Audible launches a cheaper ‘Standard’ subscription plan, challenging Spotify
Source: TechCrunch
Audible’s New “Standard” Subscription Plan
Audible announced a new “Standard” plan priced at $8.99 per month, $6 cheaper than the existing “Premium” plan ($14.95 per month).
-
Included benefits:
- One audiobook per month from Audible’s catalog.
- Unlimited listening from a curated library that features a selection of Audible Originals.
- Access to nearly 200 of the most popular titles from the Wonder + app, which is slated to shut down in the coming months.
-
Key difference from Premium:
- Under the Standard plan, subscribers lose access to the audiobooks they’ve consumed when they unsubscribe.
- The Premium plan allows users to keep previously listened‑to audiobooks even after cancellation.
Availability
The Standard plan launches in the following markets:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- Germany
- France
Audible is also testing the plan in additional regions.
Competitive Landscape
Audible’s new offering arrives as the company faces growing competition from Spotify, which introduced audiobooks in 2022 and bundles them with music and podcasts under its Premium subscription.
- Spotify reported a 36% year‑over‑year increase in the number of users listening to audiobooks and a 37% rise in listening hours (source: Spotify newsroom, Oct 15 2025).
- More than half of Spotify’s 281 million premium subscribers have engaged with an audiobook.
Spotify recently raised its monthly subscription price for the third time in three years, potentially creating an opening for competitors like Audible.
Company Statement
“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.”
— Cynthia Chu, Chief Financial & Growth Officer, Audible (press release)
Early Testing Results
Audible’s early tests of the Standard plan showed:
- Strong member acquisition and retention rates.
- In the United Kingdom and Australia, the plan drove a double‑digit increase in new member sign‑ups compared with previous offerings.
- Projections suggest the plan could bring in millions of new customers as it expands to additional markets.
References