Are All Audiobooks Free on Spotify?

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Written By Dinu Sri

Dr H. T. D. S. Madusanka is an electronic expert with 10 years of experience, involved in the research and development of SMART HOME systems.

No, not all audiobooks on Spotify are free. While Spotify does offer some free audiobooks, particularly for Premium subscribers, most require purchase. This article explores the types of audiobooks available on Spotify, with a focus on free offerings, paid offerings, and how to access both. It provides tips on finding free audiobooks through search, playlists, and communities. Topics covered include: an overview of Spotify’s audiobook selection, instructions for finding free audiobooks, lists of the best free audiobooks by genre, details on free audiobooks for Premium members, how to purchase audiobooks, listening to paid audiobooks, and alternatives to Spotify for free audiobooks. Ultimately, the article aims to clarify what is free versus paid on Spotify’s audiobook platform.

Types of Audiobooks on Spotify

Spotify boasts a plethora of audiobooks that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you are a fan of timeless classics, contemporary fiction, thrilling mysteries, enlightening self-help books, or educational non-fiction, Spotify has something in store for you. The platform hosts both standalone audiobooks and series, allowing users to delve into an expansive narrative universe or enjoy a quick read.

Spotify’s endeavor into the audiobook domain includes partnerships with renowned publishers and authors, along with creating original audiobooks exclusive to the platform. The original audiobooks are often narrated by well-known voices, adding a unique flavor to the listening experience. Furthermore, the quality of audio production is meticulously maintained to ensure a captivating auditory journey.

Variety of audiobook covers displayed on a tablet with headphones

How to Find Free Audiobooks on Spotify?

Discovering free audiobooks on Spotify is relatively straightforward but might require a bit of digging.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to find them:

  1. Keyword Search: Start by typing keywords like “audiobook,” “free audiobook,” or the title of a specific book in the search bar. This will yield a list of available audiobooks.
  2. Browse Feature: On the Spotify mobile app, tap on the ‘Audiobook’ shortcut located at the top of the screen to browse through a curated list of audiobooks. This feature might unveil some free audiobooks available on the platform.
  3. “Included in Premium” Tag: Keep an eye out for the “included in Premium” tag as you search. This tag denotes audiobooks that are available for free to Spotify Premium members.
  4. Playlist Search: Some users and Spotify curators create playlists of free audiobooks. Searching for “free audiobook playlist” may also lead you to a collection of free audiobooks.
  5. Follow Audiobook Communities: There are online communities of audiobook enthusiasts who share lists of free audiobooks available on Spotify. Engaging in such communities can be a good source of recommendations.

Best Free Audiobooks on Spotify

The library of free audiobooks on Spotify is a treasure trove for book lovers. With a Spotify Premium membership, listeners have access to over 150,000 titles including a mix of classics and contemporary works​. Here are a few categories of free audiobooks that are well-received on Spotify:

  1. Classics: Timeless pieces of literature that have stood the test of time are available in audiobook format. Engage with the works of authors like Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Mark Twain, among others.
  2. Contemporary Fiction: Dive into modern storytelling with a variety of contemporary fiction titles. Explore different genres and discover new authors who are making a mark in the literary world.
  3. Self-Help and Motivational: Embark on a journey of self-discovery and improvement with an array of self-help and motivational audiobooks that aim to enrich your life and broaden your perspective.
  4. Educational and Non-Fiction: Satisfy your curiosity and expand your knowledge with a range of educational and non-fiction audiobooks covering a multitude of subjects.
  5. Science Fiction and Fantasy: Venture into otherworldly realms and futuristic scenarios with the science fiction and fantasy audiobook selection on Spotify.
Mobile phone playing an audiobook on Spotify with genre silhouettes

Are Audiobooks Free on Spotify Premium?

With a Spotify Premium membership, the gateway to a rich collection of free audiobooks swings wide open. Premium members are granted access to a library boasting over 150,000 audiobook titles, delivering an unparalleled auditory experience sans interruptions, thanks to the ad-free nature of the Premium service​​. This vast array of free audiobooks enhances the value proposition of Spotify Premium, making it a cost-effective choice for audiobook aficionados. The availability of free audiobooks can be a key decision factor for potential subscribers, and a distinguishing feature that sets Spotify Premium apart in the competitive audio streaming market.

How to Purchase Audiobooks on Spotify?

Venturing into the realm of paid audiobooks on Spotify unveils a treasure of literary gems awaiting discovery. Here’s a simplified walkthrough on how to purchase audiobooks:

  1. Identifying Purchasable Audiobooks: Spotting audiobooks available for purchase is straightforward with the visible lock icon on the play button, indicating that a purchase is required for access​​.
  2. Initiating Purchase: Upon tapping the lock icon, users are navigated to a webpage where the transaction can be smoothly carried out.
  3. Finalizing Purchase: Once the purchase is finalized, returning to the Spotify app reveals the newly acquired audiobook, securely nestled in the user’s library, ready for an auditory exploration.
  4. Ease of Access: The purchased audiobooks are forever accessible, much like songs and podcasts, ensuring a seamless transition between different forms of audio entertainment on Spotify.
  5. Discoverability: Spotify’s intuitive interface facilitates the discovery of new audiobooks, while the option to purchase enables users to build a personalized audiobook collection.
Smartphone showing purchasable audiobook on Spotify with a lock icon and digital credit card

How to Listen to Paid Audiobooks on Spotify?

The seamless integration of paid audiobooks within the Spotify ecosystem ensures a hassle-free listening experience. Here’s how to indulge in paid audiobooks on Spotify:

  1. Accessing Library: Post-purchase, the audiobook is auto-saved to the user’s library, making it effortlessly accessible.
  2. Streaming: Similar to music and podcasts, paid audiobooks can be streamed at any time, from anywhere, fostering a flexible listening environment.
  3. Offline Listening: For on-the-go moments, Spotify allows the download of paid audiobooks for offline listening, ensuring uninterrupted access to your literary adventures.
  4. User-Friendly Interface: The Spotify app curates a user-friendly interface that demarcates music, podcasts, and audiobooks, enabling a streamlined navigation through its diverse audio offerings.
  5. Bookmarking and Progress Tracking: Handy features like bookmarking and progress tracking enhance the listening experience, making it easier to pick up from where you left off.

Alternatives to Spotify for Free Audiobooks

While Spotify offers a substantial selection of audiobooks, there are other platforms dedicated solely to audiobooks like Audible or Scribd. Additionally, platforms like Librivox and Project Gutenberg offer free audiobooks, particularly of classic works that are in the public domain. These alternatives provide a range of options for audiobook enthusiasts looking for free or differently priced selections outside of Spotify’s ecosystem.

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