Before we get into the nitty gritty of Shortform, I have to disclose that this review is *technically* sponsored. I say “technically” because while Shortform didn’t pay me to do this review, they have sponsored some of my content in the past. That doesn’t change my opinion of Shortform, nor will prevent me from pointing out its negatives, but it’s important that readers know of any potential conflicts of interest.
Also, this article contains affiliate links. If it helps you make a buying decision, I’d love for you to use my link. It’s a free way to support the work I do.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into Shortform. In this article I’ll explain:
- What is Shortform
- If Shortform lives up to the hype
- How I personally use Shortform
- Who should use Shortform
- How to get the most out of Shortform
Shortform is a powerful book summary app built for deep learning. It’s not the biggest library, but it’s the smartest. If you want speed, use Blinkist. If you want strategy, go with Shortform.
Try Shortform for 5 days free and get a 20% discount through this link here. I don’t have a deal with Blinkist, but if this article pushes you towards Blinkist, you can grab it through this link here.
Now let’s dive in!
What is Shortform?
Shortform is a premium book summary app and learning platform that goes far beyond your typical “CliffsNotes” experience. It’s essentially a curated library of in-depth, high-quality summaries for popular nonfiction books—think of it as a hybrid between a study guide, a reading assistant, and a knowledge coach.
Unlike other summary apps that give you a 10-minute surface-level overview, Shortform offers chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, key ideas, clarifications, and even smart commentary that fills in context the original book might leave out. You don’t just get the main ideas—you get interpretation, cross-references to related works, and even interactive exercises that help you retain and apply what you’ve read.
Available on desktop and mobile, Shortform is designed for people who want to understand books deeply—whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone with a lifelong love for learning.
In short, when people ask “What is Shortform?”, the answer is simple:
It’s the most comprehensive and thoughtful book summary service available today—built for people who want more than just a quick skim of ideas. Now, that language might sound like I’m just trying to sell you, but I want to take a brief moment and compare Shortform to the other big player in the “book summary” space, Blinkist.
Shortform Pricing: Is It Worth the Cost?
- Shortform costs $24/month or $197/year (about $16.42/month if paid annually).
- Blinkistcosts $15.99/month or $99.99/year.
Both offer free trials, but Shortform’s trial is more limited in access, so that’s a consideration.
Shortform vs Blinkist: Speed vs Substance
If you’re trying to decide between Shortform vs Blinkist, you’re not alone. These are two of the most well-known book summary apps available—but they serve very different purposes.
Blinkist is built for speed. Its 10–15 minute summaries—called “Blinks”—give you the core takeaways of nonfiction books in a format that’s easy to digest during a commute or while multitasking. It’s great for people who want a quick burst of insight without diving too deep.
Shortform, on the other hand, is built for depth and learning. The summaries are much longer and more structured, often featuring chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, expert commentary, counterpoints, and reflection prompts. It doesn’t just summarize the book—it helps you engage with the ideas, challenge them, and apply them.
Blinkist is tactical. Shortform is strategic.
Blinkist gives you ideas. Shortform helps you understand them.
That distinction plays a huge role in how I personally use Shortform.
Shortform vs Blinkist: Side-by-Side Comparison of Features, Depth, and Value
Trying to choose between Shortform and Blinkist? Here’s a detailed side-by-side comparison of both book summary apps.
This table breaks down how they differ in summary quality, analysis depth, features, and ideal use cases—so you can decide which one fits your learning goals in 2025 and beyond.
How I Use Shortform (And Why It Wins for Learning)
I don’t use Shortform as a replacement for reading—I use it as a supplement. There are two specific ways it’s become a valuable part of my learning process.
Reviewing books I’ve already read
Books like The Art of Learning and How to Lie With Statistics have a lot of nuance, and Shortform helps me revisit the key ideas with fresh clarity. The summaries add new context, surface takeaways I might have missed, and connect dots across other works—all in a format that feels like a guided review session.
Priming my brain before starting new books
When I’m about to dive into something dense like What Everybody Is Saying or The Righteous Mind, I’ll read the Shortform summary first. It gives me a solid mental framework, so I know what to look for and where to focus. It’s like warming up before a heavy workout—but for reading comprehension.
The Tradeoff: Library Size vs Learning Depth
To be transparent, Shortform’s library is smaller than Blinkist’s. If you’re looking for more obscure or niche books, you may be disappointed. For instance, I searched for The Triple Package by Amy Chua and Trust Me, I’m Lying by Ryan Holiday. Blinkist had summaries for both—Shortform didn’t.
But here’s the difference: the Blinkist summaries, while solid, felt like well-polished AI overviews. In contrast, Shortform reads like someone actually sat down with the book, researched context, and crafted something meaningful. The writing is human, the insights are connected, and the overall experience feels guided rather than skimmed.
That tradeoff makes sense. Tactics are fast to build. Strategies take time. Blinkist gives you volume. Shortform gives you value. So in the final analysis of Shortform vs Blinkist, it really comes down to what you’re looking for:
- If you want speed and convenience, Blinkist is the better fit.
- If you want depth, reflection, and long-term retention, Shortform wins—no question.
I want to make it clear that I’m not throwing any shade at Blankest. They’re a great platform. I use them. But I’m reviewing Shortform and part of that is highlight the strengths and weaknesses of not only Shortform, but of their competitors.
Does Shortform Live Up to the Hype?
That depends on what you’re hoping to get out of a book summary app.
If your goal is to blaze through as many books as possible so you can say you “read” them, Shortform probably isn’t for you. It’s not built for speed-reading your way to an ego boost. It’s built for learning—deep, thoughtful, connected learning.
When I first started exploring Shortform, I assumed it was just a more polished version of Blinkist. But the deeper I went, the more I realized it’s offering something different entirely.
Shortform doesn’t just tell you what a book says. It explains why those ideas matter, how they relate to other works, and what questions they raise. Many summaries include clarifications, counterpoints, and cross-references that give you context the original author may not have had time to cover.
It also does something most summary apps don’t even try: it helps you think.
A lot of the summaries include reflection prompts and application exercises that encourage you to engage with the material, not just absorb it. It’s like getting a coach to walk you through the key ideas and ask, “Okay, now what are you going to do with this?”
Shortform also includes a surprisingly solid set of original articles on current events and hot-button issues. These aren’t just summaries—they’re deep dives that fact-check popular claims, unpack the arguments, and explain how they fit into a broader context. If you’re tired of media that skims the surface, this is a nice bonus feature you probably wouldn’t expect from a book summary app.
There are also practical features that make the app useful day-to-day:
- The ability to take notes directly in summaries and articles
- Highlighting and syncing with Readwise or Notion
- Offline reading
- And AI-generated audio summaries for when you want to listen on the go
So does Shortform live up to the hype?
Not if you’re looking for shortcuts.
But if you’re someone who values understanding over information, who wants to think deeper, connect more, and learn better, then yes—it absolutely does.
Who should use Shortform?
Shortform is best for:
- Students or professionals who want to retain and apply ideas, not just consume them
- Readers who enjoy connecting concepts across books
- Writers, creators, and thinkers looking to build a personal knowledge base
- People who enjoy reflection and deep dives, not surface-level skimming
Blinkist is best for:
- People looking for fast, entertainment-style summaries
- Users who value library size over depth
- Those who prefer listening to reading
FAQ:
Is Shortform better than Blinkist?
If you want depth, context, and comprehension, yes. If you want quick takeaways, Blinkist may be a better fit. Blinkest also has a larger content library, so keep that in mind. Shortform also covers content beyond book summaries, so that’s another consideration.
Does Shortform offer fiction summaries?
No. Shortform focuses on nonfiction across categories like psychology, business, philosophy, and self-improvement. I personally don’t think anyone should use summaries for fiction, but that’s probably part of my opinion you didn’t ask for.
Can I use Shortform offline?
Yes—summaries can be downloaded and read offline in the mobile app.
Does Shortform have audio versions?
Yes, but they’re AI-narrated, not read by humans. If you prefer human narration, you Blinkist is better for you.
If this review helped you decide, you can try Shortform free for 5 days using my affiliate link. It won’t cost you anything extra—and it’s a simple way to support the work I do.
Is Shortform worth the money?
Whether you’re a student, a creator, or just someone looking to learn more deeply, I think you’ll find Shortformto be a valuable tool in your growth stack.
Or, perhaps you want the quick insights, bigger library, and human narration. In that case, go with Blinkist.
