Both Shortform and Blinkist provide book summaries designed to help readers grasp the core ideas of nonfiction books quickly. While they share the same goal, they have distinct features that set them apart.
Content Depth and Quality
Are you looking into Shortform vs. Blinkist but don’t know which product is right for you? When it comes to content depth and quality, Shortform and Blinkist take different approaches to summarizing books.
Blinkist is known for its ultra-concise, 15-minute summaries that highlight the core ideas of a book in a digestible format. This makes it great for those who want a quick, surface-level understanding of a topic.
Shortform provides in-depth, highly analytical guides that don’t just distill the main ideas but also expand on them. Rather than simply condensing a book into bite-sized takeaways, Shortform offers detailed explanations, additional insights, and even commentary that connects concepts across multiple books. This makes for a rich learning experience, as readers can gain a deep understanding of the material.
Let’s dive into more details on each.
Learning Experience
When comparing the learning experience of Shortform and Blinkist, it’s clear that each platform caters to a different style of learning. Blinkist is built for speed and convenience, while Shortform focuses on depth and engagement.
Blinkist offers a passive, time-efficient experience:
- Ideal for quick overviews of books
- Great for getting the gist of a book while commuting, exercising, or multitasking
- Emphasizes brevity over nuance
- Best suited for casual learners or those exploring topics at a surface level
Shortform, on the other hand, is designed for active learning:
- Provides detailed book guides enriched with explanations, context, and analysis
- Includes commentary that connects ideas across books and disciplines
- Features interactive elements like reflection questions and exercises
- Encourages critical thinking and long-term knowledge retention
While Blinkist is great for skimming the highlights, Shortform feels more like a guided learning experience. It’s the difference between reading a quick memo and sitting down for a thoughtful study session. For readers who want to understand, apply, and remember what they’re learning, Shortform is the right choice. For readers who are pressed for time and are looking for just the key points, Blinkist might be right for them.
Unique Features
In addition to book guides and summaries, both platforms bring something unique to the table. Some of Blinkist’s special features are only available with their Pro plan, while Shortform’s features are included in every subscription.
Shortform:
- Articles: In addition to book guides, Shortform covers news articles, trending topics, and self-improvement tips, providing deeper analysis and context on current events.
- Highlighting and Note-Taking: Users can highlight key passages and take notes within the app, making it easier to retain and revisit important insights.
- Audio Narrations: For listening to guides on the go
- Browser Extension: Allows users to integrate learning and summaries into their web browsing experience, making it easier to reference insights while working or researching online
- Podcast Guides: Guides to many of the most popular podcasts
- Exports: You can download guides as PDFs or export them to your Kindle.
Blinkist:
- Daily Recommendations: Helps users find new books based on their interests and reading habits
- Audio Narrations: Human-narrated audio versions of guides
- AI Assistant: Blinkist Pro members get access to an AI assistant
- Podcast summaries: Summaries of popular podcasts
- Spaces: Member-led discussion groups within the app
Pricing and Value
When it comes to pricing, Shortform’s services do come in at a slightly higher price point, but you must also factor in the value of the services.
Blinkist offers two tiers of membership:
- A Premium plan that provides access to their full library
- A Pro plan that includes their AI Assistant
This tiered approach gives users flexibility, especially if they’re only looking for a light, occasional reading habit.
Shortform, by contrast, keeps things simple with a single all-inclusive membership. There are no tiers or upsells—everything is included, and they’re constantly adding more content. Shortform also has a large library of premium, human-written guides written by professionals. And it offers steep discounts for those who pay annually vs. monthly.
Which One Should You Choose?
Ultimately, your choice between Shortform vs. Blinkist depends on what you’re looking for in a book summary app:
If you want quick, surface-level summaries to listen to on the go, Blinkist is a solid option.
If you want deep, insightful book guides with interactive elements that enhance comprehension, Shortform is the better choice.
For those who value in-depth learning and want a richer experience beyond simple summaries, Shortform is hard to beat. Whether you’re a student, professional, or lifelong learner, it provides a deeper understanding that sticks with you.
Want to experience it for yourself? Try Shortform today, and see how it transforms your reading experience!
