Did you know that you can listen to audiobooks on Spotify and that many are included in Spotify Premium? I didn’t and I’ve been using Everand and Audible to access audiobooks I already had access to with my Spotify Premium membership! This is a game-changer for me: everything I listen to in one place.
Here’s a guide on how to access and listen to audiobooks on Spotify:
1. Accessing Audiobooks on Spotify
Spotify has Audiobooks as a content category, so finding them is actually quite simple (I had just never noticed). You can see where it says Audiobooks at the top:
- Search for Audiobooks: The easiest way is to use the search bar at the top of the Spotify app. Type in “audiobooks,” and you’ll see a selection of curated lists, popular titles and audiobook categories, or search for the specific title you’re looking for.
- Audiobooks Section: Spotify has a dedicated section for audiobooks, which you can find by navigating to the “Browse” or “Explore” tab. There, you’ll see genres like fiction, non-fiction, self-help, and more:
Once you’ve found a title you want to listen to, click on it as you would with a song or podcast episode, and it will start playing.
2. Purchasing Audiobooks
While music and podcasts are typically available with a Spotify subscription, audiobooks work a bit differently. Some audiobooks are included in a Premium subscription, while others are offered on a pay-per-title basis, meaning you’ll need to purchase the individual book.
See below where one says “Included in Premium” and the other has a lock icon on the play button:
Here’s how to buy audiobooks:
- Select Your Audiobook: Once you’ve found the audiobook you want, click on it, and Spotify will prompt you to purchase it.
- Complete the Purchase: You’ll be directed to a secure external link to complete the transaction. After purchasing, the audiobook will be added to your library and you can start listening.
3. Listening to Your Audiobook
Once you’ve purchased your audiobook, listening is just like playing any other track or podcast. You can control playback with standard features like play/pause, rewind, and fast forward.
Here are some additional tips for a smooth listening experience:
Yes, I am currently listening to Wintering by Katherine May. Discover more of my recommended reads for winter here.
- Bookmarking and Resuming: Spotify remembers where you left off in your audiobook, so you can pause and pick up from the same spot later, even if you’ve listened to something else in between.
- Playback Speed: If you want to speed through a story or slow it down, you can adjust the playback speed. This is great for customising how you absorb information, especially for longer or more complex books. (You can see I’m currently listening to Wintering at 1.2x speed, which sometimes I do when the narrator reads slowly.)
- Offline Listening: Like music and podcasts, you can download audiobooks to listen offline. This is great if you’re planning to listen in areas without reliable internet access, like on a plane or road trip.
- Multiple Devices: Like all Spotify content, you can listen to your audiobook on different devices, including your phone, tablet, computer, or even smart speakers.
4. Discovering New Audiobooks
Spotify’s audiobook library is growing, and it’s packed with both classic and new titles. Here are a few ways to discover your next great listen:
- Curated Playlists: Spotify has a range of curated audiobook playlists based on genre or theme, like “Bestselling Fiction” or “Motivational Non-Fiction.”
- Recommendations: As you listen to more audiobooks, Spotify will start recommending titles based on your preferences, making it easier to find something you’ll enjoy.
- Featured Audiobooks: Keep an eye on Spotify’s home screen and the Audiobooks section for newly released or trending titles.
5. Audiobooks for Free Users
Spotify users with a free account can access audiobooks, but with some limitations. You may need to deal with ads interrupting your listening experience, and downloading books for offline listening is not available.
If you plan on listening to audiobooks regularly, upgrading to a premium subscription (while still paying for the audiobooks) will provide a smoother, ad-free experience. I already have a premium subscription for music, so this costs me nothing extra.
7. Exploring Alternatives to Spotify Audiobooks
If you’re a fan of Spotify’s ecosystem but are also looking for alternatives, you might want to explore other audiobook platforms like Audible, Google Play Books, or Libby (for borrowing from public libraries). These platforms also offer a wide range of titles and additional features tailored specifically for audiobook listening. Discover my full list of where to get e-books and audiobooks for free here.
Conclusion
Whether you’re already a Spotify user or new to the platform, accessing and enjoying audiobooks is actually super easy. I can’t believe I didn’t see this sooner!
Happy listening!