In this article, we will delve into the competition between two prominent players in the book summary app market: Blinkist and Shortform.
We will explore their key features, content selection, quality, interface use, and pricing to help you decide which app is best suited for your needs.
Table of Contents
Blinkist and Shortform: Book Summaries for Everyone
Blinkist and Shortform are both key players in the book summary app market, offering engaging and high-quality summaries of non-fiction books. They aim to distill the most valuable insights and key takeaways, making it easier for readers to digest and understand the content without spending hours reading the entire book.
Both Blinkist and Shortform also offer audio versions of their summaries, catering to busy individuals who prefer to listen while commuting, working out, or multitasking. Additionally, both apps provide free trial periods, allowing prospective users to explore the platforms and determine if the content and approach align with their learning style and preferences.
What Are the Main Features of Blinkist and Shortform?
When comparing the features of Blinkist and Shortform, we can see some similarities and differences. Let’s take a closer look:
| Feature | Blinkist | Shortform |
|---|---|---|
| Content Library | 6,500+ pieces of content, including books (fiction and non-fiction), Guides, collections, and Shortcasts | 1,000+ non-fiction books |
| Subscription Mode | Basic and Premium | Basic and Premium |
| Trial | Free 7-day trial | Free 5-day trial |
| Free Plan | One free daily pick and access to selected collections | One free summary a day and 10 daily insights |
| Premium Subscription | Unlimited access to the entire library, exclusive expert guides, collections, and Shortcasts, download titles for offline access, send reads to Kindle, 2-for-1 premium account sharing | Unlimited access to 1,000+ book guides, download titles for offline access, printable PDF downloads, share key points with friends |
| Unique Features | Blinkist Spaces: share, recommend, and discuss titles with anyone, personalized recommendations, guides with activities and infographics, ability to highlight and save key insights | Book guides are 20-45 minutes long, one-page book summaries, share highlights on Notion |
| Availability | iOS and Android mobile devices, Desktop, Kindle integration, Offline access for premium users | iOS and Android mobile devices, Desktop |
| Pricing | Annual plan: $99.99 per year, Monthly plan: $15.99 | Annual plan: $197.00 per year, Monthly plan: $24.00 |
| Refund Policy | 14-day money-back guarantee | N/A |
| Language | English, German, Spanish | English |
| Ratings | App Store: 4.8 (108.8K reviews), Google Play: 4.5 (100K reviews) | App Store: 4.5 (516K reviews), Google Play: 4 (600K reviews) |
The Content Selection: Blinkist vs Shortform
Blinkist (Review here) boasts an extensive content library with over 6,500 titles, covering a wide range of non-fiction genres. This vast collection allows users to delve into topics that pique their curiosity. In addition to book summaries, Blinkist also offers Shortcasts, which are bite-sized audio episodes summarizing key insights from books.
On the other hand, Shortform has a smaller content library, housing over 1,500 book summaries, articles, and topic guides. While the selection may be more limited compared to Blinkist, Shortform still provides valuable summaries on a variety of subjects.
Blinkist vs Shortform: Quality Matters
Both Blinkist and Shortform maintain high standards of content quality, ensuring that their summaries are informative and well-structured. Blinkist delivers concise 15-minute summaries, known as “Blinks,” that capture the most important points from the books. With 11 years of experience and a team of expert curators, Blinkist offers book summaries of superior quality. The app also pays special attention to the narrators of their audio versions, ensuring that they are talented and engaging speakers who bring the content to life.
Shortform, on the other hand, utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create their audio summaries. While this approach lacks the human touch of Blinkist, Shortform still provides comprehensive and detailed guides that delve deeper into the subject matter. These guides range from 20 to 45 minutes in length and offer actionable insights that readers can apply in their daily lives.
Interface Use: Blinkist vs Shortform
Both Blinkist and Shortform offer intuitive interfaces that are easy to navigate. Blinkist’s design is clean and straightforward, with a focus on simplicity. Users can easily browse through categories, save titles for later, and seamlessly switch between text and audio versions.
Shortform’s interface is also user-friendly, although it may have occasional performance issues. However, the developers consistently address these issues to ensure a smooth user experience.
Pricing: Blinkist vs Shortform
When it comes to pricing, both Blinkist and Shortform offer free and paid versions. Blinkist’s annual plan costs $99.99 per year, while the monthly plan is $15.99. The annual plan provides substantial savings compared to the monthly option.
In comparison, Shortform’s subscription pricing is higher, with the annual plan costing $197.00 per year and the monthly plan at $24.00. However, Shortform offers a 5-day free trial for users to test the platform before committing to a subscription.
Blinkist Premium grants unlimited access to the entire library, exclusive guides, collections, and Shortcasts. Subscribers can also download titles for offline access and send reads to Kindle. Additionally, Blinkist allows subscribers to invite one person to share their Premium plan at no extra cost, making it a more affordable option for those looking for high-quality book summaries.
Blinkist vs Shortform: Making a Decision
If you’re looking for a broader range of topics and extra features, Blinkist may be the perfect match for you. With its extensive content library, shortcasts, and the ability to share a Premium plan with someone else, Blinkist offers a versatile book summary experience.
On the other hand, Shortform provides detailed and comprehensive book summaries with a focus on practical application. Their longer guides offer exercises and references to facilitate a deeper understanding of the subject matter. If you prefer a more time-consuming but thorough approach to learning, Shortform may be the better option for you.
Ultimately, the choice between Blinkist and Shortform depends on your personal preferences and learning style. Both apps offer valuable book summaries, so it’s worth trying out their free trials to see which one resonates with you.
Remember, the journey to knowledge is in your hands. Click on the links below to start your free trials and embark on your quest for learning:
Choose wisely, and happy reading!
