Spotify has announced the launch of a new Basic paid plan, offering a small discount for those willing to forgo access to audiobooks. Priced at $10.99 per month, this new plan includes all the music benefits of Spotify, such as ad-free playback, but without the added monthly audiobook listening time.
Key Features of Spotify’s Basic Plan
- Price: $10.99 per month.
- Music Benefits: Includes all music features like ad-free playback.
- No Audiobooks: Does not include audiobook listening time.
Comparison with Existing Plans
- Premium Individual:
- Price: $11.99 per month.
- Features: Ad-free playback plus 15 hours of audiobook listening from a catalog of over 250,000 titles.
- Duo Plan:
- Price: $16.99 per month.
- Family Plan:
- Price: $19.99 per month.
- Ad-Supported Plan:
- Price: $9.99 per month.
- Features: 15 hours of audiobook listening with ad-supported music.
Spotify’s Strategic Move
In June, Spotify increased its base price from $10.99 to $11.99 to enhance user experience. However, with the introduction of the new Basic plan, customers who don’t use the audiobook feature can still enjoy the music benefits at the prior $10.99/month price point. This adjustment makes Spotify’s Basic plan competitively priced with Apple Music, which also costs $10.99 per month for its base music subscription service.
Benefits of the Basic Plan
- Cost Savings: Users save $1 per month compared to the Premium Individual plan by dropping audiobook access.
- Competitive Pricing: Aligns Spotify’s pricing with Apple Music, eliminating the previous $1 premium.
- Target Audience: Ideal for users who do not utilize Spotify’s audiobook feature and want a cost-effective music-only subscription.
No Changes to Other Plans
There have been no changes to the pricing of Spotify’s other plans. The Duo plan remains at $16.99 per month, and the Family plan at $19.99 per month. The $9.99 per month plan also continues to offer 15 hours of audiobook listening with ad-supported music.
Final Thoughts
Spotify’s new Basic plan is a strategic move to provide more flexible pricing options for its users. By offering a music-only subscription at a lower price, Spotify caters to customers who prioritize music over audiobooks, making its service more attractive and competitive in the streaming market.
