Audible is testing a less expensive subscription tier in Australia that seems like a solution to Spotify’s audiobook push. Just like the costlier plan, the brand new Commonplace membership offers you one free title monthly. However, much like gaming providers like PlayStation Plus, you lose entry to the books you claimed below the plan for those who cancel.
As reported by Bloomberg, the Audible Commonplace plan prices AUD 8.99 (US$5.90) monthly, considerably decrease than the AUD 16.45 month-to-month value of the Premium Plus plan in Australia ($14.97 within the US). Regardless of the decrease value, Audible Commonplace subscribers down below can nonetheless declare one audiobook monthly so as to add to their library, which they’ll obtain and hearken to on-line or off.
However the catch is, in contrast to Audible Premium Plus, Commonplace members’ free audiobook credit don’t roll over to the following month in the event that they don’t use them. (So, for those who neglect to say a e book in Might, you’ll nonetheless solely have one credit score to make use of in June.) As well as, the audiobooks you selected on the Commonplace plan can have a lock icon subsequent to them after you cancel. To hearken to them after canceling, you’ll have to purchase them at full value or resubscribe.
One other distinction between the plans is Audible Commonplace members received’t get full podcast entry. “Audible Commonplace members can hearken to many podcasts at no cost,” an Audible FAQ in regards to the plan reads. “Some Audible Unique podcasts aren’t accessible with Audible Commonplace membership although.”
Spotify launched an audiobook characteristic final yr that challenged Audible’s established mannequin. Spotify Premium subscribers within the US can stream 15 hours of books month-to-month by their ad-free music plan. The service additionally provides an audiobooks-only tier (with the identical 15-hour cap) for $10 month-to-month. If the allotted time isn’t sufficient, Spotify customers should purchase a 10-hour top-up. A single audiobook typically lasts round seven to 11 hours.