Understanding Spotify’s Audiobook Limit and How It Works


AuthorGökce Gökcen
Date2024-12-17
Reading Time6 Minutes

Spotify offers audiobooks with a limited listening hour and is only available in certain countries. Spotify Premium users can benefit from this feature only. However, some tips exist to optimize using Spotify’s audiobook feature. This guide will teach you more about the limitations and tips for listening to Spotify’s audiobooks.

This guide also discusses why Literator is one of the perfect options for listening to audiobooks. Offering a wide variety of genres, Literator provides a customized reading experience. You can adjust font sizes for readability, switch to night mode for low-light settings, and choose from various visual themes to match your style. Litarator adapts to your needs, providing a comfortable and personalized reading experience anytime, anywhere.

Close-up view of a smartphone with the Spotify logo on the screen, surrounded by wireless earbuds and a green plant.
Explore seamless streaming of audiobooks with Spotify shown on this smartphone.

What is Spotify’s Audiobook Limit?

The Spotify app provides audiobooks within the platform. With this feature, subscribers can listen to novels on Spotify. However, the limitation is 15 hours per month. It is only available in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

To use this feature, you must have a Premium individual account. Another option is to be the head of the Family or Duo Plan. Remember that some audiobooks require purchase even if you use the Premium plan.

You can still access audiobooks, but you need to purchase them with a Free Spotify plan. Ads will interrupt your listening from time to time. Additionally, even if you have a Premium plan, some audiobooks require purchase.

Overview of Spotify’s Audiobook Limit for 2025

Spotify’s current audiobook access limit seems to continue in 2025. Spotify has an Audiobooks Access Plan , only available to Premium subscribers. This means you cannot use the audiobook feature if you use Spotify’s free access. This plan also doesn’t include any other Premium features.

To purchase the audiobook access plan, you must cancel your Spotify Premium subscription if you have one. Then, go to Spotify. Note that you need to log in to your Spotify account.

Click on “Get Start” and choose your preferred payment method. Your plan’s unused audiobook listening time expires monthly.

Understanding Genre and Content Availability Under Spotify’s Limit

Spotify offers more than 150.000 audiobooks as part of Spotify Premium subscriptions. From mystery to fiction, Spotify provides different genres. However, this app offers limited genre and content availability compared to other apps, such as Literator.

Spotify's audiobook selection does not offer as many genres and content as Literator's. In addition, the listening limit makes it impossible for users to listen to all of Spotify's content.

Here is how you can find and listen to an audiobook on Spotify.

  • In the app, go to the search bar and write the book's title or author.
  • Under “Browse All,” choose “Audiobooks”.
  • Browse featured titles or scroll down to browse by category.
  • Save the audiobook and purchase it. Audiobooks you have unlocked or saved appear in “Your Library” under “Audiobooks.”
  • Now, you are ready to listen to your audiobook.

Note that you can listen to unlocked audiobooks only on the account you purchased. You can visit Spotify’s Audiobook Purchase Terms and Conditions for more detailed information.

A relaxed person sitting on a stack of large books, listening to audiobooks with headphones, surrounded by digital icons and a plant.
Discover the joy of audiobooks with a serene setting that encourages relaxed and focused listening.

Top Classic Literature Audiobooks on Spotify

Spotify offers a range of classic literature audiobooks, perfect for diving into beloved stories. However, there is also a Spotify audiobook limit for classics. Note that some may require purchase. Here’s a list of some top classics available on the platform.

  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
  • Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
  • Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
  • Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Spotify provides popular novels in popular languages within the limit. The famous novels in different languages for you are below.

English:

  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
  • Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
  • Sherlock Holmes Stories by Arthur Conan Doyle

Spanish:

  • Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude) by Gabriel García Márquez
  • Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes

French:

  • Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
  • Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
  • Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Also, there are some multilingual audiobooks on Spotify, which are listed below.

  • Grimm’s Fairy Tales
  • Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights)
  • Fables de La Fontaine

How to Access Spotify’s Cultural and Literary Audiobook Selections

You can type keywords like “classics” and “audiobooks” to explore Spotify’s selection of cultural and literary audiobooks. You can also try genre-related terms like “multilingual stories” or “world literature.”

Additionally, Spotify’s “Audiobooks” section, found under the “Search” tab, offers curated playlists and categories. Collections such as "Classics," "Multilingual Stories," and "World Literature " contain cultural and literary audiobooks.

Colorful display showing top audiobooks by genre including mystery, fiction, memoirs, and romance.
Explore top picks across genres like mystery and romance on Spotify's vibrant audiobook guide.

Tips to Maximize Spotify’s Audiobook Limit

Here are some tips to maximize Spotify’s audiobook limit.

  • Head to the search tab and choose the audiobook hub to find top-rated titles. If you are on mobile, you can also browse personalized recommendations from the audiobook feed on the home screen.
  • To save titles for later, just tap the plus bottom to add them to your library.
  • Set the sleep timer to avoid using up your 15 hours a month of listening time after you fall asleep. Tap the clock icon to choose how long your chapter will continue playing.

Exploring Author Collections and Summaries for Quick Reads

Spotify’s author collections, summaries, and curated playlists let you explore a wide variety of literature in small chunks. To explore author collections and summaries for concise quick reads, you can search for “collections” or “essentials.” This search will give you famous authors’ dedicated playlists or podcast channels.

Spotify has channels dedicated to summaries of popular books, such as “Quick Reads,” “Book Summaries,” or “15-Minute Book Reviews.” These are especially useful for a condensed version of novels and in podcast form.

Using Spotify’s Best Books for Story and Classical Literature Fans

Spotify has curated playlists dedicated to classical literature, such as Timeless Classics or Essential Novels . These playlists feature works from authors like Jane Austen, Leo Tolstoy, and Mary Shelley. In bite-sized episodes, you can find collections of famous novels, short stories, and poetry.

Many classic stories on Spotify are available as dramatic readings performed by actors and audio effects. Searching terms like “dramatic readings” will lead to titles like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes .

Making the Most of Audiobook Limits for Affordable, Accessible Listening

The audiobook feature of Spotify is great for accessible listening as so many people use Spotify already. However, its limitations can be a problem to afford and access. There are several tips for you to make the most of audiobook limits.

Many classic novels and short stories are available on Spotify in podcast form for free. You can access all the books without purchase by searching for classics like Pride and Prejudice as a podcast series. However, remember that these recordings may be better than audiobooks.

Spotify audiobook summaries and recaps in podcast form allow you to enjoy condensed versions of popular and classic novels. Channels like Quick Reads provide overviews and discussions on major literary works.

Here are some recommended audiobooks on Spotify:

  • Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a story of love and social class in 19th-century England.
  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum is an adventure story perfect for all ages.
  • The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux is a Gothic mystery set in the grand Paris Opera House, mixing romance and suspense.
  • Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky: Dostoevsky’s psychological thriller is in English and Russian.
  • Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Brothers Grimm: These classic fairy tales offer timeless, moral-driven stories like Cinderella .
  • American Short Stories: These stories feature a variety of authors, from Washington Irving to Edgar Allan Poe. They are ideal for brief listening and bring suspense, adventure, and romance.
  • Quick Lit Book Summaries: These summaries are ideal for fast listening. They cover significant themes in classic and popular novels.

Must-Listen Classic Tales on Spotify

Here is the Spotify library of classic tales.

  • Grimm’s Fairy Tales by the Brothers Grimm: The Brothers Grimm offers timeless tales like Hansel, Gretel, and The Frog Prince . These stories are dark and captivating, and each carries a unique moral.
  • Arabian Nights (One Thousand and One Nights): This famous collection from the Middle East includes well-loved tales such as Aladdin .
  • La Fontaine’s Fables, like The Wolf and the Lamb , present witty stories on human nature and morality.

Spotify offers a rich selection of stories that appeal to literature lovers. Here are some popular picks that cover a range of genres and styles for you.

  • The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe: This classic short story of suspense and psychological horror is a must-listen. Poe’s tale of guilt and madness is a memorable experience.
  • Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving: This early American tale tells the story of Rip. He falls asleep for 20 years and wakes up to a changed world. It’s both entertaining and reflective, with themes of time and change.
  • The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant: This French classic about vanity, fate, and irony follows a woman’s story. She loses a borrowed necklace, which has unforeseen consequences. Maupassant’s twist ending makes it a memorable listen.

Noteworthy Authors and Timeless Narratives

Spotify audiobooks provide you with world-wide known noteworthy authors and their timeless narratives. You can find Dostoyevksi and Tolstoy in Russian literature. You can read Márquez’s great stories from Spanish literature. There are many authors from English literature, such as Virginia Woolf, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens.

A vibrant header displaying a collage of classic literature scenes and artwork on the Literator platform.
Explore classic literature through vivid scenes depicted in artworks on the Literator platform.

Literator: An Alternative for Audiobook and Summary Enthusiasts

Literator offers a vast library of book summaries across every genre, from drama to mystery. Literator also provides a variety of narration styles to find the perfect match for each piece of content. Choose from Classic and Intimate, or add captivating soundscapes to set the ideal tone. Tailor the mood and ambiance to enrich your listening experience, making every story more immersive and unforgettable.

With Literator, create a customized reading list that keeps your books and articles neatly organized and accessible whenever needed. Track your progress, bookmark your place, and enjoy a seamless reading experience tailored to your preferences.

Why Consider Literator for Literature Summaries and Audiobooks

Literator provides you with a personalized audiobook experience. When signing up for the app, you will choose how many chapters you would like to read easily. Additionally, you will be asked to receive notifications reminding you to listen to your audiobooks. Then, you will choose the narration style you prefer, classic and friendly, and the genres you are interested in.

Additionally, Literator provides audiobooks in different languages, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers. You can even use Literator to learn a new language by accessing content in other languages.

Literator is also available for download on iOS and Android devices, so you can easily access your library, audiobooks, and summaries on the go. Another positive aspect of Literator is that it does not have restrictions like the Spotify audiobook limit.

How Literator’s Summaries, Audiobooks, and Interactive Features Stand Out

Literator is a personalized reading tool that provides specific reading methods and progress tracking. It offers a unique approach to studying novels, capturing the essence of stories through high-quality voiceovers.

Literator tailors reading recommendations according to personal reading levels and goals. It also allows readers to track their development over time. This feature helps readers stay motivated and set achievable goals.

Mobile app interface showing options to sign up, choose book genres like Mystery and Fantasy, and audio book example of Pride and Prejudice.
Explore diverse book genres and start your audiobook journey with an example from Pride and Prejudice.

Accessing Multilingual Content and Rewards with Literator

Literator provides audiobooks in different languages, including English, Turkish, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. When logging into the app, you must choose your preferred language. However, you can always change it.

You can read the same stories in different languages thanks to the multilingual content of Literator. So, you develop your knowledge in another language while enjoying your favorite books.

Frequently Asked Questions

Spotify's audiobook limit restricts users to 15 hours of audiobook listening per month. This feature is only available to users in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and requires a Spotify Premium individual account or a Family or Duo plan with the account holder as the plan manager.

Yes, the 15-hour listening limit renews monthly. However, any unused time does not carry over to the next month.

For those looking for unlimited listening, Literator offers a wide range of genres and multilingual options without the restrictions found on Spotify. It provides tailored reading plans, summaries, and audiobooks, making it an ideal alternative for audiobook enthusiasts.

While Spotify has a diverse range of audiobooks, its 15-hour monthly limit and smaller selection can be restrictive. Literator offers an unlimited library across multiple genres, plus multilingual support in 10 languages without time limitations, making it a better option for avid audiobook listeners.