Listen up: There's another offer on the table from a streaming service. This time it's Spotify, which has launched a new audiobook-only subscription plan for $9.99 a month.
The move, announced Friday (March 1), would allow those who now use the music and podcast service for free to access 15 listening hours of audiobooks every month. The so-called Audiobook Access Tier is “a great option for literary enthusiasts who are looking for more audiobook-specific content,” Spotify says in a blog post.
It seems everything these days comes with a monthly subscription. Whether you’re paying for a streaming service, cloud storage or magazines, most Americans are paying for — and often forgetting they’re paying for — $219 worth of subscriptions every month, as noted in a CBS News report last year.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
According to a Bango survey, people are paying roughly $77 a month and $924 a year on streaming services alone. In an effort to create new and more expensive plans, streaming services that once were ad-free, such as Netflix and HBO, have begun offering subscription tiers with and without ads.
Spotify has followed suit. Last year, the company raised its monthly premium price to $10.99, from $9.99. Even with the hike, however, it’s still cheaper than other music streaming services on the market.
Is the new plan worth it?
Spotify's premium plan will only run you a buck more a month than its audiobook-only plan, and the premium version allows users to listen to music and podcasts without any ads. It also allows users to listen to 15 hours worth of audiobooks every month before having to pay for various titles.
In fact, Spotify’s Audiobook Access Tier still has some restrictions. The company hosts more than 370,000 books on its platform, but only 200,000 are eligible under this 15-hour monthly plan — the rest must be paid for right off the bat. Also, users can only purchase titles via the Spotify Web Player, not in the app.
Another consideration is the length of time it will take you to finish listening to an audiobook. While 15 hours could probably get you through a book and a half each month, you'd need well over 24 hours for some popular titles such as The Hunger Games.
Spotify vs. Audible
It’s also worth noting that Spotify’s plan is cheaper than Audible, Amazon’s audiobook shop. Audible is $14.95 a month, and it gives users one credit every month to buy a title and keep it forever.
Audible also has another monthly subscription plan that costs $7.95, which prevents users from choosing a free audiobook every month. Audible sells certain audiobooks exclusively, making them unavailable on other platforms.
Spotify, however, has only recently begun dipping its toe into audiobooks after successfully nabbing exclusive podcasts and becoming, as it claims, the world's most popular audio streaming service with more than 602 million users. This includes 236 million subscribers in more than 180 markets.
The company said it saw a 45% increase in free users looking for audiobook content on its site after launching its audiobook offering for Premium customers.
“With 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,” the company says in the blog.
To compare the audiobook-only plan to Spotify's other plans, visit the company's website.
RELATED LINKS
-
What to expect from the global economy in 2026The Kiplinger Letter Economic growth across the globe will be highly uneven, with some major economies accelerating while others hit the brakes.
-
What You Need to Do With Your 401(k) Before 2025 Is OverBefore 2025 ends, check your 401(k) contributions, investments, and catch-up eligibility to lock in this year’s tax savings and employer match.
-
3 Year-End Tax Moves You Can't Afford to MissDon't miss out on this prime time to maximize contributions to your retirement accounts, do Roth conversions and capture investment gains.
-
The Top 22 Gifts for Grandkids from Walmart in 2025From PlayStation to Labubu, you'll find the hottest gifts of 2025 for your grandkids at Walmart this year. Some of them are up to 78% off.
-
CD vs. Money Market: Where to Put Your Year-End Bonus NowFalling interest rates have savers wondering where to park cash. Here's how much $10,000 earns in today's best CDs versus leading money market accounts.
-
Meet the World's Unluckiest — Not to Mention Entitled — Porch PirateThis teen swiped a booby-trapped package that showered him with glitter, and then he hurt his wrist while fleeing. This is why no lawyer will represent him.
-
Smart Business: How Community Engagement Can Help Fuel GrowthAs a financial professional, you can strengthen your brand while making a difference in your community. See how these pros turned community spirit into growth.
-
Smart Money Moves Savers Should Make in 2026These steps will get you on the road to achieving your 2026 savings goals.
-
How Much Would a $50,000 HELOC Cost Per Month?Thinking about tapping your home’s equity? Here’s what a $50,000 HELOC might cost you each month based on current rates.
-
My First $1 Million: Self-Employed Trader, 50, San FranciscoEver wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Waiting for Retirement to Give to Charity? Here Are 3 Reasons to Do It Now, From a Financial PlannerYou could wait until retirement, but making charitable giving part of your financial plan now could be far more beneficial for you and the causes you support.
