Spotify Takes Audiobooks to 180 Markets, but Not Always as a Free Perk

My verdict: a real expansion, but check what your plan includes before you call it a perk.

Spotify is rolling audiobooks out to more than 180 markets, up from 22, with the rollout continuing through the end of 2026. It lists more than 350,000 titles in over 120 languages. What you get depends on where you live. In markets including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Poland, Chile, Norway, Peru, Italy, Spain and Portugal, eligible Premium subscribers get 12 hours of audiobooks a month. In other regions, including Argentina and much of Africa and Asia, the main route is Audiobooks+, a paid add-on with extra listening hours. Anyone can also buy individual titles, at prices that vary by market. The price of the add-on is not given in the article I read.

So this is not a free library for everyone. It is a small allowance in some countries and an extra bill in others.

I am not the audience for it. I love reading, fantasy in particular, and audiobooks seem to me an extension for people who want a story but do not enjoy reading as much. I would not pay for one, because I prefer the book. Still, I will admit it is a good option for the people it is aimed at. Whether it works out is something only time will show.

Before you count on it, open the app and see which plan and which hours your country gets. The announcement is linked below.