Audible, the Amazon-owned audiobook platform, has introduced a new subscription plan called the ‘Standard’ plan, priced at $8.99 per month. This more affordable option challenges Audible’s existing ‘Premium’ plan, which costs $14.95 per month. Under the Standard plan, subscribers receive one audiobook per month from Audible’s extensive catalog and have unlimited listening from a curated library featuring Audible Originals.
Notably, subscribers under the Standard plan will lose access to the audiobooks they’ve consumed if they choose to unsubscribe, a contrast to the Premium plan where users can retain access to the audiobooks even after unsubscribing. Additionally, the Standard plan includes access to around 200 popular titles from the soon-to-be-shut-down Wondery+ app.
This new subscription plan rollout by Audible is strategically timed as the platform faces increased competition from Spotify, which entered the audiobook market in 2022. Spotify’s bundled approach of offering audiobooks alongside music and podcasts through its Premium subscription has gained traction among users.
Audible’s introduction of a more affordable plan aims to expand its user base and maintain competitiveness in the evolving audiobook market landscape.
Source: TechCrunch