How To Choose The Best Blinkist Alternative – Sep 2023
Greetings, fellow book enthusiasts! If you’re anything like me, you have incredible appetite for knowledge, always curious about the bestselling nonfiction books, and a determination to maximize your time.
However, let’s confront the reality – our schedules often overflow, making it a formidable challenge to carve out those cherished reading moments. This is precisely where book summary services come to the rescue, distilling those alluring volumes (dare I say – valuable but boring) into easily digestible key ideas.
You’re likely familiar with Blinkist, aren’t you? It stands as a top book summary app that has captured the attention of many productivity geeks. In my personal opinion nothing delivers as much value for money as Blinkist!
Nevertheless, did you realize there exists an entire universe of alternative book summary services, some of which generously provide free book summaries? Yes, you heard that correctly – free book summary services!
Thus, whether you’re an ardent aficionado of nonfiction literature in search of a cost-free alternative to Blinkist or a busy bee in pursuit of swift insights extracted from your cherished authors, this blog serves as your definitive guide.
More about Book Summary Apps
- Honest Headway app review (gets over 7K clicks/month)
- The best book summary apps
- Shortform vs Blinkist
- getAbstract vs Blinkist
- Blinkist vs Headway App
- Honest Blinkist Review
- Complete Instaread review
- Your ideal Blinkist alternative
Decoding the DNA of a Worthy Blinkist Alternative: What Should You Look Out For?
Choosing the perfect book summary service can be a bit like choosing the perfect book – it’s a personal decision that depends on your unique preferences and needs. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you make an informed choice. Here are some key criteria to consider when selecting your ideal Blinkist alternative:
Variety and Quality of Summaries
Look for a service that offers a wide range of books from various genres. The quality of summaries is equally important. They should be succinct yet comprehensive, providing key insights without overwhelming you with information.
User Experience
An intuitive, user-friendly interface can significantly enhance your reading experience. Consider whether the platform is easy to navigate and if it offers features like offline reading capabilities and audio summaries.
Value for Money
Consider the cost of the subscription and what it offers. Are there enough titles in the library to justify the price? Does the service offer any additional features like podcasts or original content?
Unique Features
Some services may offer unique features that cater to specific reading styles or preferences. For example, Mentorist focuses on actionable steps from each book, appealing to proactive learners, while Speechify allows for speed listening, which is perfect for auditory learners who want to consume knowledge rapidly.
Trial Period
A free trial period can give you a taste of what the service has to offer before you commit to a subscription. This can be a great way to test out the interface, explore the library, and see if the summaries meet your expectations.
Remember, the best Blinkist alternative for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. So take your time, consider these criteria, and happy reading!
The top Blinkist alternative for you
Before we jump into the alternatives, let me remind that Blinkist is the best value for money in the book summary app market.
We’ll dive into each of these best Blinkist alternatives and explore their unique offerings, strengths, and weaknesses to help you make an informed choice.
| Blinkist Alternative | Title Collection | Pros | Cons | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What Blinkist Offers | 6500+ titles | Best value for money – great summaries + podcasts + affordable pricing | Hard to find any, but some might want more than what Blinkist offers | $7/month (paid annually) | All book summary apps lovers |
| Headway App | Over 1500+ non-fiction books in the self-help, business, and psychology genres. | Offers both text and audio summaries. Provides flexibility for readers of all styles. | The focus on certain genres may limit options for those interested in other topics. | $7/month (paid annually). | Individuals seeking personal growth and professional development at a reasonable price. |
| getAbstract | Extensive library of over 25,000+ summaries covering everything from business and politics to science and philosophy. | Vast range of topics. Free version for verified students. | The volume of content might be overwhelming for some users. It is more expensive than competition. | $25/month (paid annually). | Readers craving variety and breadth in their learning journey and willing to pay a premium. |
| StoryShots | Offers over 300+ non-fiction genres. | User-friendly interface and freemium model. | The selection of titles may be limited compared to other services. | $20 per year. | Budget-conscious learners preferring short, concise summaries. Check if the titles you want to read/listen are covered by Storyshots! |
| Sumizeit | Offers 10-minute overviews of over 1000+ popular non-fiction books. | High-quality summaries providing comprehensive insights in a short time. | 10-minute format may not suit those seeking more detailed summaries. Only text summaries are currently offered. | Starts at $5/month (paid annually). | Busy individuals seeking quick, high-quality reads but don’t mind not having audio versions. |
| Mentorist | Offers around 500+ non-fiction titles. | Provides practical applications from each book, enhancing learning outcomes. | Focus on action steps may not appeal to those seeking traditional summaries. | $4/month (paid annually). | Proactive learners wanting to apply what they read directly to their lives. |
| Shortform | Offers around 1500+ titles | Provides an in-depth summary, longer than other apps | Some might find the 45 minute summaries too long | $15/month (paid annually) | Readers who want to get a longer & in-depth summary of non-fiction books |
Headway App: Making Headway in Your Reading Journey
Title Collection: Headway App has covers over 1500+ non-fiction books, particularly in the self-help, business, and psychology genres.
Pros: It offers both text and audio summaries, providing flexibility for readers of all styles.
Cons: It’s focus on certain genres may limit options for those interested in other topics.
Pricing: While it offers some free content, full access requires a premium subscription (priced at $7/month, paid annually).
Best for: Individuals seeking personal growth and professional development at a cheap price.
getAbstract: A World of Knowledge at Your Fingertips
Title Collection: With an extensive library of over 25,000+ summaries, getAbstract covers everything from business and politics to science and philosophy.
Pros: Its vast range of topics makes it an excellent choice for knowledge seekers with diverse interests. There is a completely free version for verified students.
Cons: The sheer volume of content might be overwhelming for some users. It is more expensive than competition.
Pricing: getAbstract operates on a freemium model, with more extensive access available via subscription. Subscription is priced at $25/month, paid annually)
Best for: Readers who crave variety and breadth in their learning journey and willing to pay a bit of premium.
StoryShots: Your Quick Shot of Knowledge
Title Collection: StoryShots offers over 300+ non-fiction genres.
Pros: Its user-friendly interface and freemium model offer accessibility and ease of use.
Cons: The selection of titles (in hundreds) may be limited compared to other services.
Pricing: StoryShots provides free access to a limited number of summaries, with unlimited access available for a monthly fee. Annual plan is $20 per year, probably the cheapest in the market today.
Best for: Budget-conscious learners who prefer short, concise summaries. But check if the titles are you to read/listen are covered by Storyshots!
Sumizeit: Summarizing Knowledge in a Snap
Title Collection: Sumizeit offers 10-minute overviews of over 1000+ popular non-fiction books.
Pros: The quality of the summaries is high, providing comprehensive insights in a short time.
Cons: The 10-minute format may not suit those seeking more detailed summaries. Currently only text summaries are offered.
Pricing: Sumizeit operates on a subscription model, pricing starts at $5/month, paid annually.
Best for: Busy individuals looking for quick, high-quality reads but don’t mind not having audio versions.
Mentorist: Turning Knowledge into Action
Title Collection: Mentorist offers around 500+ non-fiction titles.
Pros: It provides practical applications from each book, enhancing learning outcomes.
Cons: The focus on action steps may not appeal to those seeking traditional summaries.
Pricing: Mentorist operates on a subscription model at $4/month (paid annually).
Best for: Proactive learners wanting to apply what they read directly to their lives.
Shortform: Empowering Readers with In-Depth Insights
Title Collection: Shortform boasts a diverse library of over 1000+ non-fiction titles, ensuring there’s something for every avid reader out there.
Pros: The service stands out for its in-depth book guides that dive deeper than most summaries, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of each work.
Cons: The detailed nature of Shortform’s content may be too time-consuming for those seeking quick, bite-sized summaries.
Pricing: Shortform operates on a subscription model at $8/month (paid annually).
Best for: Readers who appreciate thorough insights and have the time to delve into comprehensive book guides.
Choosing Your Perfect Match: How to Select Your Blinkist Alternative
Selecting the right Blinkist alternative is a personal journey. It all comes down to your unique reading needs and goals. However, regardless of how you look at it, Blinkist is the top book summary app unless you are looking for something specific like a vast title collection that getAbstract offers or a long summary like Shortform offers.
Disclosure: This site is user supported. Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can help me buy a coffee or two at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. These are products I’ve personally used and stand behind.
FAQs about Blinkist Alternatives
Is Blinkist the book summary service in the market today?
Blinkist stands tall against other book summary services due to its title collection, pricing and summary quality. Headway App is priced closer to Blinkist, but offers only a quarter of the title collection size. getAbstract offers 4 times bigger library, but also costs 3-4 times more. In my opinion, Blinkist alternative offers the best value for money of all book summary apps!
Why would someone consider using a Blinkist alternative?
There are several compelling reasons to explore Blinkist alternatives:
Diverse Book Selection: Alternatives often have a wider range of book summaries, covering various genres, including fiction and nonfiction.
Flexible Pricing: Some alternatives offer different pricing models, making it possible to find a plan that suits your budget.
Unique Features: Different alternatives may come with special features like actionable insights, audio summaries, ability to download book summaries or integrations with other apps, enhancing your reading experience.
Varied Content Quality: Depending on your preferences, you might find that alternative summaries better match your reading objectives and interests.
What criteria should I consider when evaluating Blinkist alternatives?
– When assessing Blinkist alternatives, four key criteria can help you make an informed choice:
– Features: Consider the functionality of the app or service, including features like highlighting, downloading summaries, or compatibility with other platforms.
– Catalog: Evaluate the diversity and size of the alternative’s catalog of book summaries.
– Quality: Examine the overall quality of the summaries, considering factors such as depth and clarity.
– Original Content: Check if the alternative offers additional content beyond book summaries, such as original articles or insights.
Which Blinkist alternative is recommended for 2023?
Best priced: Headway App, priced at $7/month, paid annually
Best summary collection: getAbstract, priced at $25/month
Detailed summaries: Shortform (typically offers 30-45 minute summaries), priced at $15/month, paid annually
Free summaries: Sumiziet offers partially free services, but so does Blinkist. Blinkist offers 1 free summary daily.
How does the pricing of Blinkist alternatives compare to Blinkist itself?
– Pricing for Blinkist alternatives can vary widely. Some may offer more affordable subscription options, while others might have higher fees. It’s important to review the pricing details of each alternative to find one that fits your budget.
Can I try Blinkist alternatives for free before subscribing?
– Yes, many Blinkist alternatives offer free trial periods, allowing users to explore their features and book summaries before committing to a subscription. The duration of free trials may differ from one alternative to another.
Do Blinkist alternatives provide audio summaries?
– Some Blinkist alternatives do offer audio summaries as part of their services. However, the availability and quality of audio content can vary. If you’re interested in audio summaries, be sure to check the features of each alternative.
How can I make the most of Blinkist alternatives?
– To maximize your experience with Blinkist alternatives, consider your reading goals and preferences. Explore the catalog to find books that align with your interests, use available features like highlighting and note-taking, and take advantage of any actionable insights or extra content provided by the alternative.
What if I can’t find a specific book in a Blinkist alternative’s catalog?
– If you can’t locate a particular book in an alternative’s catalog, it may be due to the specific focus of that service. Some alternatives prioritize summarizing bestsellers or certain genres. In such cases, you might need to explore multiple alternatives to find summaries of your desired books.
How do Blinkist alternatives compare to reading the entire book?
– Blinkist alternatives offer condensed summaries of books, providing key insights and takeaways. However, they may not capture the full depth, humor, or narrative style of the original book. If you value the complete reading experience, including the author’s perspective and storytelling, you may find that reading the entire book or listening to the audiobook provides a more comprehensive understanding.
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Author also writes at his Medium site.
