Spotify is broadening its audiobook offering with a major update to its Audiobooks+ service. Announced on Thursday, the update brings access to more users — not just individual premium subscribers, but also, for the first time, those on Premium Family and Duo plans.
After testing the service in Ireland and Canada, the Stockholm-based company is now launching it across 11 more countries. However, there’s still no word on whether this feature will roll out in India, or what it might cost if it does.
Spotify Launches Two New Add-On Plans for Audiobooks+
In a press release, Spotify introduced two new options for accessing Audiobooks+. These add-ons are designed to give users more flexibility when it comes to listening to audiobooks. The service is now available in countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
Audiobooks+ for Family and Duo Plan Members
One of the new plans is aimed at members on shared subscriptions. Under the Audiobooks+ for Plan Members option, additional users on Premium Family and Duo plans can now enjoy 15 hours of audiobook listening per month. However, they’ll need to ask their plan manager to activate the add-on, since it’s a recurring purchase that the manager has to make on their behalf.
If a user uses up their 15-hour quota, they don’t have to wait until next month. Spotify is offering the ability to buy a top-up — a one-time option that gives an extra 10 hours of listening time. Once the next billing cycle begins, the original 15-hour limit resets automatically.
In India, Spotify currently charges Rs. 179 per month for a family plan that allows up to six members, including the account holder. But it’s still unclear if the new Audiobooks+ add-on plans will be launched in the country, or how much they would cost in addition to the base price.
Audiobooks+ for Individual Premium Users
The second new plan — Audiobooks+ for individual Premium members — is available to those who manage Family or Duo plans, as well as regular solo subscribers. Just like the first plan, this one includes a 15-hour monthly limit for audiobook streaming.
Spotify Aims for Growth Amid Slower Profits
Spotify says the new Audiobooks+ offerings are part of its strategy to make audiobooks more accessible to more people. The company believes this will help publishers and authors connect with new listeners, while also opening up new revenue streams.
This move comes at a time when Spotify’s first quarter 2025 operating profit fell short of expectations — coming in at EUR 509 million (around Rs. 5,096 crore) compared to a forecast of EUR 548 million (about Rs. 5,486 crore). Expanding Audiobooks+ could help the platform recuperate some of those losses and strengthen its global subscriber base.
