Blinkist vs getAbstract: Which App Offers Better Content?
Blinkist and getAbstract are two of the most popular book summary apps on the App Store.
With impressive ratings of 4.8 and 4.5 stars, it’s no wonder you’re wondering which one to pick.
I’ve been using both apps for a few months now, digging into their features and figuring out which one works best in different situations.
To make it easier for you, I’ve put together a simple checklist to help you decide.
Let’s dive straight in and get to the good stuff.
Comparison Table
For those in a hurry, I’ve put together a detailed comparison table to give you a quick side-by-side look at Blinkist vs getAbstract.
But trust me, it’s worth reading through the whole article to see which one truly stands out.
| Category | Blinkist | getAbstract |
|---|---|---|
| Target Audience | Broad audience | Focused on professionals and students |
| Library Size | 7,500+ | 27,000+ |
| Content Types | Books, guides, shortcasts, Shorts | Books, videos, articles, podcasts |
| AI Features | Available | Available |
| Interface | Clean, professional, and user-friendly | Minimalist and straightforward |
| Interactive Tools | Weekly goal tracker | None |
| Audio Quality | Human narrators | Human narrators |
| Text Format | Easy-to-read, structured summaries | Easy-to-read, structured summaries |
| Languages Supported | 3 | 7 |
| Free Trial | 7-day | 3-day |
| Pricing | Pro Monthly: $12.99, Pro Yearly: $139.99, Premium Yearly: $79.99 | Monthly: $29.90, Yearly: $299 |
Interface
When it comes to user experience, both Blinkist and getAbstract have a lot going for them.
I know you’re looking for a clear winner here, and I promise we’ll get to that—but honestly, both apps do a great job in their own way.
Blinkist, being the go-to name in summary apps, offers a clean and professional interface.
It feels polished and thoughtfully designed, with dedicated tabs like Short and AI tools (more on those later) to make everything super convenient for you.
On the other hand, getAbstract takes a minimalist approach.
Its no-fuss design encourages you to dive straight into summaries, one after the other.
It’s perfect for anyone who’s laser-focused on getting through as many summaries as possible without distractions.
Read more: Blinkist vs Headway
What Blinkist and getAbstract Have in Common?
Before diving into what sets Blinkist and getAbstract apart, let’s talk about what they share.
1. Motivation Tools
If you’re like me and love gamified features like badges, achievements, or leaderboards to stay motivated, you might find this part a little disappointing.
Neither Blinkist nor getAbstract offers interactive tools to keep you on track.
However, Blinkist does have a weekly goal tracker on the homepage, letting you set and track how many days you’ve finished at least one summary.
It’s a nice touch, but I wish they’d added more stats or features to really push that motivation up a notch.
For people who don’t care much about these tools, it’s not a big deal—and I totally get that.
But for me, interactive features like these really help me stay consistent.
Headway, another book summary app, actually does a fantastic job of integrating motivation tools, so it’s something worth noting if this is important to you.
2. Smart AI-Driven Features
AI has become a game-changer in our lives, and both Blinkist and getAbstract have tapped into it in their own unique ways.
Blinkist’s AI stands out because it lets you summarize almost anything—web pages, podcasts, videos, or even documents.
You can paste a public link or upload a file, and the app will generate a neat summary for you.
getAbstract, on the other hand, uses AI more like a smart assistant.
You can type in your queries, and it gives you a concise answer in a few paragraphs.
But here’s the twist—the app includes citations for every answer, linking you to related books.
So, if you want to dive deeper, it’s super helpful.
Personally, Blinkist’s AI feels more versatile because it can handle a wider range of content. That said, getAbstract’s AI still offers a lot of value, especially if you’re a book lover looking to explore further.
3. Superior Audio and Text Quality
When it comes to audio and text, both Blinkist and getAbstract nail it.
They use professional human narrators for their summaries, which makes listening a treat.
On the reading side, the text is clear and well-structured, making it easy to follow along.
But getAbstract adds an extra layer of convenience with its Take-Aways section.
Before diving into the full summary, you get a quick list of key points, which is perfect for anyone who just wants the highlights.
No matter which app you choose, you’ll enjoy top-notch quality, whether you prefer to read or listen.
4. Shared Topics and Categories
Lastly, both Blinkist and getAbstract offer a wide variety of topics and categories to explore.
What’s even better is that you can follow your favorite topics or categories to get personalized recommendations, making it easier to find content that matches your interests.
Blinkist vs getAbstract: What Sets Them Apart?
Now let’s dig into the key differences that make each app unique and help you decide which one’s the best fit for you.
1. Who Are These Apps For?
Do Blinkist and getAbstract target the same audience? Not really.
Blinkist is designed for a broader audience—anyone who loves non-fiction, from self-help to science to history.
It’s a go-to app for casual readers looking to explore ideas across a variety of genres.
On the flip side, getAbstract caters specifically to those with a keen interest in business and personal development.
If you’re someone who thrives on productivity hacks, leadership insights, or market trends, this app is your perfect match.
This difference in focus could be a deciding factor when choosing between the two.
2. Variety in Content Offerings
Both apps go beyond just books, which is fantastic.
getAbstract includes videos, articles, and podcasts, while Blinkist offers guides, shortcasts, and a newer feature called Shorts.
Shorts let you learn bite-sized lessons in no time—perfect for when you’re in a hurry.
Now, here’s the kicker: getAbstract boasts an enormous library with over 27,000+ summaries, while Blinkist offers 7,500+ summaries.
But don’t let the numbers fool you.
While getAbstract’s collection is undeniably impressive, Blinkist focuses on quality over quantity.
Every title in its library is a gem, and they add around 40–50 new pieces of content every month.
It’s more about what suits your learning style—quantity or curated quality.
3. Language Support
If you’re a multilingual learner, both apps have you covered.
getAbstract supports seven languages: English, German, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Russian, and Chinese.
Blinkist, while more limited, still covers the basics with support for three languages: English, German, and Spanish.
4. Cost Comparison: Blinkist vs getAbstract
| Category | Blinkist | getAbstract |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | 7-day free trial (with yearly Pro subscription) | 3-day free trial (no sign-up required) |
| Monthly | $12.99 (Pro) | $29.90 |
| Yearly | $79.99 (Premium), $139.99 (Pro) | $299 |
| Student Plans | None | Student Starter: Free (5,000 summaries), Student Pro: $8.30/month (Yearly plan, 27,000+ summaries) |
And the Winner Is… Blinkist or getAbstract?
So, which app should you choose? Honestly, it all comes down to what you need.
If you’re someone who loves exploring a wide range of non-fiction topics, enjoys a clean and user-friendly interface, and wants flexible AI tools to summarize anything from the web, Blinkist is the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re deeply into business, leadership, or personal development and want access to a massive library of resources, getAbstract has the edge.
At the end of the day, both apps are great at what they do.
The real question is: what’s your priority?
Once you figure that out, the choice becomes much easier.
So, go ahead, try them out, and pick the one that feels like the right fit for your journey.
