getAbstract Review 2024: Is This Premium Book Summary Service Worth It?

Looking for an efficient way to absorb more knowledge without spending hours reading full books? Our getAbstract review takes a deep look at this unique service. While many book summary services try to appeal to everyone, getAbstract stands out by focusing specifically on helping professionals and organizations learn efficiently.

Think of getAbstract as a premium business learning tool that takes dense business books, economic reports, and industry articles and breaks them down into summaries you can digest in about 15 minutes. With a massive library of 27,000+ summaries and 16 million users worldwide, it's clearly doing something right - but that expertise comes at a price of $299 per year.

GetAbstract: Quick Take Aways

What Works Well:

• Biggest summary collection available with access to 27,000 summaries

• getAbstract AI tool

• High-quality summaries focused on business and professional development

• Video summaries, podcast summaries

• Available in 7 languages including English, German, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Portuguese, French.

• Solid mobile apps (4.5/5 on App Store, 4.3/5 on Play Store)

• Strong enterprise features for companies

• Includes analysis beyond just summarizing

What Could Be Better:

• Much more expensive than competitors

• Very short trial period (3-days vs others’ 7 days)

• Limited AI Assistant availability (desktop-only, not available in mobile apps)

• Limiting access to audio summaries. Not every summary has an audio version

• Heavy business focus might not suit casual readers

• Basic interface prioritizes function over style

Is getAbstract’s professional approach and huge library worth the higher price tag? Let’s dig into exactly what you get and whether this premium service deserves your investment in 2024.

What is getAbstract?

getAbstract takes a different approach than most summary services. Instead of just condensing books into quick reads, they focus on delivering professional-level insights for business and career growth. Since 1999, they've built what is now the largest collection of business book summaries in the world.

Core Features at a Glance

The platform offers several ways to consume summaries:

• Text, audio summaries

• AI Assistant for personalized learning (New in 2024)

• Podcast summaries for industry insights

• Article summaries from leading publications

• TED talks and video content summarized

• Expert curated channels for specific topics or skills

• Enterprise solutions for company-wide learning

As a book summary app, it accommodates different tastes and needs, from casual readers to professionals on the hunt for business insights.

E-Reader Support

• Kindle Fire - Access via app or browser

• Nook - Download in ePub or PDF format

• Nook Tablet - Available through Google Play Store

• Kobo - Compatible with ePub and PDF downloads

Summary Format

Each summary follows a consistent format that includes:

• Main takeaways upfront

• 10-15 minute reading time, allowing you to gain insights in just a few minutes

• Rating and recommendation system

• Author background and context

• Related summaries suggestions

Content Focus

While other services try to cover everything, getAbstract specializes in:

• Leadership

• Management

• Career

• Personal Development

• Workplace Skills

• Social Skills

• Life Advice

• Artificial Intelligence

• Science

• Technology

• Women in Business

• Innovation

• Marketing

• Sales

• Human Resources

• Economics

• Industries

• Manufacturing

• Corporate Communication

• Corporate Finance

• Society

• Politics

• History

• Classics

Target Audience

The summaries aren’t just shorter versions of content - they include analysis and context to help you understand why the concepts matter and how to apply them. This makes getAbstract particularly valuable for:

• Business professionals looking to stay current (personal and professional development)

• Leaders developing new skills

• Teams wanting structured learning paths

• Companies seeking training solutions

• Students studying business topics

With 27,000+ summaries available and 16 million users worldwide, they’ve clearly found their niche in professional learning. The platform adds hundreds of new summaries each month, covering everything from latest business books to current industry articles, podcasts, and video content, making knowledge your most valuable asset.

Content Quality & Library

getAbstract's massive content library is impressive, but what really matters is the quality and usefulness of those summaries. Let's break down what you actually get.

Library Overview

With 27,000+ summaries that you can access online, getAbstract offers significantly more content than competitors. Their library includes:

• Business books

• Professional development guides

• Economic reports

• Industry articles

• TED talks

• Business podcasts

• Research papers

Summary Structure

Each getAbstract summary follows a consistent format that makes it easy to digest and evaluate content:

Book Information

• Cover image and title

• Author and publication details

• "Play" option for audio version

• Option to add to playlists

• Purchase links to original book/audiobook

Quality Indicators

• Star rating (1-10 scale)

• Quality tags (e.g., "Applicable," "Innovative")

• Community likes count

• User comments and discussions

Content Organization

1. Recommendation

   • Quick overview of the book's value

   • Author credentials and background

   • Why this book matters

2. Take-Aways

   • Key points and insights

   • Main concepts explained

   • Practical applications

3. About the Author

   • Detailed author background

   • Relevant expertise

   • Additional resources

Interactive Features

• Highlighting capability

• Personal highlights section

• Share functionality

• Social features (likes, comments)

• "More on this topic" recommendations

• Related book suggestions with ratings

The summaries are professionally curated with a focus on actionable insights rather than just condensing content. Each element serves a specific purpose in helping readers quickly evaluate and absorb the material.

Content Categories

While business is their main focus, getAbstract covers a wide range of professional topics:

Core Business Topics

• Leadership & Management

• Strategy & Innovation

• Sales & Marketing

• Finance & Economics

• Operations & Logistics

• Human Resources

Personal and Professional Development

• Career Growth

• Communication Skills

• Time Management

• Decision Making

• Productivity

• Team Building

Knowledge is a valuable asset in professional and personal development. Tools like getAbstract allow individuals to maximize their knowledge efficiently, helping them grow in their careers and personal lives.

Industry Insights

• Technology Trends

• Market Analysis

• Industry Reports

• Economic Updates

• Global Business

Language Support

While getAbstract offers content in multiple languages, it's important to note that not all summaries are available in every language. Unlike most summary services that only offer English content, getAbstract provides summaries in:

• English

• German

• Spanish

• French

• Portuguese

• Chinese

• Russian

The English library contains the complete collection, while other languages offer varying levels of coverage, focusing primarily on business and professional development content. When browsing summaries, you can filter by language to see what's available in your preferred language.

Content Updates

The platform regularly adds new content:

• 100+ new summaries monthly

• Latest bestsellers covered

• Current industry trends

• Updated business insights

• Fresh podcast and video content

getAbstract Pricing & Plans

getAbstract offers several tiers of service to match different needs and budgets. Let's break down what each plan includes.

Plan Comparison

Features	Student Starter	Student Pro	Pro	Team & Enterprise
Price	FREE	$8.30/mo	$29.90/mo	Custom
Library Access	5,000 summaries	27,000+ summaries	27,000+ summaries	27,000+ summaries
Audio & Playlists
Mobile App Access
Offline Reading
AI Assistant
Send to Kindle
Team Features
Custom Portal

Knowledge Library

• Student Starter: 5,000 summaries for personal development

• Student Pro/Pro: 27,000+ summaries for personal and professional development

• Team/Enterprise: Full library access with additional business features

Core Features

• AI-Powered Ask getAbstract Tool

• Personalized Recommendations

• Audio Summaries and Playlists

• Personal Reading Lists

• Highlighting

• Sharing Capabilities

Advanced Features

• Learning Paths (Enterprise only)

• Meeting in a Box (Enterprise only)

• Access to Experts and Authors (Enterprise only)

• Micro-Courses (Team and Enterprise)

Administration Features

Team and Enterprise plans include:

• User Management

• Centralized Billing

• Basic Usage Statistics

• Advanced Dashboards (Enterprise)

Enterprise Integration

Enterprise-exclusive features:

• Customized Company Portal

• Skill Alignment Tools

• Custom Company Channels

• Dedicated Learning Consultant

• SSO & LMS/LXP Integrations

Available Formats

All paid plans include:

• Online Access (Web and App)

• Offline Sync

• PDF Export (except Student Starter)

• ePub Format

• MP3 Audio

• Send to Kindle

Pricing Details

• Student Starter: FREE

• Student Pro: $8.30/month

• Pro: $29.90/month or $299/year

• Team/Enterprise: Custom pricing based on size and needs

getAbstract vs other Book Summary Apps

Let's see how getAbstract stacks up against other popular book summary apps. While they all aim to help you learn faster, each has its own approach.

getAbstract vs Blinkist

Library Size & Content

• getAbstract: 27,000+ summaries, including articles and podcasts

• Blinkist: 7,500 titles, books only

• When comparing book summary apps, getAbstract offers more variety but focuses on business

• Blinkist covers more general non-fiction topics

Pricing

• getAbstract: $299/year ($29.90/month)

• Blinkist: $99.99/year ($15.99/month)

• getAbstract is more expensive but offers more content

• Blinkist is more budget-friendly for casual readers

Free Trial

• getAbstract: 3-days

• Blinkist: 7-days

• Blinkist offers a few days more to test

• Both provide full access during trial (except download feature which makes sense)

Mobile App Ratings

App Store:

• getAbstract: 4.5/5 (290 reviews)

• Blinkist: 4.8/5 (124,000 reviews)

Google Play:

• getAbstract: 4.3/5 (2,609 reviews)

• Blinkist: 4.4/5 (133,500 reviews)

getAbstract vs Headway

Library Size & Content

• getAbstract: 27,000+ summaries

• Headway: 2,000+ titles

• getAbstract provides deeper business insights

• Headway offers more engaging learning experience

Pricing

• getAbstract: $299/year ($29.90/month)

• Headway: $89.99/year ($14.99/month)

• Headway is more affordable

• getAbstract offers more comprehensive content

Free Trial

• getAbstract: 3-days

• Headway: 7-days

• Headway app offers a few days more to test

Mobile App Ratings

App Store:

• getAbstract: 4.5/5 (290 reviews)

• Headway: 4.7/5 (92,000 reviews)

Google Play:

• getAbstract: 4.3/5 (2,609 reviews)

• Headway: 4.5/5 (106,000 reviews)

getAbstract vs Blinkist vs Headway

Pricing (Monthly)	$29.90	$15.99	$14.99
Pricing (Annual)	$299	$99.99	$89.99
Price per month	$25	$8.34	$7.41
Free version	No free version	One free daily pick	One free summary per day and daily insights
Free trial	3-days	7-days	7-days
Languages	7 languages (not all content)	English, German, Spanish	English, Spanish
Quality	Professional analysis included	Consistent, polished writing	Engaging, simplified style
App Store Rating	4.5 ⭐ (290 reviews)	4.8 ⭐ (124,000 reviews)	4.7 ⭐ (92,000 reviews)
Google Play Rating	4.3 ⭐ (2,609 reviews)	4.4 ⭐ (133,500 reviews)	4.5 ⭐ (106,000 reviews)
AI Assistant	Web/desktop only, in beta	Built-in AI feature (paid extra)	Not available
Key offerings	Full access to 27,000+ summaries Enterprise and team solutions Professional analysis Audio versions (partial) Web-based AI assistant (beta) Multi-language support Expert channels	Full access to 7,500+ book summaries Audio versions of all summaries Ability to highlight and save notes 2-for-1 account sharing Blinkist AI feature	Full access to 2,000+ book summaries Audio versions of summaries Gamification features and progress tracking Personalized learning paths Visual explainers and space repetition
	getAbstract Free Trial	Blinkist Free Trial	Headway Free Trial

Who Wins?

• Best for Business: getAbstract - largest library and professional focus

• Best Value: Headway at $89.99/year

• Best App Experience: Blinkist (4.8/5 from 124,000 reviews)

• Best for Teams: getAbstract - only one with true enterprise features

• Most Popular: Blinkist with 34 million users

Who Should Use getAbstract?

Let's break down who would get the most value from getAbstract's premium service - and who might be better off with something else.

✅ Perfect For:

Business Professionals

• Need to stay current with industry trends

• Want professional analysis, not just summaries

• Value comprehensive business insights

• Have training budgets or company support

• Looking for practical business applications

Corporate Teams

• Want structured learning paths

• Need enterprise-level reporting

• Require multiple language support

• Looking for LMS integration

• Value consistent quality across content

Students and Academics

• Can access affordable student plans

• Need research summaries

• Want access to economic reports

• Study business or economics

• Appreciate in-depth analysis

Lifelong Learners Who:

• Focus on personal development and professional development

• Prefer quality over gamification

• Need content in multiple languages

• Value expert analysis

• Have higher learning budgets

⚠ Not Ideal For:

Casual Readers Who:

• Want general self-help content

• Prefer engaging, gamified learning

• Need a more affordable option

• Like shorter, simpler summaries

• Want longer trial periods

Budget-Conscious Users Who:

• Find $299/year too expensive

• Could use Blinkist ($99.99/year) or Headway ($89.99/year) instead

• Don't need professional-level analysis

• Want just basic book summaries

• Read occasionally rather than regularly

Consider getAbstract If You:

• Have a professional learning budget

• Need comprehensive business insights

• Value quality over price

• Want the largest summary library

• Require multiple language options

❌ Look Elsewhere If:

• Want casual reading material

• Prefer gamified learning experience

• Need a longer trial than 3-days

• Have a limited budget

• Don't need business-focused content

Final Verdict: Is getAbstract Worth It in 2024?

Now that you know what getAbstract offers and how it stacks up to the competition, is it worth the investment?

Value for Money

At $299/year, getAbstract is expensive compared to:

• Blinkist: $99.99/year

• Headway: $89.99/year

But looking purely at price misses the point. Think of getAbstract as a professional development tool rather than just a book summary service.

What getAbstract Gets Right

• Massive Library: 27,000+ summaries

• Quality Analysis: Not just summaries, but professional insights

• Content Types: Books, articles, reports, podcasts and video talks summarized

• Language Support: 7 languages vs competitors' 2-3

• Business Focus: Serious content for professional growth

• Enterprise Features: True business solution, not just a reading app

Room for Improvement

• Short Trial: 3-days vs 7-days from competitors

• High Price: More than triple the cost of some alternatives

• Basic Interface: Functional but not as polished as Blinkist

• Limited Audio summaries: Not all summaries have audio versions

• Business Focus: Might be too specialized for some users

The Bottom Line

getAbstract is worth it if:

• Your company pays for it

• You're serious about professional development

• You need comprehensive business insights

• Multiple language support is important

• You value quality analysis over engaging presentation

It's probably not worth it if:

• You're paying out of pocket

• You want casual reading material

• You prefer gamified learning

• You're fine with basic summaries

• Budget is a major concern

Final Rating:

• Content Quality: 5/5

• Value for Money: 3.5/5

• User Experience: 4/5

• Features: 4.5/5

• Support: 5/5

At the end of the day, getAbstract is like the Harvard Business Review of summary services - premium, professional, and priced accordingly. If that matches your needs and budget, it's an excellent choice. If not, Blinkist ($99.99/year) or Headway ($89.99/year) offer solid alternatives for casual learners.

Frequently Asked Questions