Blinkist vs Headway: A Side-by-Side Comparison!
Choosing the right book summary app can be tricky, especially with options like Blinkist and Headway.
Both promise to save you time while keeping you informed, but which one fits your needs better?
In this article, I’ll compare Blinkist and Headway side by side—covering their features, pricing, and unique perks—to help you decide which app deserves a spot on your iPhone.
Comparison Table
I’ll kick things off with a side-by-side comparison table of Blinkist and Headway.
It’s a quick way to get an overview of both apps, but I highly recommend reading the full article for a deeper understanding.
| Category | Blinkist | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| User Interface | Clean, professional, and straightforward design | Vibrant, playful, and colorful interface |
| Setup Time | Quick setup (1-2 minutes) | Slightly longer setup (5-8 minutes) |
| Library Size | Over 7,500 summaries | Over 1,600 summaries |
| Content Variety | Book summaries, podcasts, guides, Blinkist Shorts, and original content | Book summaries only |
| AI Features | Blinkist AI: Extracts key points from articles, web pages, podcasts, etc. | No AI features available |
| Audio Quality | Superior (human narration) | Average (AI voices) |
| Reading Experience | Good, but lacks bullet lists and quotes for depth | Short paragraphs, bullet points, and integrated quotes for readability |
| Interactive Features | Weekly goal | Excellent, with bullet points and quotes for better engagement |
| Unique Features | Blinkist AI and Shorts | Interactive tools |
| Best For | Deep learners who want variety, advanced tools, and a professional vibe | Casual readers who enjoy playful designs and motivational features |
| Free Version | Available (1 book summary/day) | Available (1 book summary/day) |
| Pricing (Monthly) | $12.99 (Pro) | $12.99 |
| Pricing (Quarterly) | Not available | $29.99 |
| Pricing (Yearly) | $79.99 (Premium) / $139.99 (Pro) | $89.99 |
Interface
Blinkist and Headway both keep things simple, but they go about it in their own unique ways.
Blinkist has a clean, no-nonsense design that’s easy to love.
Setting it up takes just 1-2 minutes—much quicker compared to Headway’s 5-8 minutes.
Once you’re in, everything feels well-organized.
You’ll see a tab for your weekly goal right away, where you can track how many summaries you’ve read and even see stats like key ideas discovered.
With their latest update, Blinkist added a dedicated Shorts tab for quick reads and moved Blinkist AI to a big Plus button on the menu bar.
It’s simple, straightforward, and gets you right to the content without distractions.
Headway, on the other hand, has a more vibrant and playful vibe.
The first thing you’ll notice is the weekly growth tracker, which gives you a motivational boost to stick to your reading goals.
The app is divided into four main tabs: For You, Explore, Library, and Profile, making it easy to find what you need without feeling overwhelmed.
My View: Blinkist keeps things professional and polished, while Headway adds a fun, colourful touch. Both are easy to navigate, so it’s all about which style suits you better.
What Stands Out
Blinkist and Headway both have unique highlights, offering completely different vibes to match your preferences.
Blinkist recently introduced Shorts, which let you learn something new in just a few minutes.
Then there’s the much-talked-about Blinkist AI, which truly takes things up a notch.
You can use it to extract key points from just about anything—web pages, videos, podcasts, articles, and even files you upload.
It’s a game-changer if you love digging into content from various sources.
Headway, on the flip side, doesn’t have AI tools (at least for now), but it makes up for it with a more interactive approach.
The weekly growth monitor keeps you motivated, and their gamified Challenges add a fun, rewarding touch to your learning experience.
One feature I personally enjoy is the Repetition tool, which lets you save and revisit quotes that really hit home.
What I love most is how these apps cater to different styles. Blinkist feels like the efficient, no-nonsense mentor, while Headway turns learning into a playful, interactive journey.
Audio Summaries: My Experience
When it comes to audio quality, Blinkist is, without a doubt, ahead of the game.
Blinkist features human narrators for their summaries, which makes the listening experience smooth and engaging.
On the other hand, Headway uses AI-generated voices.
While they’ve added the option to switch between male and female voices—which is a nice touch—it still doesn’t quite match the natural feel of Blinkist’s narrations.
For me, Blinkist takes the crown in the audio department. If you’re someone who prefers listening over reading, it’s pretty clear which app will make your ears happier.
Text Summaries: My Experience
Now, what about reading? Is there a difference? Definitely.
The Headway app stands out with a reading experience that feels more engaging.
They break their summaries into shorter paragraphs, use bullet points effectively, and sprinkle impactful quotes throughout.
These little touches make the content easier to follow and more memorable.
That’s not to say Blinkist doesn’t do a good job.
Their summaries also use short paragraphs for easy reading.
However, I noticed fewer bullet points and quotes, which could have added a bit more variety and depth to the reading experience.
So, when it comes to reading, both apps perform well. Headway might have a slight edge with its thoughtful layout, but Blinkist isn’t far behind.
Content Quality
Now, let’s dive into the real deal—content quality.
For me, the winner is clear: Blinkist.
Let me explain why.
Blinkist offers a massive library with over 7,500 book and podcast summaries, compared to just 1,600 on Headway.
But it’s not just about numbers.
Blinkist goes beyond book summaries, offering podcasts, guides, original content, and now the Shorts, which gives you more variety to explore.
Headway, on the other hand, sticks solely to book summaries.
And here’s the cherry on top—Blinkist AI.
This feature gives you unlimited access to summaries, opening up even more possibilities to learn and grow.
So, when it comes to content quality, Blinkist is the clear winner. It simply offers more depth, variety, and value.
Pricing Comparison: Blinkist vs Headway
| Plan | Blinkist | Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Available (1 summary/day) | Available (1 summary/day) |
| Monthly | $12.99 (Pro) | $12.99 |
| Quarterly | Not available | $29.99 |
| Yearly | $79.99 (Premium) / $139.99 (Pro) | $89.99 |
My Takeaway
At the end of the day, both Blinkist and Headway are fantastic apps that make it easier to learn and grow, even with a busy schedule.
Choosing between them really comes down to what you value most.
If you’re looking for a professional, feature-rich app with a massive library and advanced tools like Blinkist AI, then Blinkist is your perfect match. On the other hand, if you prefer a fun, budget-friendly app with a playful vibe and interactive features, Headway might just win your heart.
If you’ve made your choice, I’d recommend checking out my detailed reviews of Blinkist and Headway app.
They’ll give you an even clearer picture before you hit install.
