(Top 3) Best Book Summary Apps [Jan 2024] – Tested & Reviewed

How did I decide which was the best of all book summary apps in the market?

• Quality of book summary: Remember, even ChatGPT can write book summaries. I want a human to have read the book and pick out the best parts and deliver the insights. If the book summary quality is average, I won’t consider the app regardless of how cheap it is. I won’t feed my brain with junk!
• Price: I don’t want to spend a fortune, the price needs to be reasonable (even though I’m pretty generous when investing on myself).
• Title collections: One of the main reasons to get a book summary app is to skim through books and it doesn’t help if the app doesn’t cover a wide selection.
• How easy is it to use: I need a app that is easy to use works on all my devices in sync. I want to start a title when I brush, and finish it on my car’s apple play without any additional clicks.

This are my top 3 picks!

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.

# 1 – Blinkist

Blinkist is the most popular book summary app in the market today for a reason – it delivers the best value for money amongst the ever growing book summary app market. I have been a paying subscriber for over 2 years and have not been disappointed.

Title collection

Overall Rating

★★★★★

With over 6500+ titles, covering most bestselling books Blinkist offers something for everyone. In addition, you’ll also find expert-led audio courses, podcasts, limited audio series and more.

Quality of Summaries

The summaries are high quality and cover the key insights from each book adequately. They are also quick and easy to listen to, thanks to their short format – typically around 15 minutes in length – which makes it perfect for busy people on the go. I personally like the actual human beings who talk – the voice actors are top notch and they keep you engaged!

Offline reading & listening also works like a breeze! The mobile app is easy to use (for reading), but I prefer to read them from the desktop version though.

Cost

Blinkist costs around $8/month on annual plan, and around $15 when paid monthly.

Pros / Cons

Pros:

• High quality summaries – the core concepts of the book are captured effectively
• A very comprehensive library – 5500+ non fiction titles, and an easy use to use interface
• Affordable pricing + 7 day free trial
• Brand awareness & supports multiple languages

Cons:

• Title collection isn’t as big as getAbstract, but I don’t know anyone who would read 25000+ titles anyway.

Verdict

If you’re looking for a reliable, high quality summary app that covers all the top titles and is affordable too, then go with Blinkist. I highly recommend it!​ What is the best book summary app? – Blinkist it is, by a long shot!!

Blinkist – Apple App Store / Google Play reviews

#2- Headway

Overall Rating

★★★★

Headway app is another top contender in the book summary app market. While its title collection may not be as big or comprehensive as getAbstract and Blinkist, it does have some unique features that set it apart from the rest.

Read a full review of Headway app.

Title Collection

It’s hard to find out exactly how many titles are available on Headway app, but one of its pages suggest 1500+. We’ll go with that. Is that enough? Maybe. But if I were you, I’d want more choices. Of course, you can read or listen to the summaries, and the user interface is similar to Blinkist.

Quality of Summaries

Headway’s book summary service does a decent job of summarizing all the important ideas / core ideas. Of course, a book summary won’t give you in depth detail or experience of reading the entire book, nor is the intention. And Headway does a good job of giving you enough to decide.

Cost

Different versions give me different results. Desktop version gave me pricing of around $70/year, and mobile app gave me few dozen options. The monthly plan seems to be $19.99 and is expensive compared to Blinkist. Here’s a detailed post comparing Headway vs Blinkist.

Pros / Cons

Pros

• Decent quality summaries
• Affordable pricing on annual plan ($70/years) + 7 day free trial
• Great brand awareness

Cons

• Title collection is not as big as as Blinkist or getAbstract, but 1500+ titles may be enough for most people.
• Expensive monthly plans

Verdict

If you’re looking for a reliable, good quality book summary service that offers reasonable pricing and the right choices to help you decide if a book is worth your time, then Headway is a great option. But if you’re looking for an extensive library of titles or more affordable pricing options, then you’re better off with Blinkist or getAbstract.

Overall, Headway is a solid choice, but not the best.​ Here’s a Blinkist vs Headway comparison if you want more insight.

Headway App – Apple App Store / Google Play reviews

#3- getAbstract

Overall Rating

★★★★

Whether you’re looking for a summary of a book you want to read or just a general overview, getAbstract is a good choice. It summarizes more than 25000+ titles and easily beats the rest in terms of title collection.

The app summarizes books and videos and comes with expert-curated channels. It’s easy to browse through the content and find what you’re looking for. In addition to the text & audio format book summaries, getAbstract’s library also includes summaries of reports, articles, videos, and podcasts. Read a full review of getAbstract here.

Read full review of getAbstract. Read a comparison of getabstract vs Blinkist!

Title collection

With over 25000+ titles, getAbstract offers a comprehensive collection of summaries for you to browse through.

So if you’re looking for an easy way to stay up-to-date on your favorite books, as well as get a quick overview of new titles that are being released, then check out getAbstract today. It’s likely to have you covered.

Quality of Summaries

getAbstract’s founder Rolf Dobelli (author of the bestseller – The Art of Thinking Clearly) is a recognized expert on condensing complex ideas, and the summaries are written by experienced editors from a wide range of different industries.

In addition to providing high-quality summaries that accurately capture the essence of a book’s content, getAbstract also offers audio summaries (& some video format as well) to help you review and retain more of the book’s key points.

Some are short summaries less than 7-8 mins, and some can be slightly longer 15 minutes+. The focus is to capture the essence of the book, and not just stick to a number.

Cost

GetAbstract offers an Enterprise plan for businesses. The premium version includes full access for your company’s employees. It also comes with a customized company portal. The company can also use the site’s discount pricing.

Personal subscriptions start at $15/month (annually paid). Students can get a FREE version covering over 5000+ titles.

Pros / Cons

Pros

• High quality summaries, best in class
• Wide collection of titles – 25000+, tops the market
• Students get a FREE version – access to over 5000+ Free book summaries / $99 per year for unlimited access
• Multiple languages supported
• Brand awareness & support

Cons

• Slightly pricier compared to competition (when paid monthly), but becomes very affordable when paid annually.

Verdict

Overall, if you’re looking for a reliable and easy-to-use app that delivers high-quality summaries and insights, then getAbstract is definitely worth checking out.​ In my view, it is probably the best book summary app if you don’t mind shelling out a few dollars extra every month.

Almost all the summaries nail the key insights of the book and it’s really easy to use. And the best part is that students get access to the app for free!

Very highly recommended – Go check it out today for free.​

Headway App – Apple App Store / Google Play reviews

Runner Ups

Instaread

Instaread’s title collection is decent with over 5500+ and is comparable to Blinkist. What I didn’t particularly like about Instaread was the quality (& length of the summaries). Read a detailed Instaread review here. You can access Instaread on both desktop and mobile platforms. You can search by category or title, and read or listen to book summaries. You can also download your favorite titles for use offline.

Instaread also offers a 7-day free trial. Instaread price is slightly higher than Blinkist and you save when signing up for an annual plan. With the annual plan, you’ll save 12% over the monthly rate which is far below what competition offers. You can also purchase full audiobooks within the app. Instaread is a great app for people who want to read more books but don’t have the time.

Shortform

Shortform stands out with its comprehensive book guides packed with actionable exercises and references, offering an in-depth understanding of the subject matter. However, the lengthy nature of these summaries, often exceeding 40 minutes, might pose a challenge for some readers.

Blinkist, on the other hand, presents concise 15-minute summaries that distil the most crucial points of a book. While these are well-structured and informative, they may not offer the depth and practical insights found in Shortform’s summaries.

In the end, the choice between Shortform and Blinkist boils down to your preference. If you’re up for thorough, 45-minute guides with actionable takeaways, Shortform is for you. But if you prefer quick, 15-minute rundowns of key points, Blinkist will suit you better. Please do note that Shortform’s collection is way smaller (1200+ titles) in comparison to Blinkist (6500+ titles).

12 Min

The first thing that caught my attention is the popularity of 12min on Android vs Apple. 12min seems way more popular on Android than Apple – I’d be wary if I only have an iPhone or an iPad.

The next thing that caught me by surprise is the pricing – a whooping $109/year – for only 2500+ titles!

The audio version of the book summaries felt a little slow (& AI generated – but I’m not sure). The voice quality on Blinkist is much more relatable and more likely to help me keep listening.

Try 12min if you are curious. May be you’ll find something that I didn’t.

Sumizeit

Sumizeit is another alternative to Blinkist if your focus is getting a decent quality product at a very low cost. At roughly $5/month, I’m not sure if there are too many competitors at this price band.

The book summary qualities are decent. The audio versions sound a bit robotic, but I run them at 1.25X speed to make them sound a little more interesting.

There are a few bestsellers that are available for free if you just want to try the App.

Sumiziet also offers infographics summarizing the books, available as an add-on service.

StoryShots

Whether you’re an avid reader or a novice, the StoryShots book summary app can help you learn essential takeaways from the bestselling nonfiction books in the world. This app curates key ideas from books, podcasts, blogs, and YouTube videos. You can choose a book from a list of categories, including business, leadership, productivity, and more.

This app has over 4.4K star reviews (5.55K reviews). Users say it’s faster and more convenient than other book summaries. It provides an overview of a book’s key points and all the most important quotes. It includes animated and text summaries. You can also listen to the book’s audio or watch the video.

In addition to a summary, the app also includes actionable takeaways.

You’ll be prompted to pick an objective, and it will tell you the steps you should take to accomplish it. Its user interface is also convenient. It includes an editor’s pick feature, which allows you to share your favorite summaries with other users. Its mobile app has been upgraded to include a responsive design.

Users also have the option of upgrading to a premium plan. It costs just a few dollars a month, and includes additional content in video and audio formats. You can also get a free 3-day trial. The subscription automatically renews at the end of the term.

Full list of book summary apps

1. Blinkist – Perfect for busy bees who want to soak up the key insights from top-rated books in about 15 minutes. Pricing starts at $7-$8/month, paid annually – best value for money!
2. Headway – A top pick for learners who appreciate bite-sized summaries of nonfiction bestsellers. Pricing starts at $7/month, paid annually – great value for money!
3. GetAbstract – The biggest title collection of all -25000+ books and a free version for students. Pricing starts at $29/month.
4. Sumizeit – The best match for people who want easy-to-understand book summaries in five minutes or less. Pricing starts at $4.99/month.
5. Instaread – Just right for those who want to get the main points of a book on the double. Pricing starts at $8.99/month.
6. StoryShots – Perfect for readers who love free audiobooks, book summaries, and cliff notes. Pricing starts at $2.99/month.
7. Mentorist – Tailored for personal development enthusiasts who enjoy learning through practical steps. Pricing starts at $9.99/month.
8. Deepstash – Spot-on for those hunting for free book summaries and key ideas from popular books.
9. 12min – A stellar choice for readers who want insightful summaries that can be devoured in 12 minutes. Pricing starts at $12.99/month.
10. Readingraphics – Perfect for visual learners who prefer infographic, audio, and text summaries. Pricing starts at $7.99/month.
11. Readitfor.me – A gem for business teams seeking professional development through summarized key insights from leading business and personal development books. Pricing starts at $29.99/month.
12. Bookey – Just the ticket for those who want to unlock big ideas from world-class books in just a few minutes. Pricing starts at $69.99/year.
13. QuickRead – A go-to for readers who want to learn something new every day through quick reads. Pricing starts at $4.99/month.
14. Shortform – Ideal for readers who crave detailed, in-depth summaries filled with actionable insights. Pricing starts at $20/month.
15. Soundview – If you’re a business enthusiast looking for key insights from top business books, Soundview is your new best friend. Their pricing begins at $8.50/month.
16. BookRags – Perfect if you’re a student or a literature lover. BookRags offers detailed study guides and summaries of classic literature. You can get started for as low as $19.99/month.
17. Quiddity – Quiddity is a great choice for those who love learning from non-fiction books but are short on time. They offer concise 4-minute summaries. Pricing starts at $4.99/month. 
18. Four Minute Books – As the name suggests, this app delivers bite-sized book summaries that can be read in just four minutes. And the best part? It’s completely free!
19. FlashBooks – If you’re a busy professional or entrepreneur, FlashBooks could be your secret weapon. It delivers the key takeaways from the best non-fiction books in under 20 minutes. Pricing starts at $20/month.
20. Snapreads – Snapreads is like your personal book club, offering book summaries, key insights, and actionable takeaways in just 15 minutes. The pricing starts at $14.99/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Do I Need Book Summary Apps

1. You can read professional summaries of popular books for free/very cheap.

If you’re someone who loves to read, then you know how expensive buying new books can be. With a book summary app / website for book summaries, you can read summaries of popular books for free. This way, you can save money and still get your reading fix.

2. You can find new books to read.

If you’re looking for new books to read, a book summary app is a great place to start. On these apps, you’ll find summaries of popular books, as well as recommendations for other books that you might enjoy. This way, you can broaden your reading horizons and find new authors and genres that you love.

3. You can learn about a book before you commit to reading it.

Sometimes, it’s hard to know if a book is going to be worth your time. With a book summary app, you can get an idea of what a book is about before you commit to reading the whole thing. This way, you can make sure that the book is something that you’re actually interested in and that it’s worth your time.

What is a Book Summary App?

(Skip this section if you are familiar with Book Summary apps)

Book summary apps software are digital tools that help readers quickly and easily access the key concepts from their favorite books. These book summaries apps can include nonfiction book summaries, chapter highlights, key insights, and other information about the book’s content.

Many people use these apps to stay up to date on their favorite books, as well as to get a quick overview of new titles that are being released. In fact, you might find that book summary apps are one of the most useful productivity tools you’ll ever find to help you learn and remember important information.

What makes a Good Book Summary App

First of all, it’s important to consider what features should be included in a quality book summary app. Some of the most popular features include:

App offers a wide selection of content

Most book summary apps offer access to summaries of only nonfiction books. You should look for an app that offers access to a wide range of different content, such as summaries, chapter highlights, key insights, shortcasts and ability to buy the actual book if you want to.

Quality of the summaries

Of course, the most important feature of a book summary app is the quality and accuracy of its summaries. The books summarised via the app need to be crisp but without losing the essence of the book. Look for an app that offers high-quality summaries (& also audio summaries) that are written by expert editors.

Summarizing books is not an easy task, and it requires a lot of time and effort to do it well. So, the best book summary apps are those that can provide accurate, high-quality summaries that accurately capture the essence of the book’s content.

User reviews and ratings

This can be a good way to get an idea of how others have found the app and its content. It can also help you to choose between different apps, based on reviews from users who have similar reading interests to you.

In addition to independent reviews on the internet, also look out for the ratings on Google play store & App Store.

Cost

If you are looking for an app that offers a lot of content, you may need to pay for a subscription. Consider your budget and whether the cost is worth it for the content and features that you need.

Most book summary apps offer a 3-to-7-day free trial period or a limited number of downloads before they require you to purchase a subscription.

Check if the app offers a free trial and make use of the free trial / free version to assess the app thoroughly before you commit to a Monthly subscription.

Here are some helpful career/leadership related blogs

• Careers– Agile Coach, RTE, Product Owner, Scrum Master, QA Manager
• Career development plan
• Career growth
• Career change at 40
• Project Management
• Managing Managers
• IT Career switch
• Software Engineering career path
• Agility, Agile Testing
• Remote leadership / Leadership traits

Other Productivity / Tools posts that may interest you

• Productivity
• Book summary apps – Headway App vs Blinkist vs getAbstract
• AI Writers: / Blogging – Jasper, Writesonic, Article Forge , Copy AI, Anyword, Writecream, Copymatic, Quillbot, Peppertype, Jasper AI (pricing) &
• Work From Home tools: Jabra

Author also writes at his Medium site.