Busy life got you down? No time to read? Meet Blinkist. It’s an app that turns books into 15-minute reads. Blinkist isn’t magic. It’s just smart. They take non-fiction books and boil them down. You get the key insights, fast.
With over 7,500 titles, Blinkist covers a lot. Business, self-help, science - you name it. Read or listen, your choice. But is it worth your cash? Can short summaries replace full books? And how does it stack up against other services?
Let’s dive in. We’ll look at what Blinkist offers. We’ll check out its pros and cons. By the end of this Blinkist review, you’ll know if it’s right for you. Ready to learn about learning? Let’s go.
What Is Blinkist?
Blinkist is a book summary service that shrinks non-fiction books into quick, punchy summaries. It's like a juice press for knowledge - squeezing out the good stuff.
Want to boost your brain? Blinkist offers summaries on everything from personal development to business smarts. Read or listen - your choice.
With over 7,500 titles, Blinkist's library is huge. It's like a buffet for your mind. Grab insights fast, without drowning in pages.
Blinkist's not about replacing books. It's about smart learning. Get the gist quick, then dive deeper if you want.
Dive into our "What is Blinkist?" guide for all the details! 👉
Blinkist review
Welcome to our honest review of Blinkist. We’re diving deep into this app that’s shaking up the reading world.
What’s Blinkist all about? Is it worth your time and money? How does it stack up against other book summary services? We’ll answer all that and more.
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We’re covering everything. The good, the bad, and the “meh”. From how it works to what it feels like as a paying customer. Pricing, usefulness, user experience - it’s all here.
Want the quick version? Read our Blinkist FAQ section with the key points or read What is Blinkist - Blinkist explainer guide.
Ready to get the full picture on Blinkist? Let’s dive in.
Review highlights
⭐ Rating: | 4.9/5 |
💵 Price: | From $5.41/month |
📚 Books count: | ~7,500 |
🌐 Blinkist works offline: | Yes |
📱App: | iPhone, Android |
🖥 Web version: | Yes |
✂ Free version: | Yes |
⚫ Dark mode: | Yes |
🌍 User base: | Over 34 million |
The summary. FAQ
Cost? It’s $15.99 per month for a Blinkist subscription. But here’s a tip: go for the annual plan. It’s half price. You’ll pay $8.34 a month, billed yearly at $99.99.
Want to save more? Use our coupon. It’ll knock off another 35%. Not bad for all those book summaries, especially when compared to other services. The Blinkist subscription offers significant value, with a trial period and refund policies that make it an affordable option for accessing a vast library of summaries.
Blinkist impresses where it counts. The summaries? Top-notch. They’re not dry Wiki entries. They complement the original books well.
With a Blinkist Premium subscription, you get unlimited access to over 7,500 book summaries and audio narrations. The narrators grab your attention. The writing’s solid. Sometimes it’s even hard to tell what’s from the book and what’s not. But that might be good for immersion.
They’ve added nice touches. Background music. Sound cues at key moments. It makes for a more engaging listen.
The app’s smart, too. Pause briefly, it picks up where you left off. Pause longer, it gives you a quick recap.
‘Spaces’ lets you share playlists with friends and family. Add notes for a personal touch.
AI’s in the mix now. It suggests titles you might like. There’s even a ChatGPT-style feature for recommendations.
But it’s not all roses. Audiobooks cost extra. The video section needs work - it’s hard to find what you want.
Overall, Blinkist shines in its core offering. The extras are hit or miss. Is it worth it? If you’re after quality book summaries, absolutely.
Yes and no. You can download Blinkist for free. That’s true.
But the free version is limited. You get one book summary per day. And you don’t get to choose it.
Blinkist chooses a random “daily” book for you. That’s it as a free user.
Free to try? Yes. Free to use fully? Not really.
Blinkist's library is huge. Over 7,500 books. And it's growing. They add about 40 new titles each month. That's almost 500 new books a year. You won't run out of reading material even if you try. 7,500 books and counting. That's Blinkist's offering.
It's sleek and simple. Easy to use. Fast, too. The interface is neat and clean. No clutter. Just the essentials. It focuses on two things: reading and listening. That's it. It's designed to get you learning quickly. Compared to other apps? Blinkist stands out. It's smoother. More streamlined. You get what you need, fast.
Yes. Summaries you save to your library will be downloaded as text automatically. You can also download audios, including auto downloads, and remove them once you’re done listening.
Blinkist App works on Android and iOS. No problems there. It's smooth on both. They've got a web version too. So you can use your book summaries pretty much anywhere.
Their App Store rating is a solid 4.8 from 124,000 reviews. Google Play 4.4 from 133,500 users.
Blinkist summaries pack a punch. They cram the meat of a book into a 15-minute read. You get the big picture, fast.
But let's be real. They're not the entire book. You might miss some nuances. Some depth gets left behind.
Still, Blinkist summaries are gold for quick learning. They're like a map of the actual book. You see the landscape, but not every tree.
Use them smart. Get the gist from Blinkist summaries. Then, if a topic grabs you, go for the whole book. It's like a taste test before the main course.
For a fuller picture, try Shortform - it offers meatier, 30-60 minute summaries with chapter breakdowns and deeper context.
Blinkist offers a straightforward approach to customer support and satisfaction. They provide a comprehensive help center for quick answers. No live chat, but you can email support@blinkist.com for personalized help. Plus, Blinkist gives you a 14-day window to change your mind and get a refund. It's a risk-free way to test drive their book summary service.
Blinkist pros and cons
Let's talk about Blinkist's ups and downs. Keep in mind, while all book summary services have their pros and cons, these are specific to Blinkist book summary subscription service:
Blinkist Pros
Huge library: 7,500+ books across 27 categories
Time-saver: 15-minute summaries of key ideas
User-friendly: Easy to use on iOS, Android, and web
Flexible learning: Text and audio formats available
Offline access: Blinkist work offline, download summaries for later
Affordable: Relatively cheap subscription with a free 7-days trial
Engaging: Good narrators and audio effects
Shareable: Create and share playlists
Shared accounts: Two users can share one subscription
Shortcasts: Summaries of popular podcasts
Regular updates: About 40 new titles are added monthly
Customizable: Create your own reading lists
AI recommendations: Suggests books based on your interests
Syncs across devices: Start on the phone, continue on the web
Highlight feature: Mark and save key points
Multiple languages: Available in several languages including English, German, Spanish, and Portuguese
Integration: Can send summaries to Kindle
Expert curation: Content selected by professionals
Wide range: Covers bestsellers and lesser-known books
Goal setting: Track your reading progress
Visual learning: Includes infographics for some books
Blinkist Cons
Limited free version: One random summary per day
Extra costs: Audiobooks not included in subscription
Overwhelming choice: A large library can be daunting
App and web functionalities are not well synced. For example, audio playback speed adjustment is only available in mobile apps, but not on the web version
Inconsistent length: Some summaries are too short compared to the original book length
How to use Blinkist
Sign up
Create an account on Blinkist's website or mobile app. Use your email or social media accounts for quick access.
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Explore the library
Dive into Blinkist's vast collection of book summaries. Browse categories like relationships, self-help, health, career, science, and more.
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Choose a book
Pick a title that catches your eye. Each summary gives you a quick overview of the book's content and main ideas.
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Read or listen
Blinkist offers summaries in both text and audio format. Read at your own pace or listen on-the-go during commutes or workouts.
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Highlight key insight
As you go through a summary, highlight important points or jot down notes. It's a great way to remember the big ideas.
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Create collections
Organize summaries into 'spaces' (collections). Group books on leadership, personal growth, or any topic you're exploring.
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Explore other features
Check out Blinkist's audio explainers and expert guides. They help you apply what you've learned to real life.
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Review books you’ve read
Use Blinkist to refresh your memory on books you've already read. It's a quick way to reinforce key insights.
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How Much Does Blinkist Cost?
Blinkist offers flexible pricing options for different needs:
Free Version
You can download the Blinkist app for free and access one random daily summary. This gives you a taste of what Blinkist offers without any commitment.
Premium Subscriptions
For full access, Blinkist offers two main subscription plans. The monthly subscription costs $15.99 per month (or the same amount but in euros in Europe). If you're looking for better value, the annual subscription is priced at $99.99 per year, which breaks down to about $8.34 per month - a 50% saving compared to the monthly plan.
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Premium Features
With a premium subscription, you get access to over 7,500 book summaries, audio versions, shortcasts (podcast summaries), offline reading, highlighting, and note-taking features. You can also sync your highlights to Evernote or send summaries directly to your Kindle.
2-for-1 Option
Blinkist offers a unique 2-for-1 deal where you can buy one premium subscription and get another free to share with a friend or family member. So technically you get 2 subscriptions for 1 price.
Free Trial and Discounts
Blinkist provides a 7-day free trial. With our promo code you'll get 35% off the regular price. Keep an eye out for occasional promotions (Black Friday, Christmas sale, Cyber Monday, etc.) and special deals for extra savings.
Remember, prices may vary slightly based on your location and currency. At less than $0.50 per day for the monthly plan (or even less for the annual plan), Blinkist aims to provide a cost-effective way to expand your knowledge and absorb key ideas from books quickly.
Is Blinkist Worth It?
Blinkist is a great value. $0.15 a day (or less with an annual plan) is cheaper than your daily coffee and gets you access to thousands of book summaries.
The Value Proposition
Imagine being able to get the gist of a book in 15-20 minutes. That’s what Blinkist gives you. It’s like buying the ability to read a book a day, uploaded directly into your brain. How much would that be worth to you?
Quality
Blinkist’s summaries are well written, not dry like Wikipedia. The narrators are great, the writing is good. Background music and sound effects make it immersive and fun.
Check our article about how to apply Blinkist discount codes and get the best Blinkist deals
Smart Features
The app has thoughtful details like pause-and-play and ‘Spaces’ to create shareable playlists. AI recommendations to discover unexplored books you might like.
Learning Efficiency
For non-fiction Blinkist helps you skip the fluff and get to the point. You can cover more topics in less time and potentially retain more info because the summaries are focused.
Cons
Audiobooks are extra cost and video content is hard to navigate. Some users might miss the depth of full books.
The Verdict
For readers and learners Blinkist is great value. It’s a cheap way to learn fast and efficient. Try it out with a 7-day free trial to see if it’s for you.
Remember, while Blinkist is a great tool for quick learning and book screening, it’s best used as a supplement not a replacement for reading full books when depth is required.
Who is Blinkist for?
Blinkist is for everyone. Here’s who will get the most out of it:
Busy People | Get main concepts fast to stay informed and smart. |
Students | Supplement your learning with condensed insights for research and assignments. |
Book Lovers | Preview books before committing to a full read. |
Lifelong Learners | Explore non-fiction titles across all fields. |
Writers and Researchers | Get info and references fast. |
Commuters and Travelers | Learn on the go with audio. |
Book Clubs | Get key insights to start conversations. |
Leaders and Managers | Get leadership insights to develop skills and strategies. |
Self-Help Enthusiasts | Summaries of popular self-help books for personal development. |
Curious Minds | Explore topics without committing to full books. |
Blinkist is a versatile tool for anyone who wants to learn fast. Whether you’re short on time, want to try new topics or need quick info, Blinkist can be in your learning toolbox.
Comparison: Summaries vs. Full Books
Pros of Cons Reading Full Books:
Comprehensive depth and detail
Complete context, reducing misinterpretation risks
Enjoyable storytelling, humor, and personal anecdotes
Potential for spontaneous insights throughout
Author's complete vision and nuanced arguments
Time-consuming, often requiring days or weeks
Can be challenging to retain information without note-taking
Extracting key insights may be difficult
Might include unnecessary information
Pros of Cons Reading Summaries:
Time-efficient, typically requiring minutes instead of hours
Focused on key ideas, making main points easier to remember
Allows exploration of more topics quickly
Useful for previewing books before full commitment
Helps avoid books with limited valuable content
Lack of depth and nuanced arguments
Miss out on storytelling elements and humor
Risk of misinterpreting ideas due to limited context
Reliance on summary writer's interpretation
Might miss spontaneous insights from original text
Book summaries aren't meant to replace full books entirely. They're complementary tools that help you learn efficiently and choose which books to read in full. The best approach often combines both: use summaries to explore widely and read full books for depth in areas that truly interest you.
Blinkist Library. The best books on Blinkist.
Want to really get a feel for what Blinkist is all about? Dive into today’s free book summary. Or listen to the audio version.
Blinkist has free summaries every day. Check out Blinkist’s titles and top 15 all-time favorites to get a taste of the books they offer. The community’s most-read Blinkist titles:
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Here are the TOP 15 books on Blinkist library:
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear - Habit formation science. Learn to build good habits and break bad ones.
"Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari - A history of Homo sapiens. Distills complex historical concepts into bite-sized insights.
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey - Deep dive into success principles. Practical and inspiring self-improvement approaches.
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman - Two thinking systems governing decisions. Eye-opening look at cognitive biases and rational thinking.
"Getting Things Done" by David Allen - Task management and stress-free productivity strategies.
"A Brief History of Time" by Stephen Hawking - Journey through the universe. Black holes and time.
"Influence" by Robert B. Cialdini - Persuasion psychology. Principles driving human behavior.
"The Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg - Habit formation science. Actionable insights for changing habits.
"The 5 AM Club" by Robin Sharma - Storytelling and personal development. Early rising, productivity and personal growth.
"Quiet" by Susan Cain - Challenges biases against introverts. Introverts in an extroverted world.
"Becoming" by Michelle Obama - Former First Lady’s memoir. Her life and White House years.
"Educated" by Tara Westover - Memoir of journey from strict upbringing to education. Breaking free from the past.
"The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" by Mark Manson - Unconventional self-help. Embracing life’s struggles and focusing on what matters.
"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries - Principles for successful startups. Entrepreneurship in a changing world.
"The 4-Hour Workweek" by Timothy Ferriss - Break free from 9-5. Blueprint for autonomy and fulfillment.
Alternatives to Blinkist
While Blinkist app is popular, it’s not the only game in town. Here are some top Blinkist alternatives, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:
👉 Read our extensive comparison article: Blinkist vs Headway
Headway: The new kid on the block. Launched in 2019, it already has 30 million million users. Bitesize learning through quotes, summaries, audio, and graphics. Makes forming a habit easy. $89.99/year similar like Blinkist.
Shortform: Founded by Allen Cheng, the guy who does the most detailed book summaries. Aims to provide the most comprehensive chapter by chapter summaries out there. Adds interactive exercises for a richer learning experience.
Instaread: A solid competitor with over 2,000 summarized books. Beautiful app design and great content. Priced like Blinkist. Has the swiping through book quotes feature.
getAbstract: The big boy in the room with over 18,000 books. Student plan (free for a year, then 59€/year). Regular plans are pricier (299€+ per year). Biggest book summary service in the world.
Each of these Blinkist alternatives has its own strengths. Headway on habit formation, Shortform on depth, Instaread on user experience, getAbstract on volume. Your mileage may vary.
We have reviews of other book summary service.
The Verdict
Blinkist wins on simplicity. The app is fast, clean and laser focused on delivering book insights. Whether you read or listen, it’s smooth.
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With over 7,500 titles, the library is huge. You’ll find summaries on everything from business to science. At $0.15 a day it’s a steal for knowledge seekers.
But not all is perfect. The free version is limited and some summaries are too short. Audiobook fans will grumble at the extra cost.
So who’s it for? Busy pros, curious students and anyone who wants to learn but is short on time. It’s especially good for self-help books, cutting through the fluff to the core ideas.
Here’s a pro tip: Don’t ditch your books. Use Blinkist alongside them. It’s great for:
Previewing books before buying
Refreshing essential takeaways from past reads
Learning on-the-go when you can’t crack open a book
In the end, Blinkist isn’t magic. It’s a smart tool for smart learners. If you’re always wanting to learn more but your schedule is packed, try it out. The 7 day free trial is a no brainer.
Remember, it's not about replacing books. It's about supercharging your learning. Ready to give your brain a Blink?
