginning to explore audiobooks,” Chu says. Amazon expects the Standard plan to bring millions of new consumers to Audible in the coming year, and it is testing to see whether it makes sense to bring this tier to additional markets.

You can learn more about Audible Standard on the Audible website.