Spotify launched audiobooks in late 2022, aiming to be your one-stop for all issues audio. It has steep competitors in Audible, a long-time favourite and one of many OGs in audiobooks. Which service is the best choice?
Which Has the Larger Catalog?
An audiobook service isn’t very helpful if it doesn’t have the books you’re desirous about listening to, so let’s have a look at catalog sizes. Who has extra audiobooks to supply?
Amazon is surprisingly tight-lipped about what number of audiobooks can be found on Audible. Again in 2019, it had “greater than 475,000.” Extra lately, Amazon solely says “hundreds” and “world’s largest catalog.” We are able to safely assume the catalog is kind of massive at this level.
Spotify launched with over 300,000 audiobook titles. That’s thanks largely to its acquisition of Findaway, an audiobook distributor, in late 2021. 300,000 is a good quantity to begin with, although it’s clearly not as huge as Audible’s catalog.
Subscriptions vs. On-Demand Purchases
The largest distinction between Spotify and Audible is the pricing fashions. Audible has subscription plans and credit, whereas Spotify operates with primary on-demand buying.
Amazon presents two Audible subscription plans: a $7.95 “Plus” plan and a $14.95 “Premium Plus” plan. Each plans embody limitless entry to a rotating pool of audiobooks within the “Plus” library. The “Premium Plus” plan additionally consists of one “credit score” per thirty days, good for any audiobook.
Nonetheless, you don’t should get a kind of subscriptions to make use of Audible. It’s additionally potential to easily purchase Audiobooks at their set worth, identical to you’ll with Kindle eBooks from Amazon.
Spotify, then again, doesn’t have any form of subscription mannequin for audiobooks. Spotify Premium subscribers don’t get any audiobook advantages. You possibly can solely purchase audiobooks at their set worth.
RELATED: How Do Audiobooks Work on Spotify?
Which Is Cheaper?
The pricing fashions are totally different, however what in regards to the precise costs? Right here’s the place the subscription vs. on-demand variations come into play somewhat extra.
We’ll use Stephen King’s The Gunslinger for instance. Spotify costs $15.49 for the audiobook, whereas Audible costs $15.22. Spotify will get the slight edge when evaluating the straight-up costs.
Nonetheless, let’s say you have got a subscription. You would possibly solely should pay $7.95 if it’s included within the “Plus” catalog or $14.95 should you use your one free e-book from the “Premium Plus” plan. Each are cheaper than Spotify’s worth.
The higher deal will depend on your utilization habits. In case you hearken to plenty of audiobooks, an Audible subscription is one of the best ways to get began. Not each audiobook will likely be included within the free catalog, but it surely’s nonetheless much more than what Spotify presents without spending a dime. Spotify is a pleasant choice should you’re a extra informal audiobook listener that already makes use of Spotify.
RELATED: Get Began With Audible and Audiobooks
The place to Pay attention
Lastly, you in all probability wish to know which units you need to use to hearken to audiobooks with these two providers. Fortunately, each Spotify and Audible can be found on a big collection of units.
Spotify is offered on iPhone, iPad, Android, Home windows, Amazon Hearth, Ps, Xbox, sensible TVs, sensible audio system, and the internet.
Audible is offered on iPhone, iPad, Android, iTunes, Amazon Hearth, Amazon Kindle, Sonos, sensible audio system, and the internet.
Each of those providers have develop into among the many leaders in audiobooks. There’s by no means been a greater time to begin listening. You don’t should really feel unhealthy about ditching actual books or eReaders.
