In a world where knowledge is power but time is scarce, book summary apps like Shortform are the intellectuals’ lifesaver. Shortform bursts onto the scene with promises of detailed guides to the best non-fiction books. But does it outshine the competition in the crowded summary space?
Shortform not only counts the pages but also preserves the original work. It’s often compared to Blinkist—the other big player in the summary game. In this Shortform review we’ll dive into Shortform’s offerings, pricing and user experience and line them up against Blinkist.
With a suite of features designed to help you understand and retain more, Shortform enters the book summary space with finesse. Our in-depth Shortform review will break down its unique features, user experience and compare it to its main competitor to help you answer the ultimate question: Is Shortform the summary service you’ve been looking for? Let’s get started.
⭐ Rating: | 4.7/5 |
💵 Price: | From $12.97/month |
📚 Books count: | More than 1,100 |
🌐 Shortform works offline: | Yes |
📱Apps: | iPhone and Android |
🖥 Web version: | Yes |
✂ Free version: | No (except 2 free book summaries) |
⚫ Dark mode: | Yes |
What is Shortform?
Shortform is a curated book summary service founded by Allen Cheng in 2019 for readers who want to deeply understand and apply the insights from non-fiction books. Unlike a traditional summary, Shortform offers full book guides packed with detailed information, key points and exercises to help you learn. For added convenience and a multi-modal experience, subscribers can also get audio summaries to go along with the written content. This great book summary app is Shortform’s commitment to serving an audience that not only wants to quickly get the gist of a book but also wants a service that helps them implement the knowledge they gain. Shortform helps users understand the book’s key ideas and apply them effectively.
Shortform has two pricing options: monthly subscription $24/month and an annual subscription $197 a year that saves you money in the long run.
Shortform also offers a 5-days free trial.
Shortform book summary is a detailed guide to non-fiction books, with summaries, analysis, interactive exercises and actionable points from each book. Their summaries aim to capture the main ideas so you not only understand the book but also how to apply it in your life.
Yes, when you sign up Shortform lets you read some book guides for free. This is for new users to try out the content before committing to a subscription.
Shortform is not free but they do offer a few book summaries for free. To access all their content you need to choose one of the paid subscription plans.
They also offer a 5-days free trial to try out the full service before you buy.
Shortform: Features and Purpose
Shortform is unique book summaries app with its multi-faceted features for serious learners and productivity enthusiasts. This multi-purpose approach makes Shortform a very useful learning tool.
Shortform is unique book summaries app with its multi-faceted features for serious learners and productivity enthusiasts. This multi-purpose approach makes Shortform a very useful learning tool.
Notably Shortform syncs with Notion, the popular organization and productivity app, so you can integrate and organize your notes.
And to make it even more convenient Shortform has a Chrome extension that can summarize webpages and even videos on YouTube for you.
If you want to learn continuously Shortform’s premium plan is for you. You get 5 new books every week plus an already large library.
And with the premium service comes an AI browser extension that brings AI-driven summaries to online articles and videos to you so you can retain more knowledge and save time.
Lastly Shortform is all about expanding your knowledge and improving information absorption. It also positions itself as a tool for personal growth, helping users focus on areas they want to improve.
Shortform: Features and Purpose
Shortform is unique book summaries app with its multi-faceted features for serious learners and productivity enthusiasts. This multi-purpose approach makes Shortform a very useful learning tool.
Notably Shortform syncs with Notion, the popular organization and productivity app, so you can integrate and organize your notes.
And to make it even more convenient Shortform has a Chrome extension that can summarize webpages and even videos on YouTube for you.
If you want to learn continuously Shortform’s premium plan is for you. You get 5 new books every week plus an already large library.
And with the premium service comes an AI browser extension that brings AI-driven summaries to online articles and videos to you so you can retain more knowledge and save time.
Lastly Shortform is all about expanding your knowledge and improving information absorption. It also positions itself as a tool for personal growth, helping users focus on areas they want to improve.
How Shortform book summaries work
Shortform is not your average book summary app; it enhances the reading experience with extra features. Users can read summaries to save time and money compared to buying individual entire book, and gain access to a wide range of good ideas condensed from best-sellers.
How to start?
Install the app, sign up. You can sign up using Facebook, Google or Apple.
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Once you’ve chosen your interests and goals on a small quiz Shortform’s algorithm will curate a personalized reading list. Dive into full summaries where audio narrations bring content to life for on-the-go learning. Engage with an interactive community to learn more.
When signed up you can browse 2 free book guides: Deep Work and How to Win Friends and Influence People. Jump into the full experience with a 5-days free trial and get access to a ton of knowledge across many genres.
Shortform also makes it super convenient. PDF summaries for offline reading and the integration with Notion means all your notes are organized and synced across platforms. Please note that to download content for offline reading, you need to end your free trial and become a full subscriber.
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Tabs Quick Guide:
The app is divided into six main tabs and a profile menu. Let's dive into each section to see what they offer.
Discover tab: New book guides and articles, filtered by your interests. Discover tab is divided into smaller sections: Continue reading, Recommended, New Releases, Popular Books, Collections, Articles
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Books tab: You can explore the entire library by applying category filters. Additionally, you can easily sort the extensive book list based on criteria such as the latest releases, popular titles, alphabetical order, or recommended reads.
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Articles tab: Just like the Books tab, the Article tab organizes all of Shortform's articles in a similar manner. You also have the option to sort the articles by the latest, most popular, or alphabetical order.
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Podcasts tab: In this tab, you will find a list of their podcast summaries. While it would be nice to have some category filters, there are currently none available.
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My Library tab: Conveniently stores all your engaged books. It includes the Reading Now section for unfinished summaries, the Favorites section for your chosen favorites, and the Finished section for completed summaries.
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Search tab: In this tab the Shortform allows to search for book summaries, articles, and podcasts using keywords.
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What’s different about Shortform?
In a crowded space of book summary services Shortform stands out by delivering a more full and engaging experience. Shortform provides access to a plethora of great ideas that can significantly impact learning, creative output, and overall knowledge. It goes beyond the standard summary services and embeds a range of features to cater to different readers and learning styles. Where others focus on brevity Shortform focuses on depth, interconnected ideas and practical application so it’s the choice for the reader who wants more from their reading.
Shortform features
Shortform brings a multi-faceted approach to book summaries with:
Navigation and User Experience (UX): Shortform ensures a seamless reading experience with intuitive navigation. Each book summary begins with a concise 1-page summary, giving readers an overview of the key points. It is then followed by the comprehensive book guide, which is divided into chapters.
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Diverse Book Guides with Exercises: Each book guide has exercises and insights from multiple sources so it’s a multi-dimensional learning experience beyond just a summary.
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Formatting options: For customizing your reading experience you can change font size (4 options available). As well you can change a font family: for now just 3 fonts available: Rotunda, Open Sans, Merriweather.
Also you can play around with line height, margins. If you don't like it you can always have the ability to reset to default settings.)
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Audio versions: You have the ability to listen to book summaries at your desired speed (from 0.3x to 3.5x). You can easily download the audio for offline access. While some of the book summaries are narrated by AI, the majority of them are human-narrated. It's worth noting that articles are primarily narrated by AI.
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Highlighting and taking notes: select any text you liked and give it some special attention by highlighting it, adding a note, or even sharing it with others. Your personal profile keeps a record of all these highlights and notes, allowing you to revisit them whenever you want and directly navigate to specific points in the book.
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Weekly Content Updates: Shortform adds an average of 5 new books per week to the library so it stays fresh and relevant.
Shortform Podcasts: Shortform with the help of AI adds summaries of popular podcasts, providing readers with key takeaways and actionable insights. This feature is perfect for readers who want to stay informed without having to listen to the full episodes.
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Notion Note Syncing: Notion users will love the seamless syncing of notes across platforms.
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Readwise Integration: Sync your highlights with the popular Readwise app to extend your personalized book insights.
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Why choose Shortform over other book summary app
Choosing Shortform comes with many benefits so it’s the perfect choice for users who want more from their book summary app:
Big and Growing Library: Access over 1,100+ book summaries and the library will continue to grow with the premium plan.
Full Book Guides: Swap out simple summaries for full guides with exercises and extra information from multiple sources.
Free AI Summarization Tool: The AI browser extension is included so you can summarize any digital content for free.
Weekly New Releases: Get 5 new books per week plus access to articles, community platforms, PDF downloads and audio formats for a more immersive learning experience.
By including these features and benefits Shortform redefines what you can expect from a book summary app and promises a more full and enjoyable experience.
Shortform vs Blinkist
When looking at book summary apps Shortform and Blinkist are often the top two contenders. While both services aim to summarize non-fiction books into bite-sized formats there are some key differences. How do these two platforms compare in terms of depth of summaries, user experience and value for money? We’ll go through these comparison points to help you decide whether Shortform or Blinkist is for you.
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Books count | 1,100 | 7,500 |
Works offline | yes | yes |
Free trial | 5-days | 7-days |
Free version | limited (2 free books) | yes |
Apps | Android, iOS, web | Android, iOS, web |
Monthly plan | $24 | $15.99 |
Annual plan | $197 | $99.99 |
Annual with discount | $155.63 | $64.99 |
Refund | No refund | 14-day refund policy |
Podcasts | Podcast summaries | Shortcasts |
Summaries | Padded out, detailed | Short, concise (15-min blinks) |
Exercises | Includes interactive exercises | No exercises |
App Usability | Good, with occasional glitches | High, with smooth performance |
Engagement | Potentially higher due to depth and interactivity | Less engaging but more succinct |
Replacement for Books | Closest to actual books | More for quick insights |
AI summarize extension | Free for premium | No extension |
App Store rating | 4.5 | 4.8 |
Google Play rating | 4.5 | 4.4 |
Read our Blinkist review to know more about Blinkist features.
How Shortform compares with Blinkist
Shortform differentiates itself from other apps like Blinkist with its focus on depth. Here’s a quick comparison:
Content Depth: Shortform’s guides are full, often several pages long with detailed summaries, Blinkist’s are shorter “blinks” of key ideas. Reading these detailed summaries can help you generate more ideas.
Interactivity: Shortform has interactive exercises within summaries to help with the learning and application process.
Free Trial: Both Shortform and Blinkist have free trial. Blinkist has 7-days free trial, Shortform 5-days free trial. Shortform’s trial gives you full access to the content so you can dive deep before committing to a payment.
Subscription Cost: Shortform is $24/month or $197/year. Blinkist is known for being affordable: $15.99/month or $99.99/year.That might be more appealing to budget book lovers.
Library Size: Blinkist has a larger library with thousands of titles - ~7,500, Shortform has a smaller library (~1,100) but more detailed book guides which might be preferred by users who want in-depth information.
In short Blinkist might be for those who want breadth and a low price. Shortform is for those who want depth and are willing to engage with longer and more interactive content.
Shortform vs Blinkist user experience
When comparing user experience between Shortform and Blinkist there are some differences. Blinkist is known for its user friendly interface and performance, often described as more usable and less buggy. It has short book summaries called ‘blinks’ that are around 15 minutes long for those who want a quick summary without distractions.
Shortform summaries are longer and have interactive exercises that can make the learning process more interactive and fun. Users find this depth is closer to reading a full book which is something Shortform has that no one else has.
In summary, Shortform may provide a more enriching experience for those seeking depth and engagement, while Blinkist fits users who favor brevity and a no-frills approach to learning.
Interface comparison
Users looking for an engaging learning experience might prefer Shortform because of its interactive exercises with summaries which is a feature that Shortform has that Blinkist doesn’t. While Blinkist’s brief summaries are for quick consumption of information, Shortform’s exercises can help with retention and application of knowledge.
When it comes to accessibility both Shortform and Blinkist are great because they offer their service across multiple platforms. Whether on web, iOS or Android, Shortform has a consistent interface so you can switch between devices seamlessly. Blinkist also lets you access their vast library of summaries on any device you want.
Both apps use AI to power their features—with Shortform having a browser extension for on-the-fly summarization and Blinkist having smart search AI for quick learning.
Before you commit, you can try the platforms’ free trials. This hands-on approach allows you to compare not just the content but also the interface and usability of each app.
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Interactive exercises | Brief summaries for quick learning |
Consistent interface across web, iOS, Android | Cross-platform accessibility |
Browser AI extension | Efficient learning with AI search |
Both services make learning and access a priority with Shortform getting a nod for its interactive approach.
Book selection and offerings
Shortform’s Evolving Library Shortform is growing its library but its not as big as some of its competitors yet. So if you’re an avid reader you might not find every title you’re looking for especially if you have niche interests.
Quality Over Quantity What Shortform lacks in volume it makes up for in quality. The book summaries are crafted with love and taken at a slower pace. Only a few new titles are added every week so each summary gets the attention it deserves.
Summary and Analysis Shortform’s summaries are not just summaries. It’s a blend of summary and analysis so readers get an opinionated take on each book and dive into the details of the content.
For Discovery Those looking to discover their next favorite book might like Shortform. While it’s not yet for those who are looking for specific titles, its enriching summaries makes it a goldmine for learners who want to explore.
Added Value Each summary goes beyond mere summarization by adding references and practical exercises so readers can not just understand but also apply the ideas from their reading.
Pricing Comparison: Shortform vs Blinkist
When you enter the world of book summaries, users often weigh the cost between services like Shortform and Blinkist. Here’s a quick comparison to help you understand their pricing:
Trial Period:
Shortform offers 5-days free trial, enough to try out their full book guides
Blinkist has 7-days free trial, a bit more time to try out their offerings
Free Plan:
Blinkist gives users 1 free book per day and some free content, while Shortform provides free users with 2 specific books for the entire period.
Shortform: 2 free books
Blinkist: Free collections
Refund Policy:
Blinkist has a 14-day refund policy for paid plans
Shortform doesn’t have a refund policy
Monthly Subscription Cost:
Blinkist: $15.99/month
Shortform: $24/month
Annual Subscription Cost:
Blinkist: $99.99/month
Shortform: $197/month
While Shortform is more expensive, you have to consider the depth of content and features like exercises that might justify the cost. Ultimately it’s up to the user to decide what’s valuable, detailed and budget-friendly.
Shortform and Blinkist user reviews
Shortform’s user reviews are positive especially with its detailed study guides that encourage deep engagement with the content. On Google Play and App Store Shortform has a 4.5 and 4.5 out of 5 rating respectively. Users love the notes, commentaries and inclusion of additional sources and facts that make the book summaries more substantial. Blinkist's ratings on Google Play and the App Store are 4.4 and 4.8, respectively. Blinkist has a significantly higher number of reviews compared to Shortform on both platforms.
Plus Shortform’s summaries have helped readers decide whether to read the full book or get the gist through the summary. Its in-depth analysis is praised for really getting into the subject matter.
Blinkist, a competitor with 34 million users, has features like sharing accounts and sending summaries to Kindle devices. Describing the pros and cons of each will help users make a decision based on their preference.
Users like both for different reasons: Shortform’s depth and context and Blinkist’s shareability and convenience.
How much does Shortform cost?
Shortform offers in-depth non-fiction titles to help readers extract and apply knowledge. Here’s the breakdown of Shortform’s pricing:
Monthly Plan: The monthly subscription is $24.
Annual Plan: The annual paid plan is $197, which is $16.42/month.
Reader Discount: With the reader discount, the annual cost can be $155.63, which is $12.97/month.
Despite the subscription cost hurdle, the access to over 1,100 Book Guides, 500+ Articles and Topic Guides, Podcast summaries, mobile compatibility, audio narrations and community engagement and more, Shortform offers a lot of value to its subscribers.
Shortform Selection
Shortform has a wide and growing library of book summaries categorized to make your reading experience better across many interests. Here’s a table of their categories to help you navigate their content:
Arts / Design
Biography / Memoir
Business
Career / Success
Communication
Economics
Education
Entertainment
Entrepreneurship
Fiction
Food
Health
History
Law
Lifestyle
Management / Leadership
Marketing
Media
Money / Finance
Motivation
Parenting
Philosophy
Politics
Productivity
Psychology
Relationships
Sales
Science
Self-Improvement
Society / Culture
Spirituality
Sports
Technology
Whether you want to dive into ‘Business’, get insights on ‘Self-Improvement’ or explore ‘Management / Leadership’, Shortform has it all. Each category has summaries and guides to help you absorb the ideas and apply the lessons from many genres and fields.
Popular books on Shortform
Shortform has many book guides but some stand out as most popular. Here are the top 5:
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman A look into the two systems that govern our thinking: the intuitive and the rational. Kahneman, a Nobel laureate, explains how these systems shape our judgments and decisions.
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear A simple framework to make small changes that lead to big improvements in your habits and life.
"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey Timeless advice on principles of fairness, integrity and human dignity to achieve personal and professional effectiveness.
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie A classic guide to the essential skills to navigate social situations and professional relationships with ease and success.
"Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari A journey from the dawn of humankind to the present, questioning and analyzing the events that have shaped our species.
These summaries aim to capture the main ideas of each book without losing the key points.
Shortform AI
Shortform is more than just summaries of over 1,100 factual books. Its AI tool goes beyond that and summarizes everything, so you can stay up to date on many topics. Whether it’s the latest in finance, societal changes, podcast conversations or international news in many languages, Shortform’s AI will extract the essential points.
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Here’s how the AI tool works:
Content Variety: Summarizes news articles, YouTube videos, research papers and more.
Library Access: Adds to the native 1,100 book catalog with extra content coverage.
Multilingual Summaries: Translates foreign language articles to be more inclusive and diverse.
One-Click Summaries: Summarizes webpages and videos in a snap, flexible and efficient.
And best of all, the Shortform AI feature is included for premium users. Shortform is committed to providing a complete and convenient learning experience that fits your life. Whether you’re on the go or deep diving into a topic, Shortform’s AI is at your service with a click.
