Is Blinkist Really Worth It?

What is Blinkist and How Does It Work?

Blinkist is a popular mobile app and website that offers summaries, or "blinks," of non-fiction books and podcasts. It's designed to help users quickly grasp the key insights and ideas from a wide range of books, allowing them to learn in a shorter amount of time. Blinkist's library includes thousands of titles spanning various genres, from self-help and business to science and history.

The app works by condensing the contents of books and podcasts into bite-sized summaries that can be read or listened to in just a few minutes. Each "blink" offers a concise overview of the book's main concepts, allowing users to decide whether they want to explore the full book or podcast further.

How Much Does Blinkist Cost?

Blinkist offers both free and premium subscription options. With a free account, users have limited access to a selection of free blinks. To unlock the full potential of Blinkist, you can subscribe to Blinkist Premium. As of my knowledge cutoff date in September 2021, the cost of Blinkist Premium was approximately $12.99 per month or $79.99 per year. However, pricing may have changed since then, so it's essential to check the latest subscription fees on their website or app.

Is the App Blinkist Free?

Blinkist does offer a free version of its app, but it comes with limitations in terms of content access. Free users can explore a limited selection of free blinks and gain a sense of how the platform works. However, to access the full library of book summaries and unlock premium features, a subscription to Blinkist Premium is required.

Does Apple Really Recommend Blinkist?

As of my last update in September 2021, Blinkist had a presence on the Apple App Store and was generally well-received by users. While Apple may feature various apps, they don't officially "recommend" apps in the same way as they might promote their own products. The popularity and user reviews of Blinkist, though, suggest that it's a valuable app for individuals looking to access knowledge quickly and conveniently.

Rating: How Good is Blinkist?

The quality of Blinkist depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a way to gain quick insights from a wide range of non-fiction books and podcasts, then Blinkist can be a valuable tool. It condenses information effectively, making it accessible to those with limited time for extensive reading.

However, it's worth noting that Blinkist's summaries are not a replacement for reading full books or listening to entire podcasts. They serve as a starting point for learning about a topic, and whether it's "good" for you depends on your goals. For quick knowledge consumption, it's highly rated. For in-depth understanding, it may not be sufficient.

Purpose: What is the Point of Blinkist?

The primary purpose of Blinkist is to make learning and personal growth more accessible and efficient. It caters to individuals who have busy schedules or limited time for reading but still want to expand their knowledge. Blinkist helps users discover new ideas, trends, and concepts quickly. It is particularly useful for those seeking personal or professional development, as well as general knowledge enrichment.

Best Alternatives: Best Alternative to Blinkist

Several alternatives to Blinkist offer similar services, each with its own unique features. Some of the best alternatives to Blinkist include:

1. Audible: Audible provides audiobook summaries and full-length audiobooks across a wide range of genres.

2. Instaread: Like Blinkist, Instaread offers book summaries but with a focus on key takeaways.

3. GetAbstract: GetAbstract is a service that provides summaries of books, articles, and videos, with a strong emphasis on business and leadership content.

4. StoryShots: StoryShots offers summaries of non-fiction books and is known for its easy-to-digest visual format.

Cons of Blinkist

While Blinkist has many advantages, there are some potential drawbacks to consider:

1. Limited Depth: The summaries provided by Blinkist are concise, which means you may miss some of the nuance and depth found in the original works.

2. Subscription Cost: The full range of Blinkist's features is only available through a premium subscription, which may not be suitable for everyone.

3. Lack of Fiction: Blinkist mainly focuses on non-fiction books, so those interested in fiction may need to look elsewhere.

4. Subjectivity: The quality of summaries may vary, and the personal preferences of the summarizers can influence the content.

How It Works

Blinkist works by summarizing books and podcasts into bite-sized "blinks." Users can choose from a vast library of titles and explore the key insights and ideas within a matter of minutes. Here's how it typically works:

1. Choose a Title: Select a book or podcast that interests you from Blinkist's extensive library.

2. Read or Listen: Access the summary through written text or audio, based on your preference.

3. Learn Key Insights: Gain an understanding of the book's main concepts, ideas, and takeaways in a concise format.

4. Decide to Explore Further: Use the summary to decide whether you want to delve deeper by reading or listening to the full book or podcast.

In summary, Blinkist is a valuable tool for individuals looking to access knowledge quickly and conveniently. It condenses non-fiction content effectively, making it accessible to those with limited time for extensive reading. Whether Blinkist is worth it for you depends on your specific needs and goals. It's a powerful resource for learning but should be used as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, full-length books and podcasts.