Probably the best app of the sort. Much more in-depth summaries than some of the competitors. The summaries do start with an ultra-condensed "1-page" summary which is great. The biggest problem is tha... See more
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Company details
- #31 of 44 best companies in Media Company
Written by the company
Shortform has the world's best guides to bestsellers and non-fiction books. Learn faster and better.
Contact info
2027 W. Division St #202, 60622, Chicago, United States
- help@shortform.com
- shortform.com
Asks customers to review
This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative
Replied to 38% of negative reviews
Typically replies within 1 month
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Stay away from this service
Stay away from this service, I do not recommend. I canceled my subscription before my card was charged for another year (there was not any reminder that my earlier deal continues as full price order for another whole year) but they still managed to renew the card.
I emailed them right away I noticed my card had charged that I dont need the service and could they cancel it now when I inform them the same day the renew was done but they only stated they would return 50 percent. Unbeliavable that these days any service can be this way. Stay far from this service, they charge you even you dont want (read also other reviews)!!!

Reply from Shortform
The service is excellent, Interface is OK
The service is excellent. Shortform does a great job of summarizing complex concepts into listenable books. While the service is available from apps and web browsers, the interface seems to favor looks over functionality. This is especially noticeable on the iOS Phone app. The buttons are very small, in fact all the text is and hard to see in the car. THey are light colored and contrast poorly against the white background. Perhaps the developers would consider an in car interface, simplified design with the current playing book, and large buttons to the current and favorite lists.

Reply from Shortform
What a mess
What a mess. Passwords don't sync across platforms: resetting PW 3 times in 2 days is insane. And as far as I can figure out, for the book I wanted, Neil Howe's 580 page "The Fourth Turning is Here," Shortform offers exactly one long page of 7,400 words--in which they seem to try to make Howe's already A++ vocab even more complex. If there's a book search function, it sure isn't evident on the web app. I read 5-10 books a month; this experience was completely unimpressing. Cancelled.

Reply from Shortform
Horrendous experience = Low value…
Horrendous experience = Low value service and misleading fees! Why? Well, before the trial period ended, the company assures that they remind users that the trial period had ended and the subscription fee had been charged, which they didn't receive! Instead, the company charged an annual subscription fee, which is visual and subliminal, which is more suggested when creating an account. After the charge, I requested cancellation of my subscription and a refund, as such a procedure misleads the customer. I received a negative response and was refunded 50% of the yearly fee for having had an active account for solely 5 days. It seems like the company earns mainly on the gullibility of potential users.

Reply from Shortform
Just gave it a try
Just gave it a try, and i wasn't disappointed. Great summarizing and audio narration. Looking forward to more reading and listening. Thanks.

Reply from Shortform
The monthly price is a little high
The monthly price is a little high. But very good quality.

Reply from Shortform
Brilliant!
Honestly love shortform they have the best articles and the best summarys truly phenomenal!

Reply from Shortform
Was scammed by Blinkist couldn't access…
Was scammed by Blinkist couldn't access service or cancel got bank involved canclled my credit card. They took money out 12 months later from my new card. Finally got subscription cancelled. Blinkist promised a refund then said no because my bank was involved. A scam. Avoid trust pilot 1.6 rating Shortform is excellent.

Reply from Shortform
Great, as far as it goes.
I like the book summaries - longer and more detailed than alternative platforms. And that is why I chose Shortform. However, given the level of professionalism associated with the summaries and the relatively high comparative cost, I would have enjoyed a better experience with the platform interface. Simple in the extreme and perhaps lacking some of the functionality that would be useful. I would also suggest that the choice is comparatively limited.

Reply from Shortform
Easy to navigate the site and amount of…
Easy to navigate the site and amount of content on the subject

Reply from Shortform
The shortened content is amazing
The shortened content is amazing! Better in some ways than original. App still needs some work especially audio part.

Reply from Shortform
Make a book a quick read
Make a book a quick read. I am able to get fresh ideas and decide if I want to spend the time reading the whole book.

Reply from Shortform
Nice i really like it ,i don't have to…
Nice i really like it ,i don't have to read the whole book for some basic ideas or concepts , don't have to waste a lot of time really nice

Reply from Shortform
Good service
The service itself is terrific, comprehensive breakdowns of great titles. I believe I cancelled my free trial before the deadline and received a confirmation email, yet I think I was still charged afterward. I emailed Shortform and they have now kindly refunded me. This did take some time to happen but I’m pleased it’s been resolved.

Reply from Shortform
Did not subscribe to their service yet they charged me and refusing to refund
Did not subscribe to their service, yet they charged my credit card in the middle of the night.
I contacted them, and they offered a “half refund,” claiming “they never do this, but I’m in luck.” What? This is not a service I use, yet they charged me anyway. Now they’re stalling and refusing a full refund.
If the full amount is not refunded within 24 hours, I will file a chargeback dispute.
It appears they are doing this to many others you can find countless complaints online about unauthorized charges from this company.
Steer clear of this company.

Reply from Shortform
Better than other book summary sites
I enjoy ShortForm more than other summary sites I’ve tried because of the way ShortForm compares points with other books that may disagree, and also insert their own ShortForm comments, to clarify things.

Reply from Shortform
Shortform provides both focused summaries along with essential background and alternative views.
Shortform book summaries offer the best combination of insights into both the central points made by the author along with other viewpoints that are not necessarily contained within the book. This allows subscribers to understand more of the background behind ideas expressed by the author at the same time that it provides alternative views for further study.

Reply from Shortform
The concept is great
The concept is great, but thr app on iphone is buggy: slow when i tap buttons, and when i hit a notification for a new book I dont get shown the new book, just the one Im currently reading.

Reply from Shortform
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