Blinkist alternatives for iPhone: what to look for
Looking for something other than Blinkist? Start with why: price, format, depth or privacy. Then match the app to the reason, from shorter lessons to deeper analysis.
IQumi is made by Lucernel.
On this page
Short answer
Blinkist is a strong all-rounder: more than 9,000 summaries of books and podcasts, in text and audio, about 15 minutes each. Look elsewhere for a specific reason: IQumi for lessons short enough for any spare minute, Shortform for deeper analysis, getAbstract for more titles and languages, Imprint for visual explanations.
Choose this if
Stay with Blinkist if you want the biggest mix of text and audio summaries and use it on your commute.
Choose IQumi if
15 minutes is too long for your day and you would rather learn a book in short lessons.
At a glance
| Feature | Blinkist | IQumi |
|---|---|---|
| Audio summaries | Yes | No |
| Lessons under a minute each | Noabout 15 minutes per title | Yeseight short lessons per book |
| Full-screen lesson format | No | Yesor short text |
| Catalog | Yes9,000+ books and podcasts | Partly100 non-fiction books |
| Offline reading | Yes | Yesthe lessons are in the app |
Why people look for an alternative
The usual reasons are practical: the subscription price, summaries that take longer than the time a person really has, the wish for more depth, or privacy. Blinkist’s App Store privacy label lists purchases and contact info as data that may be used to track you.
Match the app to the reason
- Too long for your day: IQumi splits each book into eight short lessons you can finish in a spare minute; Imprint has chapters of two minutes or less.
- Not deep enough: Shortform adds analysis that compares each book with others, plus exercises.
- Not enough titles or languages: getAbstract lists more than 25,000 summaries, in seven languages.
- You learn by seeing: Imprint explains ideas with visuals.
What IQumi does differently
IQumi is built for the gaps in a day. Each of its 100 non-fiction books becomes eight original lessons with an idea, an example and a takeaway, as a full-screen lesson or short text, and the library remembers where you stopped. It has no audio and a far smaller catalog than Blinkist; it is for people who finish short things.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Blinkist?
It depends on why you are switching: IQumi for shorter lessons, Shortform for depth, getAbstract for more titles and languages, Imprint for visuals.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Blinkist?
Prices change and several apps discount yearly plans; compare the current in-app prices on each App Store page before you subscribe.
Which Blinkist alternative has audio?
Headway, Shortform and getAbstract all list audio summaries on their App Store pages. IQumi has no audio.
Is IQumi available?
See the official app page for current availability and pricing.
Our pick
IQumi, non-fiction books as short lessons
If Blinkist’s summaries are longer than the minutes you have, IQumi turns each book into eight short lessons you can finish anywhere, and keeps your place for the next one.
- 100 non-fiction books, eight lessons each
- Full-screen lessons or short text
- No permissions needed, library on your iPhone
