Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (2024)

If you were trying to decide between Blinkist or Headway, you may be wondering which of these options is the better one.

I decided to compare these two book summary apps as they offer the same thing to readers.

There is a Headway lifetime deal available ($59 one-time payment). Check it out here. These deals usually last only a few weeks.

NameBooksFeaturesReview
1200+Limited Lifetime Deal
VISIT SITE
6500+Free Daily Pick
VISIT SITE

With life being so busy, many people do not have the time to sit down and read an entire book like they used to.

This is where these kinds of apps come in, providing an efficient and quick solution to this problem.

Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (3)

The only problem that readers seem to have is deciding between these two options as they are so similar. It can’t be hard to find out which one is the better option as they provide the same kind of service to readers.

Find out whether or not Blinkist is better than Headway and what pros and cons each of these apps have. Or read our Headway app review.

Blinkist vs Headway: Which Is Better?

If you were trying to decide between Blinkist and Headway, there is no clear winner when it comes to these two apps.

Both do the same thing and have their own pros and cons, but neither seems to be better than the other.

I personally like Blinkist. I love their user-friendly platform and there are more books on Blinkist.

However, currently, there is a Headway lifetime deal, which is an unbeatable offer. In this case, I’d pick Headway over Blinkist. You have to use this special link to get the lifetime deal.

  • Free 7-day trial
  • 1200+ Books
  • Incredible Lifetime Deal
Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (5)
VISIT HEADWAY
  • Free Trial Available
  • 6500+ Books
  • iOS and Android Apps
Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (7)
VISIT BLINKIST (Non US/CA)

VISIT BLINKIST (US/CA only)

Both Headway and Blinkist are apps that allow people to read nonfiction books even if they don’t have much time for reading.

This is not a place where you can read books, however, as only summaries are made available.

They summarize non-fiction books on their apps, allowing readers to quickly get an idea of what the book is about.

This short summary summarizes the entire book and all of the important conclusions, allowing you to basically read the book in just 15 minutes.

This is a very unique idea that has only come about in recent years as more and more people have less time to read books. Make sure you read the Blinkist review.

Let’s Compare Them

BlinkistHeadway
Number of booksOver 6500Over 1200
Price$14.99/month or $99.99/year$14.99/month or $89.99/year
SupportEmail, Ticket SystemEmail and Chat
Audio versionsYesYes
Refund policy14-day money-back guaranteeN/A
Unique FeaturesCuration, Sharing and Podcast SummariesGamification, Challenges and Remembering
LanguagesEnglish, German and SpanishEnglish and Spanish
Available on These DevicesSmartphones (iOS and Android), Desktop, KindleSmartphones (iOS and Android) and web interface
Possibility to Use It OfflineYesYes

Though these apps only provide non-fiction book summaries as these are the types of books that most people just don’t have the time to sit down and read.

These short summaries allow you to understand what exactly the book is putting forward without having to spend hours upon hours reading the entire book.

This is a great option for people who want the knowledge but do not have the time to sit down and read it.

Another popular app is Audible. Here is a comparison between Audible and Blinkist and a list of the best book summary websites.

Usability

These two book summary apps are user-friendly and intuitive. They are designed with a streamlined interface featuring 3-4 navigation tabs.

While Blinkist is fully functional on both mobile and desktop, Headspace’s web version has limited capabilities.

Headway uses a more visually appealing and gamified approach to encourage daily learning, featuring elements similar to Instagram stories.

Blinkist, however, focuses on a professional and outcome-driven experience, efficiently surfacing specific knowledge resources.

The preference for either app is largely subjective and depends on individual tastes in user experience.

The first time I used Headway’s spaced repetition feature, I was pleasantly surprised by how effectively it reinforced my learning, making it a standout feature in my daily study routine.

Does Blinkist Have a Better Book Selection Than Headway?

Now that you know some of the details about these apps, you probably want to know which one has a better book selection.

This may be one of the most important details that set one of these apps apart from the other.

Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (8)

This is important as the book selection is going to be vital in allowing you to read the summaries that you were interested in.

If the app does not have the kind of books that you want to read, it will not be of any use to you.

If you need more details, here is my Headway App review.

Headway’s daily learning tracker has been a motivational tool for me, encouraging consistency in my reading habits, which was something I struggled with before.

Book Selections

When it comes to book selections, Blinkist is the winner here as it has over 4500 book summaries to choose from. This is a huge selection that gives you more than enough options if you are a picky reader.

This also includes some of the latest and most popular non-fiction books that you may be interested in reading.

In comparison to Blinkist, Headway is definitely on the lower end of the scale as it only has a couple hundred books to choose from.

Headway does not have nearly as many summaries, but it does offer some of the latest and most popular books.

So even if it doesn’t have all the summaries of the book that you may want to read, you will have access to the latest options.

If you are only interested in the newest releases in non-fiction or the most popular non-fiction titles, Headway is still a good option for you.

As an avid learner who juggles between various subjects, Blinkist’s personalized recommendations have often led me to discover fascinating new topics and authors.

Is Headway Easier to Use Than Blinkist?

Another important factor that will impact what app you choose between Headway and Blinkist is going to be how easy they are to use. This is because some apps are much easier to use than others depending on their design.

Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (9)

I like this about Headway

In my years of using book summary apps, I’ve noticed that Headway’s unique gamification approach adds a playful dimension to learning, which I find particularly engaging during my morning commutes.

I remember when I first stumbled upon Headway; its visually appealing interface immediately caught my eye, making the learning process not just informative but also aesthetically pleasing.

I like this about Blinkist

As someone who values crisp and concise summaries, my experience with Blinkist has been particularly satisfying, especially with their well-crafted audio versions that make multitasking a breeze.

It is not uncommon for people to download an app only to find that it is ridiculously complicated to manage and navigate.

This is a real issue and will often make up the difference between someone choosing one app or a different one.

The good thing is that both are considered to be very easy apps to use, even if you are technically challenged.

They are both very simple and straightforward, allowing readers to navigate the app with just a few simple steps:

  • Log into your account
  • Browse available titles
  • Pick a title and add it to your library

Once you have an account set up, all you need to do is log into your account and go to where you can browse through the available book titles.

If you see something that you like, all you need to do is pick that title and add it to your personal library.

Then you can go to your library to look through all the books that you have available and remove or add as you like.

Both Blinkist and Headway are set up like this, making them both very easy to use.

Does Headway Have Better Summaries Than Blinkist?

If you’re relying on an app to read a book summary rather than the full text, the quality of that summary becomes crucial. Of course, there is no way to create a summary that perfectly sums up the actual book.

Unfortunately, this is impossible to do as there is so much information in a book that cannot be boiled down to a 15-minute summary. However, both of these apps do a very good job at summarizing books nonetheless so that you get the gist of what they are about.

There is no clear winner when it comes to summaries as both Headway and Blinkist do an exceptional job at creating the summaries.

  • Both apps provide summaries that are detailed as well as brief
  • You will get an idea of what the book is about without spending too much time on the summary.

One thing you should know, however, is that there is an option to have summaries read out loud to you on Headway.

This works much like how you listen to an audiobook, except it is simply a 15-minute length summary.

This allows you to enjoy the summaries still even if you do not necessarily feel like reading yourself.

It is a special feature that blinkers does not yet have, setting Headway apart as it offers this convenient option to readers.

Read or listen to quality summaries – both apps offer this. The differences between Headway and Blinkist are minor.

Is Blinkist or Headway Cheaper?

Another important factor to consider is how much Blinkist and Headway both cost.

Blinkist has two options that you can choose from, one is a monthly payment plan where you pay $14.99 a month to use the app.

This Blinkist offer might change depending on several factors.

Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (10)

The other option that is available is an annual plan that allows you to pay for A longer amount of time. This plan comes to $99.99, drastically lowering how much you end up paying each month (or even lower depending on the promo they are running).

Headway Is Cheaper

From a personal standpoint, the cost-effectiveness of Headway’s annual plan was a major draw for me, especially when I was starting out and looking for value in educational apps.

Headway also has a monthly payment plan of $14.99 for readers to give them access to all features on the app. You can also choose an annual payment plan which comes to $89.99.

There is a lifetime deal for a limited time, though.

This makes Headway the winner as it is a little bit cheaper than Blinkist on both accounts.

Headway and Blinkist also have free trials that readers can use before committing to one of these payment plans.

Both apps have a seven-day free trial that allows you to test out the summaries of these books for free. Though it is important to remember that this is limited access, you do not have full access to the app on a free trial.

Once your free trial is over, you will not be able to use either one of these apps until you start a payment plan. The good thing is that you can always cancel these plans if you choose to later on.

Starting with a Blinkist subscription is quite simple, you just have to pick from a monthly and yearly plan.

The premium subscriptions on Headway are also similar.

Is Blinkist or Headway Better?

Headway is definitely the better app. Blinkist has over 4500 book titles, making it a better option for variety than Headway.

However Headway has a lifetime deal, which is an unbeatable value. Headway also has the option to have summaries read out loud to you.

You do not have to read them yourself, something that Blinkist does not have available.

When it comes to Blinkist vs Headway, both of these options are great, depending on what is more important to you.

Blinkist and Headway offer a range of book titles summarized into 15-minute reads, covering the book from start to finish.

Blinkist offers a larger library size, but Headway seems to offer better book summaries.

Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (11)

Both apps shine in their own ways.

Compared to Blinkist, Headway is slightly cheaper, saving you a few dollars every month.

As a long-time user of Blinkist, I’ve witnessed its evolution and can vouch for the consistent improvement in the quality of its summaries, which have become more engaging and diverse over time.

Headway’s approach to integrating visual elements into their summaries has been a game-changer for me, making complex concepts easier to grasp and remember.

Overall, both of these apps are great options if you have very limited time to enjoy non-fiction books.

Do you want to read nonfiction books, but you lack the time or commitment to go through the book from start to finish?

This is where these apps come in and help you to be able to read the book summary so that you get the main idea without reading the full book.

Visit Headway App here.

Visit Blinkist here.

FAQ

Is using book summary apps a less effective way of taking in knowledge?

The effectiveness of using a book summary app for acquiring knowledge depends on how it is used. It has limitations like reduced context and potential bias from the summary author. However, combining the app with reading full books can offer a balanced approach, providing an overview before deep reading or reinforcing understanding afterward.

Why would I read a full book when I can read a book summary?

Reading a full book often involves wading through extra content to get to the core ideas, whereas services like Blinkist distill the key points, allowing for quicker comprehension and retention. While full books offer depth and nuance, summaries provide a streamlined way to absorb the essential messages without spending much time.

  • Blinkist vs Headway: Which Is Better?
  • Let's Compare Them
  • Usability
  • Does Blinkist Have a Better Book Selection Than Headway?
  • Book Selections
  • Is Headway Easier to Use Than Blinkist?
  • I like this about Headway
  • I like this about Blinkist
  • Does Headway Have Better Summaries Than Blinkist?
  • Is Blinkist or Headway Cheaper?
  • Headway Is Cheaper
  • Is Blinkist or Headway Better?
  • FAQ
  • Is using book summary apps a less effective way of taking in knowledge?
  • Why would I read a full book when I can read a book summary?
Blinkist Vs Headway 2024 (Are They Any Good?) (2024)

FAQs

Which is best Blinkist or Headway? ›

Headway vs Blinkist

However, Blinkist is more aligned with fiction books & other such book categories while Headway is focused specifically on growth, education, learning & self-development; so it's for your self-improvement goals whereas Blinkist is for general purpose reading.

Is the headway app worth it? ›

Is Headway Worth It? Headway app is a great, but isn't the best. Blinkist offers 5–6 times more titles (6500+ on Blinkist vs 1000+ on Headway App) at a similar price point ($7-$8/month). The quality of summaries are also slightly better and engaging on Blinkist.

Is Blinkist really useful? ›

Is Blinkist worth it? Blinkist offers high quality summaries of over 6500+ titles, podcast summaries and shortcasts at an extremely affordable price of $8/month (paid annually). It also gives you an offer to share a subscription with a friend completely free, making it only $4/month.

What is the best book summary website? ›

1. Blinkist. Perhaps the most well-known book summary website, Blinkist remains at the top of the popularity lists for a good reason: being excellent at what it does.

What is the 10X rule Blinkist? ›

The 10X rule is based on the knowledge that success always requires more effort than you originally thought. You can look back on your life and easily see that your endeavors always demanded ten times more effort than you thought they would.

Does Apple recommend Blinkist? ›

Apple recommends Blinkist for all lifelong learners and top thinkers who want to learn how to be more productive in little to no time. In a fast-paced world where every second counts, a game-changing app, backed by Apple, steps into the spotlight.

Do people like the Headway app? ›

🏆 Headway Awards and Recognition

4.8 out of 5 stars on the App Store based on over 35,000 ratings. 4.7 out of 5 stars on the Google Play Store from over 70,000 reviews. 4.4 out of 5 stars on Capterra from over 1,300 users. 4.7 out of 5 stars on GetApp from over 1,500 reviews.

How much is headway app per year? ›

A one-year subscription to Headway runs $90, which means this deal saves you a chunk off the first year alone. And opting for the lifetime subscription via StackSocial means you'll never have to worry about recurring fees.

How much does Blinkist cost per year? ›

$99.99 per year

Is there an alternative to Blinkist? ›

Headway is a book summary app similar to Blinkist, offering concise summaries of non-fiction books. Users can access key insights from a wide range of books.

What do authors think about Blinkist? ›

What writers and avid readers think of Blinkist approach that “lets people read books in minutes by giving them extracted key takeaways”? I think it is fine if you are doing it for exams or tests. It is okay for some non-fiction books as well. But when it comes to fiction, I would want to read every word.

What is the free alternative to Blinkist? ›

QuickRead is a great alternative to Blinkist. It has a large selection of free book summaries available in audio or print. The book selection consists of non-fiction books in a number of categories.

What is the number 1 book website? ›

Most Visited Books and Literature Websites
RankWebsiteRank Change
1archiveofourown.org=
2wattpad.com=
3ficbook.net=
4litnet.com=
46 more rows

Does headway have lifetime subscription? ›

Headway Premium: Lifetime Subscription

The Headway app features over 1,500 summaries and it adds up to 50 new ones each month. For those planning a trip this fall or winter, those extra reads can go a long way in terms of entertainment on the road. Get a lifetime subscription to Headway Premium on sale for $60 (reg.

Who competes with Blinkist? ›

Top 7 blinkist.com Alternatives & Competitors
  • supersummary.com. 29,824. 8,936. 3.03M. 1.3. 84.17%
  • brainyquote.com. 11,940. 5,334. 8.44M. 1.8. ...
  • sparknotes.com. 6,361. 1,921. 16.25M. 2.2. ...
  • shortform.com. 38,395. 17,476. 2.26M. 1.3. ...
  • litcharts.com. 11,595. 4,283. 8.73M. 2.5. ...
  • gradesaver.com. 31,060. 16,372. 2.9M. 1.7. ...
  • bookey.app. 49,632. 24,654. 1.64M. 1.1.

Which is better 12 min app or Blinkist? ›

If you like a visually appealing and feature-rich interface, Blinkist might be a better choice. But if you prefer a straightforward, no-frills experience, 12Min could be more suited to your needs.

What is the best app for book reviews? ›

Goodreads is the world's largest community of readers. Find new and interesting books by browsing personalized recommendations based on books you've read and your favorite genres. See what your friends are reading, write book reviews, and keep track of what you want to read.

How much is headway per month? ›

Headway app plans are available at 12.99 US$/month, 29.99 US$/3-month, and 89.99 US$/year. The pricing may vary based on location or ongoing promotional campaigns. An app's free version is also offered, granting access to one book summary per day and daily insights presented in a narrative format.

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