Blinkist review

Blinkist belongs on this list as the alternative to reading faster: reading less. Its App Store listing describes 9,000+ summaries of nonfiction and fiction books and podcasts, each about 15 minutes long, in text and audio. A daily pick, personalized recommendations and expert-curated Guides help you choose what to read, and summaries can be downloaded offline or sent to a Kindle. Blinkist Pro adds Blinkist AI, which summarizes articles, PDFs and videos you supply. Premium includes a second account for someone close to you. Blinkist says over 42 million people use it. The trade-off is obvious: it does nothing for your own reading speed, and a summary cannot replace a textbook or contract you must read in full. The US App Store lists Premium at $12.99 to $15.99 a month and from $79.99 a year, with Pro at $139.99. Use it alongside a speed reader, not instead of one, if your goal is to read more books.

Who it is for

busy readers who want key ideas instead of full books

Price

Blinkist Premium from $12.99 a month on the US App Store, with yearly plans from $79.99 and Pro listed at $139.99.

Blinkist Premium (1 Month) $12.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• 9,000+ summaries of books and podcasts, about 15 minutes each
• Audio and text versions of every summary
• Blinkist Pro adds Blinkist AI to summarize articles, PDFs and videos
• Offline downloads and Send-to-Kindle
• Premium includes a second account for a friend or family member

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Covers far more titles in a week than any speed reading method
• Strength: Audio lets you learn while commuting or exercising
• Strength: Premium includes a 2-for-1 account
• Weakness: Does not train or raise your reading speed
• Weakness: Summaries replace the full text, so detail and nuance are lost
• Weakness: Several Premium prices appear on the listing, from $12.99 to $15.99 a month

Key facts

• Summaries: 9,000+
• Summary length: About 15 minutes
• Users: Over 42 million, per Blinkist
• Pro: Listed at $139.99

Where it ranks

Blinkist is No. 9 in our Best Speed Reading Apps verdict.