Spotify just announced that it’s expanding audiobook access to members of its Premium Family Plan in the United States — a move that, in my opinion, is long overdue.
Until now, Spotify’s audiobook perk had only been available to individual Premium and Duo subscribers, leaving out family plan users despite the fact that it’s one of the platform’s most popular and expensive subscription tiers. This latest update, which is rolling out gradually across the U.S., finally brings 15 hours of audiobook listening time per month to each account holder on a family plan — not just the primary payer. That means up to six people on one plan can now enjoy audiobooks separately, with their own listening time and progress tracked individually.
Now, here’s the part that interests me most: Spotify is clearly not just dabbling in audiobooks anymore, it’s making a calculated push into this space to challenge Amazon’s Audible, which has long dominated the audiobook market. Honestly, I think Spotify has a real shot at disrupting that dominance, especially if it continues to prioritize accessibility.
Spotify already owns the audio real estate on most people’s phones. Millions use it daily for music and podcasts. With the addition of audiobooks into the mix — without requiring users to download a separate app or pay an extra subscription — makes listening feel seamless. And now that family plan users can get in on it too, Spotify just widened its reach dramatically.
There’s also the strategic value of timing. As streaming platforms fight for retention, bundling services together — music, podcasts, and now audiobooks — is Spotify’s way of keeping users inside its ecosystem longer. And it’s working. The company reported earlier this year that Premium subscriber numbers are steadily climbing, even as competitors like Apple Music and YouTube Music struggle to stand out. Audiobooks may not be the primary reason people subscribe, but they can absolutely be the reason they stay.
But the move also raises questions about sustainability. Fifteen hours a month sounds generous on paper, but in audiobook terms, that might only get you through one title — maybe one and a half. If you’re listening to something like Sapiens or Atomic Habits, you’ll burn through your hours quickly. So what happens then? Spotify offers top-ups, of course — you can buy extra hours as needed — but that’s where the Audible-style model creeps in. Spotify isn’t ditching à la carte purchases; it’s just re-framing them as add-ons. And for heavy audiobook listeners, that can still add up.
That said, for the average user — especially those new to audiobooks — 15 hours is a decent entry point. And by offering it to every member of a family plan, Spotify is essentially offering six mini Audible trials every month. That’s a big deal. It also potentially introduces younger listeners (teens and young adults on family plans) to the audiobook format earlier — a long-term investment in listener behavior that Amazon may not be making to the same extent.
As someone who believes in the future of audio — not just as entertainment, but as a tool for learning, accessibility, and culture — this feels like a smart, necessary move. Spotify’s growth strategy is no longer about being the best music app. It’s about being the best audio app. Period.
And if this update is any indication, they’re not slowing down.
