Headway App Review—A Nomadic Artist’s Experience
There are way too many books I want to read. Naturally, I never get around to actually reading most of them. Usually because I get distracted or struggle to actually finish the books I do buy (attention issues and all).
I like reading. And I really do want to read more books. But alas, my book list just gets longer and me no closer to actually reading them.
I started using Headway in early 2025 to chip away at that no-really-I’ll-read-these-one-day list.
But I’m not just using the app to check off book titles and move on with my life. Sometimes the slow read (i.e. actually buying the book) is needed.
Headway gives me the big ideas quick (which is great for my life and creative projects) but also helps me choose which books I actually want to invest time in to read fully.
And honestly, the app is pretty freaking cool. I feel productive…like I’m finally reading the titles I promised myself I would. It’s great.
Anyways, this is my Headway app review.
Table of Contents
What Is Headway App?
Headway is a microlearning app that gives you short book summaries, challenges and more.
It’s a rad way to preview books (before fully committing) or to quickly get the core takeaways from a popular title.
Each book comes with 5-15 minute text summaries, which you can either read or listen to.
You can also download summaries for offline review, study using spaced repetition flashcards, track your progress with challenges or use their curated collections to dive deeper into specific topics.
So with all this dang value, how much is this thing?
How much is the Headway app?
Headway has a free plan. You can get one book summary per day for free. So that’s pretty cool.
But when you’re ready to upgrade, the plans are still pretty affordable, starting at $12.99/month (or $29.99 for 3 months; and $89.99 for the year).
Who Headway App Is For
The Headway app is perfect for book lovers, busy people or anyone who wants to read but struggles to get started or finish the books they do start (cough cough, me).
This app is also great for people with long (ever-expanding) reading lists and anyone who just doesn’t like reading (or prefers listening…but not listening to something for hours lol).
So the next time that one friend recommends yet another book for you to read, you can quickly hop into your account and listen to the cliff notes. Then when they ask you about it, you can dish.
Headway is for book-lovers, slow travelers, entrepreneurs (looking to get the big ideas quicker) and personal brands (who wanna learn core strategies and mindsets faster).
How Headway Works
Headway’s interface is pretty dang intuitive and easy to use.
There’s like three buttons you need to learn.
After logging in, you’ll see tabs at the top for Discover (great if you’re not sure what book you want) and a link to your Library (where you can reference books you’re currently on, have saved or finished summaries).
There’s also an Infographics tab, which are visual micro-learning graphics from popular books. It’s basically like an Instagram carousel post.
The search bar (where you can look up specific book summaries) is also towards the top under the menu.
Here are some snapshots for what to expect:
Headway App Review—Worth It?
I’ve been using Headway for about a year now. And I gotta say, I’m really into it.
It doesn’t replace the tactile experience of reading a real book or the juicy nuances you get from reading each page. But it does help me collect insights and learn the big ideas wayyyy quicker.
I watch a lot of podcasts and YouTube videos around creativity and solopreneurship. And the creators are always recommending new books…new books that I really want to read. Those titles used to go to my reading list…where I’d eventually forget about them.
But lately, I’ve been popping into my Headway app to quickly listen to the summary. And if the book is really super good, then I’ll invest in an actual copy. But even the summary alone gives me plenty to think about.
Headway sorta makes me feel like John Travolta in Phenomenon.
So if you’re looking for the full depth and nuance of a real book, Headway comes up short. No surprise there…you’re basically getting the spark notes.
But if you’re looking to get the big ideas and main takeaways quickly and efficiently, then Headway is perfect.
So, is the Headway app worth it?
If you struggle to get through your reading list, finish the books you do start or just want to read more titles (but struggle to find the time), then yes, Headway is worth it. It’s also a nice segue for developing a stronger reading habit.
Listening to book summaries and staying on top of new (or old) titles puts you in a reading, book-loving mindset. The more you interact with authors and books, the more likely you are to develop a strong reading habit.
If you’re looking to sharpen your thinking, discover new ideas and become a “book person”, then Headway is a great. Plus it’s super affordable.
Grab a free account here!
Otherwise, later ✌️
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