Audible today introduced a new Standard membership tier across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany and France, expanding access to its catalog of audiobooks at a lower monthly price.
According to the announcement, the new tiers are designed to expand the overall audience for audio storytelling while appealing to occasional listeners and first-time audiobooks users. Cynthia Chu, Audible’s Chief Financial and Growth Officer, said, “The launch of the Standard plan reflects Audible’s ongoing commitment to catering to the diverse preferences and listening habits of story lovers everywhere. By expanding our membership options, we are allowing publishers and creators to reach new audiences while maximizing accessibility for casual listeners. It’s a win-win that grows the entire audiobook category.”
An affordable option to start your audiobook journey with Audible
The new Standard plan costs $8.99 per month in the US and similar prices elsewhere. This includes one audiobook credit per month that subscribers can use on any title from Audible’s entire catalog. Members will continue to have access to their registered titles while their subscription is active. The plan also offers unlimited, ad-free listening to Audible Originals previously available on Wondery’s Wondery+ service, as well as a curated library of nearly 200 popular titles.
Audible said it has seen strong results from early testing in the UK and Australia, with a double-digit increase in new member sign-ups compared to its predecessor. The company expects its Standard plan to bring millions of new users to the ecosystem over the next year through wider rollout.
The launch does not replace Audible’s existing Premium plan, which costs $14.95 per month in the U.S. and includes unlimited listening to the entire Plus catalog and a monthly credit that can be kept permanently even after cancellation.