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In a significant shift, Scribd has announced the discontinuation of its unlimited subscription model for its Everand reading platform, opting for a credit-based system instead. This move is set to take effect in the United States, with plans for international expansion slated for early 2025. The change is designed to enhance user access to a wide array of high-demand content, including titles from the New York Times bestseller list, provided by the Big Five Publishers. This move aligns Scribd with major industry players such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Rakuten Kobo, ensuring simultaneous release of new content across these platforms.
The revamped Everand platform introduces two new subscription tiers for its users:
- Standard Plan: Priced at $11.99 per month, this option allows users to access one premium title.
- Plus Plan: For a monthly fee of $16.99, subscribers can unlock three premium titles.
Both plans provide unlimited access to additional content such as magazines, podcasts, sheet music, and a collection of e-books and audiobooks, including Everand Originals. The key distinction is that bestselling titles from prominent authors will be accessible only through these subscription plans, allowing subscribers to read or listen multiple times to their unlocked titles during their subscription period.
Existing Scribd customers subscribed to the previous unlimited plan will need to transition to the new system once their current subscriptions come up for renewal in 2025. Scribd has clarified that while these changes won't immediately impact current users, the new two-tier plan will be the exclusive option for new subscribers looking to access premium content. Notably, once a user switches to either the Standard or Plus plan, reverting to the previous unlimited model will not be possible.
The introduction of a credit-based system could prove advantageous for users who frequently engage with newly-released audiobooks and e-books. Given that new audiobooks can range in price from $25 to $45 and e-books from $14.99 to $30, the Everand credit system presents a cost-effective alternative, particularly when compared to competitors like Kindle Unlimited, Audible, and Kobo Plus, which have their own sets of limitations and offerings.
A notable drawback of the discontinued unlimited model was the throttling of accounts for power users who consumed multiple titles per month, resulting in access to a less comprehensive catalog. By pivoting to a credit-based system, Scribd seeks to provide greater value to its users, potentially attracting a broader audience due to its extensive collection of audiobooks and e-books.
With this strategic adjustment, Scribd positions Everand as a formidable competitor in the digital reading market, aimed at meeting the diverse needs of both casual readers and avid consumers of popular literature.
