Best Book Summary Apps & Websites 2024: Read More in Less Time

Looking to absorb more books without spending hours reading? Book summary websites and book summary apps might be your answer. These book summary sites take lengthy nonfiction books and distill them into focused summaries you can digest in 15-20 minutes.

But with so many options out there, which one deserves your time and money? We’ve thoroughly tested and compared the top book summary services to help you choose.

In this guide, we’ll examine the seven best book summary apps and websites for 2024:

1. Blinkist - Best Overall

   4.9/5

2. Headway - Best for Interactive Learning

   4.8/5

3. Shortform - Best for In-Depth Analysis

   4.7/5

4. getAbstract - Best for Business Professionals

   4.6/5

5. Instaread - Best for Fiction Summaries

   4.5/5

6. Sumizeit - Best Budget Option

   4.2/5

7. 12min - Best for Basic Summaries

   4.1/5

Whether you’re a busy professional, a curious learner, or just someone who wants to read more efficiently, we’ll help you find the perfect book summary service for your needs. Let’s dive into what makes each platform unique and how to choose between them.

How We Evaluated Book Summary Services

To help you make an informed decision, we evaluated each service based on several key criteria:

Content Quality & Depth

• Size and variety of library

• Quality of summaries

• Additional features (audio versions, exercises, etc.)

• Update frequency with new titles

User Experience

• Interface design and ease of use

• Mobile and web app functionality

• Offline access capabilities

• Reading and listening experience

Value for Money

• Subscription pricing options, including an annual subscription at a discounted rate compared to the monthly fee

• Free trial availability

• Included features

• Premium add-ons

App Ratings & User Feedback

• App Store and Google Play ratings

• User reviews and feedback

• Community engagement

• Technical support

We spent extensive time testing each platform, reading summaries, and comparing features to bring you the most comprehensive analysis possible. Our ratings consider not just the quantity of summaries available, but the overall learning experience each platform provides.

1. Blinkist - Best Overall

Enter the giant of book summary apps, Blinkist, which turns heavy tomes into quick 15-minute reads. With a library of 7,500 titles and 34 million loyal users around the world, Blinkist has perfected the art of breaking down non-fiction ideas into tasty, easily digestible bites of learning.

Read it or listen to it – each summary is crafted to preserve all the key points while saving your precious time. The perfect blend of fun and substance is why Blinkist is the go-to choice for busy professionals and lifelong learners.

Key Features

• 7,500 non-fiction book summaries

• Professional audio narration with sound effects

• "Shortcasts" (podcast summaries)

• Ability to share accounts (2-for-1 feature)

• Highlight and note-taking capabilities

• Integration with Kindle

• Available in multiple languages (English, German, Spanish)

• Blinkist AI: Summarize videos, podcasts, docs, articles & basically every content on web.

Pricing

• Monthly: $15.99

• Annual: $99.99 (or $8.34/month)

• Free trial: 7-days

• Special deal: Save 35% with our discount

• Blinkist has a 14-day refund policy

What We Like

• High-quality, well-written summaries

• Professional audio summaries

• Clean, intuitive interface

• Regular content updates (40+ new summaries monthly)

• Solid mobile apps (4.8 on App Store with over 124,000 reviews, 4.4 on Google Play with 133,500 reviews)

What Could Be Better

• Limited free version (one daily pick)

• Some features inconsistent between web and mobile versions

• Higher price point compared to some competitors

Best For

Blinkist is ideal for busy professionals and lifelong learners who value quality content and polished user experience. It's particularly strong for those who enjoy both reading and listening to summaries.

2. Headway - Best for Interactive Learning

In a world of static summaries, Headway brings a fresh spin by turning book learning into an engaging game. Since launching in 2019, they've captured 30 million users with their unique blend of summaries, challenges, and visual learning tools. With 2,000 titles in their library, they're proving that effective learning can also be entertaining.

Key Features

• Visual summaries and infographics

• Gamification with challenges and achievements

• Spaced repetition learning tools

• Daily insights and reading streaks

• Intelligence-type test

• Personalized learning paths

• Multiple reading modes

• Self-discovery quizzes

Pricing

• Monthly: $14.99

• Annual: $89.99 (or $7.41/month)

• Headway has a three-month plan option ($29.99)

• Free trial: 7-days

• Special deal: Save 46% on annual plan

What We Like

• Engaging gamification features

• Beautiful, modern interface

• Strong focus on retention and implementation

• Visual learning elements

• Solid app ratings (4.7 on App Store, 4.5 on Google Play)

What Could Be Better

• Smaller library than some competitors

• No web version (mobile-only)

• AI-generated audio narration

• Some users find gamification distracting

Best For

Headway shines for visual learners and those who need extra motivation to build a reading habit. It's perfect if you like learning through interaction rather than passive reading.

3. Shortform - Best for In-Depth Analysis

If you've ever wished book summaries went deeper, Shortform has your back. With 1,100 titles in their library, they take a different approach by creating comprehensive book guides rather than quick summaries. Each guide comes packed with additional insights, practical exercises, and connections to related concepts.

Key Features

• Chapter-by-chapter analysis with detailed chapter summaries

• Interactive exercises and applications

• Podcast summaries

• Additional insights from related sources

• AI-powered browser extension for article summaries

• Integration with Notion and Readwise

• Web and mobile apps

• PDF downloads for offline reading

Pricing

• Monthly: $24

• Annual: $197 (or $16.42/month)

• Free trial: 5-days

• Special deal: Save 20% on annual plan

What We Like

• Most comprehensive summaries available

• Practical exercises for implementation

• High-quality analysis and insights

• Regular content updates (5 new books weekly)

• Clean reading experience

What Could Be Better

• Higher price point than competitors

• Smaller library size

• Shortform doesn’t have a refund policy

• Shortform does not have free version

Best For

Shortform is perfect for deep thinkers who want more than just quick takeaways. It's ideal for students, researchers, and anyone who wants to truly master the concepts from their reading.

4. getAbstract - Best for Business Professionals

Meet the veteran of book summaries. Since 1999, getAbstract has built the largest collection of business-focused summaries in the world. With an impressive library of 27,000 titles, 16 million users, and summaries in 7 languages, they're the go-to choice for serious business learning.

Key Features

• Massive library of 27,000 summaries

• Business and professional focus

• Video summaries, summaries of podcasts

• Available in 7 languages

• Corporate and team solutions

• Student plans available

• Summaries of articles and reports

• Integration with learning management systems

Pricing

• Monthly: $29.90

• Annual: $299 (or $25/month)

• Student Starter: FREE (gives access to 5,000 books)

• Student Pro: $8.30/month

• Free trial: 3-days which includes access to free book summaries

What We Like

• Most extensive library available

• Professional-grade content

• Strong business focus

• Excellent for corporate teams

• Solid app ratings (4.5 on App Store, 4.3 on Google Play)

What Could Be Better

• Premium pricing

• Short trial period could be longer

• Basic interface design could be improved

• Limited audio summaries

• Summaries lack the depth and richness of full-length books

Best For

getAbstract is ideal for business professionals, corporate teams, and students in business-related fields who need comprehensive, professional-level insights.

5. Instaread - Best for Fiction Summaries

Here's something different in the book summary world - Instaread covers both fiction and non-fiction, making it a versatile choice for diverse readers. With 2,000 summaries in their library, they stand out by offering chapter-by-chapter insights and unique "Cards" feature for quick learning.

Key Features

• Fiction and non-fiction summaries

• Interactive quote cards

• Chapter-by-chapter analysis that provides numerous good ideas, offering practical benefits to professionals by delivering actionable insights and practices.

• Author perspective sections

• Audio versions available

• Offline reading

• Kindle integration

Pricing

• Monthly: $8.99

• Annual: $89.99 (or $7.49/month)

• Lifetime: $299.99

• Free trial: 7-days

What We Like

• Fiction book coverage

• Unique "Cards" feature

• In-depth chapter analysis

• Clean reading interface

• Reasonable pricing

What Could Be Better

• AI-generated audio narration

• Some app stability issues

• Basic search functionality

• Interface can be confusing at first

• App stability issues, especially on Android (3.6 on Google Play)

Best For

Instaread is perfect for readers who want coverage of both fiction and non-fiction books, and those who enjoy social features like sharing quotes and insights.

6. Sumizeit - Best Budget Option

If you want to dip your toes into book summaries without a big investment, Sumizeit might be your answer. With 1,000 titles and some unique features like video summaries and infographics, they're carving out their niche as an affordable yet feature-rich option.

Key Features

• Video summaries

• Infographic summaries (paid extra)

• Interactive quizzes

• Gamification elements

• Visual learning tools

• Achievement system

• 1,000 summaries of nonfiction books

Pricing

• Monthly: $6.99

• Annual: $50 (or $4.16/month)

• Annual with discount: $25 (or $2.08/month)

• Special: Save 50% on annual plan

What We Like

• Budget-friendly pricing

• Multiple content formats

• Visual summaries

• Achievement system

• Clean interface

• App Store rating: 4.6

What Could Be Better

• No free version (only 2 free summaries)

• Limited library size

• iOS only (no Android app)

• Some features (ex, infographics) paid extra

Best For

Sumizeit is ideal for budget-conscious readers and visual learners who want a more interactive summary experience without breaking the bank.

7. 12min - Best for Basic Summaries

Rounding out our list is 12min, delivering bite-sized book insights as the name suggests. With 2,500 titles and 4 million users worldwide, they keep things simple: key ideas you can absorb in just 12 minutes.

Key Features

• Text and audio summaries

• Offline access

• "12min Originals" content

• Kindle integration

• Available in 3 languages

• Simple, clean interface

Pricing

• Monthly: No monthly plan

• Annual: $79,90 (or $6.65/month)

• Annual with discount: $5.62/month

• Free trial: 7-days

What We Like

• Straightforward approach

• Multi-language support

• Clean, simple interface

• Solid app ratings (4.8 on App Store, 4.4 on Google Play)

• Reasonable pricing

What Could Be Better

• Smaller library than competitors

• Basic features only

• Technical issues reported

• Occasional language inconsistencies

Best For

12min is great for those who want simple, no-frills book summaries and don't need extra features or gamification. It's particularly good for international users thanks to its language support.

Detailed Comparison Table of Best Book Summary Apps

Feature
Our Rating	4.9/5	4.8/5	4.7/5	4.6/5	4.5/5	4.1/5	4.1/5
Library Size	7,500	2,000	1,100	27,000	2,000	1,000	2,500
Monthly Price	$15.99	$14.99	$24	$29.90	$8.99	$6.99	No monthly plan
Annual Price	$99.99	$89.99	$197	$299	$89.99	$50	$79,90
Free Trial	7-days	7-days	5-days	3-days	7-days	no free trial (2 free summaries)	7-days
Audio Summaries	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Human Narration	✅	❌	Partial	Partial	❌	❌	❌
Offline Mode	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Mobile Apps	iOS & Android	iOS & Android	iOS & Android	iOS & Android	iOS & Android	iOS only	iOS & Android
Web Version	✅	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Highlight Feature	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌
Kindle Integration	✅	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	✅
Multiple Languages	✅	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	✅
Fiction Books	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	❌	❌
App Store Rating	4.8	4.7	4.5	4.5	4.4	4.6	4.8
Google Play Rating	4.4	4.5	4.5	4.3	3.6	-	4.4
	Try Blinkist	Try Headway	Try Shortform	Try getAbstract	Try Instaread	Try Sumizeit	Try 12min

How to Choose a Book Summary Service

With so many options available, choosing the right book summary service comes down to your specific needs. Here's what to consider:

Library Size and Content

• Extensive Libraries: Blinkist (7,500 books) and getAbstract ({getabstract.books_count} books) lead in quantity, making them ideal for those interested in reading book summaries to quickly grasp key concepts without dedicating excessive time to full-length books.

• Quality vs Quantity: Shortform offers fewer titles but more in-depth analysis

• Specific Needs: Want fiction? Try Instaread. Need business focus? Consider getAbstract

Pricing and Value

• Budget-Friendly: Sumizeit and 12min offer lower-cost options

• Premium Features: Blinkist and Headway justify higher prices with better production quality

• Special Plans: getAbstract offers student plans, while Instaread has a lifetime option

Learning Style

• Visual Learners: Headway and Sumizeit offer visual summaries and infographics

• Audio Listeners: Blinkist provides professional narration

• Deep Divers: Shortform offers comprehensive analysis

• Interactive Learners: Headway's gamification might be your style

Free Trial Duration

• Most services offer 7-days trials

• getAbstract offers 3-days

• Some services like Sumizeit offer free summaries instead of trials

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Ready to supercharge your reading and learning? Whether you're a busy professional, a curious student, or just someone who wants to read more efficiently, there's a book summary service that's right for you.

Our top picks for 2024:

• Best Overall: Blinkist - Quality meets quantity with 7,500 well-crafted summaries

• Best Interactive Experience: Headway - Makes learning fun with gamification and visual tools

• Best for Deep Learning: Shortform - When you want more than just the highlights

• Best for Business: getAbstract - The professional's choice with 27,000 summaries

• Best for Fiction Lovers: Instaread - Unique fiction coverage sets it apart

• Best Budget Option: Sumizeit - Great features at a lower price point

• Best Basic Option: 12min - Simple, straightforward summaries

Remember, most services offer free trials or free summaries to test the waters. Take advantage of these to find the perfect fit for your learning style and needs.

Happy learning!