Note: This article was first published on 18 March 2025.
From left to right: Serene Chong, Project Manager of Travellution Media, Ken Tan, Publisher of Mentor Publishing, Julian Chou, General Manager of Rakuten Kobo Asia, Denon Lim, President and Chief Editor of Lingzi Media, Michael Tamblyn, CEO of Rakuten Kobo, Hironori Shimada, Director of Rakuten Asia, Maureen Ho, Chief Editor of Focus Publishing, and Min Wei Lee, Division Manager of Ingram Micro. Photo: Rakuten Kobo.
Digital retailer and publisher Rakuten Kobo today launched their all-you-can-read book subscription service, Kobo Plus in Singapore, giving subscribers unlimited access to over two million eBooks and over 300,000 audiobooks for a monthly fee starting at S$9.99 with a 14-day trial period to see if the service is worth it for you, that should be enough time to read two books.
While the physical book market may be undergoing some hiccups, the global eBook market is projected to grow to US$22.76 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.78% with Asia expected to be the driving force of growth. Kobo hopes that this launch will position the company to reach out to a new generation of readers who prioritise affordability, accessibility, and convenience.
This growth is already being seen in Singapore, where Kobo’s internal data showcases a significant increase in digital reading habits. According to the company, the number of active Kobo readers in Singapore increased by 31% reflecting a rising demand for digital content.
Kobo's internal data showing user growth in Singapore. Source: Rakuten Kobo
One of the main reasons for Kobo's popularity in Singapore is device support for OverDrive and Libby, which allows users to borrow and access NLB library books directly through the e-reader. And now, with the latest addition of Kobo Plus service in Singapore, Rakuten Kobo has further improved the value and variety of content available on the Kobo platform by partnering with with local publishing houses such as Lingzi Media and Focus Publishing to include local literary works into their existing library.
Michael Tamblyn, President & CEO, Rakuten Kobo, said:
With Kobo Plus, we're making reading more accessible and flexible than ever, giving book lovers the freedom to explore a vast and diverse catalogue without limits. Whether it's discovering new authors, diving into different genres, or reading across multiple devices, Kobo Plus is designed to fit seamlessly into the way Singaporeans read today—and how they'll read tomorrow.
We do note that the 2 million e-books available on Kobo Plus does not encompass Kobo's entire catalogue, which sits at above 5 million titles, according to their About Us page. When questioned, Rakuten Kobo mentioned that the decision to include or exclude titles from the Kobo Plus service lie with the publishers they work with in order to strike a balance in offerings.
With plans to add more titles to the collection each month, there are currently three different subscription tiers on offer:
- Kobo Plus Read: Unlimited eBooks for S$9.99 per month
- Kobo Plus Listen: Unlimited audiobooks for S$9.99 per month
- Kobo Plus Read and Listen: Unlimited eBooks and audiobooks for S$12.99 per month
Subscribers of Kobo Plus will be able to rent the eBooks and audiobooks they want from Kobo via their Kobo app from the Play store or App Store or using one of Kobo's portfolio of eBook readers. They also still have the option to buy individual eBooks or audiobooks from Kobo if they wish.
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