Software Alternatives & Startups

Blinkist VS Substack

Compare Blinkist VS Substack and see what are their differences

Blinkist

Key insights from 6,000+ bestselling books and podcasts

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Freemium Free trial €6.67 / Monthly
Substack

With Substack, anyone can start a publication that combines a personal website, blog, and email newsletter or podcast. It's quick and simple.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Substack seems to be a lot more popular than Blinkist. While we know about 111 links to Substack, we've tracked only 1 mention of Blinkist.

social mentions
1 vs 111
Education popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
175 vs 240+

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Blinkist
Substack
Website blinkist.com substack.com
Pricing
Freemium Free trial €6.67 / Monthly Official pricing
—
Platforms
Android iOS Web
—
Company Startup from Germany · 50 - 99 employees · 2012 Startup from the United States
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About Blinkist and Substack

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Blinkist
Substack

Blinkist connects people with powerful ideas from the world’s leading thinkers to help them grow their knowledge, broaden their perspectives, make better decisions, and thrive in all areas of life. Used by over 25 million people worldwide, Blinkist finds the most relevant, impactful books and...

Read more about Blinkist

No description of Substack yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Blinkist 6 features
Substack 6 features
  • Time Efficiency
    Blinkist offers summarized versions of books, allowing users to grasp key concepts in about 15 minutes, making it ideal for people with busy schedules.
  • Wide Range of Topics
    The platform covers a diverse array of subjects, from personal development and psychology to business and science, catering to a wide range of interests.
  • Convenience
    Available on both mobile and desktop, Blinkist provides flexibility in how and where you consume content.
  • Audio and Text Options
    Users can choose between reading the summaries or listening to them, providing convenience based on preference or situation.
  • High-Quality Summaries
    The summaries are generally well-written and capture the essence of the original book, maintaining a high standard of quality.
  • Free Trial
    Blinkist offers a free trial period, allowing users to explore the service before committing to a subscription.

Possible disadvantages

  • Loss of Depth
    Due to the condensed nature of the summaries, users might miss out on nuanced arguments and detailed examples present in the full books.
  • Subscription Cost
    While it offers valuable content, the subscription fee may be considered high by some users, especially when compared to other content services.
  • Limited Titles
    Although Blinkist has a large library, it doesn't cover every book, which could be a limitation for those seeking summaries of less popular or niche titles.
  • Potential Dependency
    Users might become reliant on summaries and miss out on the enriching experience and deeper understanding that comes from reading full books.
  • Over-Simplification
    Complex ideas might be overly simplified, potentially leading to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the author's original message.
  • Lack of Interaction
    Unlike traditional book clubs or courses, Blinkist does not offer a platform for discussion or interaction, which can be vital for deeper understanding.
  • Ease of Use
    Substack offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for writers to publish and monetize their newsletters.
  • Built-in Monetization
    Writers can easily charge readers for subscriptions, allowing for straightforward monetization.
  • Direct Audience Connection
    Substack allows writers to build a direct relationship with their audience via email, which can lead to a more engaged readership.
  • Discovery and Community
    Features like staff picks and recommendations help writers get discovered by new readers.
  • No Upfront Costs
    Substack does not charge upfront fees; instead, it takes a percentage of subscription revenues, making it easier to start.
  • Content Ownership
    Writers retain full ownership of their content, giving them more control over their work.

Possible disadvantages

  • Revenue Share
    Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenues, which can add up for writers with a large subscriber base.
  • Limited Customization
    The platform has limited customization options compared to building a custom website or using more flexible CMS options.
  • Dependency on Platform
    Relying on Substack means depending on its policies and infrastructure, which could pose risks if the platform changes its terms or features.
  • Competition
    As more writers join Substack, it can become challenging to stand out amidst the growing competition.
  • Email Deliverability
    Writers may face issues with email deliverability, as some newsletters may end up in spam folders.
  • Payment Processing Fees
    Besides Substack's fee, payment processors like Stripe also take a percentage, further reducing net earnings for writers.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Blinkist
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Blinkist is a valuable resource for those who want to broaden their knowledge base swiftly. It is particularly beneficial for people who enjoy consuming nonfiction but don't have the time to read full-length books. However, it may not satisfy users looking for in-depth understanding of complex topics, as the summaries are designed to highlight only the main ideas.

Why this product is good

  • Blinkist is a platform that provides key insights from nonfiction books through condensed summaries. Users appreciate it for its ability to deliver essential points quickly, making it ideal for individuals who want to learn efficiently or who have limited time. The service offers both audio and text formats, catering to different learning preferences. Its extensive library covers various subjects, including personal development, business, and health, making it a versatile learning tool.

Recommended for

  • Busy professionals seeking efficient learning tools
  • Learners who prefer short, digestible content
  • Individuals interested in a broad range of nonfiction subjects
  • Persons looking to quickly decide if a full book is worth their time
  • Auditory learners who benefit from listening to audiobook summaries

Overall verdict

  • Substack is a good choice for writers seeking autonomy and a straightforward way to monetize their content. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer working within the framework of a larger publication or those unfamiliar with the challenges of building and maintaining a subscriber base.

Why this product is good

  • Substack is a platform that allows writers, journalists, and content creators to publish and monetize their newsletters. It is praised for its ease of use, built-in subscription system, and direct-to-consumer model which enables writers to retain control over their audience and content. The platform has attracted both independent writers and established journalists seeking the freedom to monetize their work without traditional media constraints.

Recommended for

  • Independent writers and journalists
  • Content creators looking to monetize their work
  • Individuals seeking a direct relationship with their audience
  • Those who appreciate simplicity in publishing

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Blinkist 4 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

A Detailed Review of Blinkist: Is It Worth Your Money? (Updated 2019)

More videos

  • - Blinkist vs Audible vs Books
  • - Blinkist Review: Read books in 15-minutes 📚
  • - How does Blinkist work?

Monetizing Podcasts and Newsletters - Chris Best of Substack and Jonathan Gill of Backtracks

More videos

  • - E1016 Substack CEO Chris Best empowers writers via email newsletter platform, raised $15M from a16z
  • - Why EVERYONE should be on Substack | What it is, How it Works, $$$
  • - Beehiiv vs Substack (2024) - Which is Better?
  • - My Experience with SUBSTACK: An Honest Review of Substack

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Blinkist
Substack
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Blinkist and Substack. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Blinkist 5.0 · 1 review
Substack no reviews yet
  • Brain tickling
    SaaSHub review
    · Sep 2021

    As I listened to a BLINK as a 7 book at a time guy. I was sold, it was sort of like talking to an intresting friend, about what they have learnt from something. Loads of stimulating ideas. I just have to put my mony...

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Blinkist 1 mention
Substack 111 mentions
  • Using Blinkist vs Reading the book/audible?
    I've always read them, just starting to use growth.me and blinkist.com but I'm curious what others think of them. Source: over 5 years ago
  • UK Defence Startups Are Being Denied Banking Services Under ESG Rules
    Books have already been written on this, some as early as 1945 (That Hideous Strength, C.S. Lewis). Otherwise I can recommend basically everything by Curtis Yarvin and Kevin Dolan (https://substack.com/@exitgroup,... - Source: Hacker News / 11 days ago
  • Show HN: Sphinx – a hook that quizzes you on your AI agent's code before push
    We built something quite similar 6 months ago called PEAK (Proof of Effort And Knowledge). Blog post and YT video here: https://substack.com/@jeffksmithjr/p-195763168 Our version has its own TUI and was intended for semi-adversarial... - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago
  • Why Isn't the Industry Freaking Out About DeepSeek 4.1 Flash?
    Https://substack.com/@rubenafo/note/c-332218129?r=26y5kn&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web. - Source: Hacker News / 23 days ago

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Alternatives to Blinkist and Substack

When comparing Blinkist and Substack, you can also consider the following products.