Audible, the Amazon-owned audiobook giant, has launched a new, more affordable subscription tier in the US priced at $8.99 per month—a significant drop from its flagship Premium plan at $14.95 per month. The move directly targets competition from Spotify, which has aggressively expanded into audiobooks by bundling them with music and podcasts in its Premium subscriptions.
Announced on Tuesday, the new "Standard" plan provides subscribers with one audiobook credit per month, allowing selection from Audible's vast catalog of over 900,000 titles (including most new releases and bestsellers).
Users retain access to their chosen audiobook as long as the membership remains active. The plan also includes unlimited ad-free streaming from a curated library featuring Audible Originals and approximately 200 popular podcast titles previously exclusive to the Wondery+ app—such as hits like Dr. Death and American Scandal. (The Wondery+ app itself is being phased out.)
The Standard plan rolled out immediately in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, and France, with testing planned in additional markets. Both tiers offer a 30-day free trial for new members.
The launch reflects intensifying competition in the growing audio streaming space, where platforms vie for subscribers by offering bundled content at competitive prices. Audible's cheaper entry point could attract budget-conscious users exploring audiobooks without committing to the higher Premium cost.
For full details and to sign up, visit Audible's official site.