I’ve at all times been a fan of non-fiction, however maintaining with all of the books I needed to learn felt unimaginable. That’s after I found some standard guide abstract apps: Shortform, Headway, and Blinkist.
After attempting them out, I discovered that Shortform supplied probably the most detailed summaries, making it my best choice again then.
However issues have modified, and I needed to see how every app at the moment performs. So, I explored all of them once more to seek out out what each brings to the desk. On this put up, I’ll break down the strengths and weaknesses of every app and share which one could be one of the best match for you.
How I’m Tackling This Comparability
I didn’t wish to rely solely on different folks’s opinions this time. As a substitute, I made a decision to go hands-on with every platform to check them out for myself. I explored all the pieces from signing as much as diving into the options.
My aim was to expertise these apps similar to any new consumer would. I needed to get an actual sense of what each provides.
And belief me, I’ve discovered loads of professionals, cons, and even just a few surprises alongside the best way. I’ll be sharing all of the highs and lows with you, similar to a buddy supplying you with the within scoop.
The Consumer Expertise (Or Lack Of It)
How simple an app is to make use of could make all of the distinction. I examined Shortform, Headway, and Blinkist throughout each desktop and cell to see how each stacks up. Right here’s what I discovered:
Shortform’s Consumer Expertise
On desktop, Shortform provides a well-designed interface that’s simple to make use of. Every thing feels well-organized, and it’s easy to change between summaries, guides, and different options. The structure is clear and the navigation is clean, which makes studying on an even bigger display nice.
The cell app can also be fairly good. It’s received an identical clear design and it’s fast to load, making it simple to learn summaries or discover new content material on the go.
Nevertheless, typically I discovered the app a bit full of options, which could possibly be a bit overwhelming for those who’re new to it.
Headway’s Consumer Expertise
Headway is constructed purely for cell, and it exhibits. The app is straightforward, smooth, and fast to navigate. It’s nice for grabbing fast summaries and skimming by means of “key factors” in your cellphone. The interface is visually interesting, with clean scrolling and good animations that make it enjoyable to make use of.
Nevertheless, the large draw back is that there’s no desktop model. For those who choose to learn on a bigger display or swap between gadgets, this could be a dealbreaker.
Headway is de facto targeted on the cell expertise, so it really works finest for those who’re a phone-first consumer.
Blinkist’s Consumer Expertise
Blinkist provides an identical stage of comfort on each desktop and cell. The desktop model has an easy structure, making it simple to seek out summaries, collections, and audio variations. I appreciated how rapidly I might bounce from one “blink” to the following with out a lot fuss.
The cell app is equally intuitive, preserving issues easy with a neat structure that’s simple to navigate. It’s user-friendly, whether or not you’re studying or listening to a abstract.
The one hiccup I observed was occasional slowdowns, particularly when switching between studying and audio mode.
Listening In – Audio High quality Take a look at
As somebody who’s at all times juggling duties, I like having the choice to take heed to guide summaries. So, I attempted the audio variations from Shortform, Headway, and Blinkist whereas doing chores and operating errands.
Shortform’s Audio
Shortform’s audio summaries had been clear and interesting. The narration was regular, and the voices sounded pure, which made it simple to comply with alongside.
Headway’s Audio
The audio on Headway felt a bit off in comparison with the others. The narration was a bit robotic at occasions, which made it more durable to remain targeted, particularly throughout longer summaries.
Blinkist’s Audio
Blinkist’s audio actually stood out for me. The narration was clean and full of life, making the listening expertise extra pleasurable. The narrators added a little bit of character to the summaries, which made it really feel much less like a textbook and extra like a narrative being instructed.
The Guide Abstract Showdown
Whereas guide summaries are the core providing, these apps additionally embrace quite a lot of options designed to reinforce your studying expertise. I explored every app’s further instruments to see which of them had been genuinely helpful and which felt like fluff.
Shortform’s Options
Shortform goes past simply summarizing books—it goals to be a complete studying platform with a variety of instruments. Right here’s what stands out:
- Uncover Tab: This tab gives personalised suggestions, making it simpler to find new and standard content material aligned together with your pursuits.
- Books Tab: That is the place all obtainable guide summaries are neatly listed, supplying you with an organized view of your complete assortment.
- Articles Tab: Past books, Shortform provides summarized articles on quite a lot of subjects, which is nice for staying up to date on present concepts and developments.
- My Library Tab: Customers can save and set up their favourite summaries, creating a private assortment for straightforward entry later.
- Search Tab: The search function allows customers to rapidly discover particular books, articles, or subjects, making it environment friendly to find desired content material.
In 2023, Shortform additionally launched Shortform AI, a Chrome extension that permits customers to summarize any on-line content material—articles, emails, YouTube movies, and extra. It gives not simply fundamental summaries, but in addition provides context, suggests associated assets, and even provides opposing viewpoints, giving customers a well-rounded understanding of the fabric.
For those who recognize having detailed summaries, cross-references, and extra instruments to discover numerous subjects, Shortform’s intensive options make it a stable alternative.
Headway’s Options
Headway takes an easier, extra targeted strategy. It provides options geared towards quick studying and private development:
- Guide Summaries: Headway gives over 1,200 textual content and audio summaries throughout completely different subjects like productiveness, finance, and relationships.
- Personalised Suggestions: Collaborating with psychological well being professionals, Headway tailors content material suggestions based mostly on particular person consumer wants.
- Challenges: Headway provides challenge-based studying experiences, corresponding to 28-day or 15-day challenges, which are supposed to increase self-growth or enhance particular expertise. You’ll be able to even problem buddies or colleagues for a extra aggressive edge.
- Spaced Repetition: This memorization approach helps customers retain concepts higher. Flashcards are saved in a particular part, making it simple to overview key insights commonly.
- Monitor Your Progress: Headway has a progress-tracking dashboard that screens your studying journey, every day targets, and general efficiency in comparison with different customers in the neighborhood.
Whereas there’s no official affirmation about AI utilization, Headway doubtless makes use of AI for drafting summaries. Nevertheless, the summaries preserve a pure tone, and most audio summaries have shifted to human narrators, preserving the listening expertise clean and interesting.
Blinkist’s Options
Blinkist provides a mixture of audio and text-based options, making it an interesting alternative for customers preferring a extra auditory studying expertise:
- 15-Minute Summaries: Blinkist gives concise, 15-minute guide summaries that may be learn or listened to, providing a fast overview of key concepts.
- Content material Choice: With over 6,500 titles throughout numerous genres, Blinkist covers a broad vary of subjects.
- Podcast Summaries (Shortcasts): Customers can take heed to 15-minute summaries of standard podcasts, offering bite-sized studying experiences.
- Autoplay Function: This function permits customers to play a number of summaries back-to-back, making it superb for on-the-go studying.
- Tagging and Highlighting: Blinkist’s tagging system and highlighting function make it simple to arrange and revisit probably the most vital insights.
- Contemporary Consumer Interface: The app’s up to date look options extra coloration and pictures, enhancing the general consumer expertise.
Blinkist’s CEO confirmed using AI to hurry up draft creation, however the human contact stays robust all through the summaries. The app ensures that the majority audio summaries are narrated by people, preserving the listening expertise pure and interesting.
Pricing – Definitely worth the Cash?
In the case of pricing, all three apps have completely different prices, subscription plans, and approaches to free trials and reductions. Right here’s what I discovered about every:
Shortform’s Pricing
Shortform provides two subscription choices: a month-to-month plan at $24 monthly and an annual plan at $16.42 monthly (billed yearly).
Each plans present entry to over 1,000 in-depth guide guides, 500+ articles, highlighting and note-taking options, PDF downloads, audio narrations, and neighborhood discussions. Shortform additionally provides a 5-day free trial, permitting you to discover the complete options earlier than committing.
The annual plan comes with a 31% low cost in comparison with the month-to-month fee, making it a cheaper alternative for those who plan to make use of the app long-term. For those who’re somebody who enjoys digging deep into non-fiction, Shortform’s intensive content material, cross-references, and actionable workout routines make it definitely worth the funding.
Nevertheless, for those who’re in search of fast summaries, you may discover the associated fee excessive in comparison with different apps that provide shorter summaries for much less.
Headway’s Pricing
Headway provides a free tier that offers entry to 1 new guide abstract every day, however just for that particular day, with the choice being random.
For paid plans, the month-to-month subscription prices $14.99, whereas the annual membership is $89.99, making it considerably cheaper monthly. For those who join proper after the onboarding quiz, Headway provides a 33% low cost, which lowers the associated fee even additional.
They typically supply a 46% low cost by means of unique associate coupons, making it one of many extra inexpensive choices for long-term use.
Nevertheless, there’s no free trial for his or her paid plans, which could make some customers hesitant.
Blinkist’s Pricing
Blinkist additionally has a free tier with entry to 1 new abstract every day, chosen randomly.
Their month-to-month plan is barely costlier at $15.99, whereas the annual subscription prices $99.99. Blinkist gives a 7-day free trial with the annual plan, which lets you strive the complete options earlier than deciding.
For those who join by means of an unique associate, Blinkist provides a 35% low cost, making the annual price extra aggressive. In addition they supply greater reductions throughout occasions like Black Friday, typically bringing the first-year price to round $60, just like Headway.
Who Would Win?
After totally testing Shortform, Headway, and Blinkist, I’ve received a transparent winner: Shortform.
Why?
Shortform goes past simply providing summaries—it gives an in depth, chapter-by-chapter breakdown that retains the essence of the unique guide. The inclusion of clarifications, counterpoints, and workout routines provides depth to the educational expertise, making it really feel extra like a condensed examine information than a easy abstract.
Sure, it’s the costliest of the three, however for me, the excellent content material and added options make it price the associated fee.
However Don’t Rely the Others Out
- Headway is unbelievable for those who’re in search of a quick and easy learn. Its “key factors” strategy is right for while you’re in a rush or simply wish to skim the fundamentals.
- Blinkist provides a superb steadiness between depth and brevity. It’s budget-friendly and excellent for individuals who need a mixture of studying and audio, making it versatile for various studying types.
