You know how we all say we want to read more but never actually do? Yeah, same.
I have a long list of books I want to get through, but between work and everything else, it never seems to happen. I needed a way to absorb more without spending hours reading.
That’s when I found Blinkist—a book summary app that breaks down non-fiction books into 15-minute audio and text summaries. Then I came across Headway, which does the same thing but adds challenges, gamification, and tools to help you remember what you read.
So which one is the better app for learning faster?
Let’s compare.
What Are Blinkist and Headway?
If you're choosing between Blinkist and Headway, the main thing to know is that both offer book summaries, but they go about it differently.
Blinkist Overview
Blinkist condenses non-fiction books into short, 15-minute summaries you can read or listen to. The library has thousands of titles, and new ones are added every month. It’s designed for people who want to get key insights without spending hours reading.
Headway Overview
Headway also offers book summaries but with a focus on making learning easier to remember. It includes challenges and daily goals to help you build a habit of learning. The selection is smaller than Blinkist, but it still covers a wide range of topics.
Key Differences: Blinkist vs. Headway
When you're choosing between Blinkist and Headway, it really comes down to how you like to take in information.
One keeps it simple with quick, straight-to-the-point summaries. The other helps you remember what you learn with extra features.
I’ve used both a lot. Here’s what I found different between them and when one might be a better fit than the other.
Summary Handling
Blinkist and Headway handle book summaries in completely different ways.
Blinkist feels like a focused reading session. The summaries are clear and professional. When I tried popular business books like Atomic Habits (which explains how small changes lead to big results) and Think and Grow Rich (a classic on success principles), I got straight to the key points without extra details.
Headway takes the same books but turns them into a more interactive experience. Instead of just reading or listening, you get visuals, knowledge checks, and progress tracking. It’s a different way to learn, but the added features can sometimes take attention away from the content.
Both apps deliver their summaries in about 15 minutes, and you can choose between text and audio. I use Blinkist when I want insights fast and Headway when I want to spend more time reinforcing what I learn.
Content Selection
The size difference between these apps is pretty obvious once you start using them.
Blinkist has a massive library—over 6,500 book summaries and growing. Any business book you've seen trending on LinkedIn or mentioned in newsletters, you'll probably find it here. They add about 40 new ones every month.
Headway's got fewer books, around 1,500, but they're pickier about what they add. They focus on trending business and self-help titles. When everyone starts talking about a new book, Headway usually gets it up quickly.
I've found this difference matters in practice. With Blinkist, I can almost always find specific books I'm looking for. With Headway, I end up discovering books I might have missed.
Features and Platform Experience
These apps have taught me a lot about how I actually learn from books.
Blinkist feels like reading a well-made business report. I open it when I need quick insights, usually between meetings or during research. Their Shortcasts are perfect for catching up on business podcasts I never have time to hear in full.
Blinkist features:
- Reading experience: A clean, distraction-free interface with highlights and offline access, so you can focus on what matters.
- Note-taking: Syncs with Evernote and turns highlights into quick review cards for easy recall.
- Extra content: Shortcasts condense hour-long podcasts into 15-minute takeaways, plus expert guides for deeper learning.
Headway reminds me of those language learning apps. It turns everything into a game. After two weeks, I found myself checking it every morning just to keep my streak going.
Headway features:
- Learning system: Turns book summaries into structured lessons with visual aids and knowledge checks
- Progress tracking: Shows your daily streaks, learning stats, and achievements to keep you motivated
- Practice tools: Flashcards and quizzes help reinforce what you've learned from each summary
I use Blinkist when I need quick insights. If I want to dig deeper and retain what I learn, Headway works better.
Learning Style and Retention
Some days I want to learn quickly, others I need information to really stick.
Blinkist handles this traditionally. You read, highlight, maybe take some notes. When going through summaries like Atomic Habits, I could focus purely on the content without distractions.
Headway uses visual learning and spaced repetition. Their approach helped me remember concepts better—like turning key points into flashcards I could review later. It works well when you're trying to master something new.
Pricing and Value
The monthly cost is about the same for both apps—$14.99.
Blinkist's yearly plan costs $99.99, saving you almost half over monthly payments. You get a week to try it free. Pretty standard stuff.
Headway charges $89.99 for the year. But they often run special deals. I grabbed a lifetime access deal for $60 through StackSocial, which was pretty sweet.
Most users only read 3-4 summaries a month. So while Blinkist has more books, you might not need that bigger library.
Both apps let you test everything free for a week. That's enough time to figure out which one works for you.
Pros and Cons
Here's what I discovered after using both apps for three months.
Blinkist pros:
- Huge library (6,500+ books and growing)
- Clean, distraction-free reading experience
- Great for quick research and specific topics
- Shortcasts feature for podcast summaries
- Works well on both phone and laptop
Blinkist cons:
- Basic learning tools (just reading and highlighting)
- Lose access to everything if you cancel
- More expensive yearly plan ($99.99)
- No interactive elements for better retention
- Can feel too stripped down at times
Headway pros:
- Visual summaries that help concepts stick
- Daily challenges that build reading habits
- Effective spaced repetition system
- Often runs lifetime deals
- Makes learning feel more engaging
Headway cons:
- Smaller library (around 1,500 books)
- Gamification can be distracting
- Takes longer to get through summaries
- Mobile-focused (web version is limited)
- Learning tools might feel excessive for some
My take? Use Blinkist for research and quick learning. Go with Headway if you want help building a daily reading habit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which app summarizes books better?
Blinkist keeps it simple with key points and examples. Headway adds visuals and quizzes. I use Blinkist for quick learning, Headway when I want to really test my understanding.
Are the free trials worth it?
Yes. Both apps give you 7 days free access to everything. That's enough time to test their different approaches and see which fits your style.
What about refunds?
Blinkist offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. Headway has a 30-day refund policy if you're not satisfied.
Can I use these offline?
Both apps let you download summaries for offline reading or listening. Just make sure to do it while you have internet connection.
