Headway Subscription Prices Explained (2025): Find The Best Plan For You

Have you ever felt guilty about all those unread books stacking up in your life? Yeah, same here.

That’s exactly where the Headway app steps in, promising to turn book summaries into bite-sized brilliance in under 15 minutes a day.

But here's the catch: Is the Headway subscription really worth paying money for? With so many options, hidden pricing, and mixed reviews, it’s easy to get stuck wondering what you’re really signing up for.

In this guide, I’ll break down everything, from the Headway subscription price and free trial options, to how to cancel, where to get a discount, and how it stacks up against top competitor like Blinkist.

What Is Headway?

Headway is a reading app designed for people who want to learn faster, without spending hours flipping through full books.

It takes bestselling nonfiction titles from business to psychology and distills them into quick, punchy 15-minute summaries.

Think of it like having the book’s key insights delivered to you on a silver platter.

Whether you’re commuting, doing dishes, or sneaking in some personal development before bed, Headway makes it super easy to keep learning.

Here’s what you get with the Headway app:

• Hundreds of top nonfiction books summarized

• Audio and text versions

• Personalized daily recommendations

• Habit tracker and spaced repetition features to help the info stick

It’s made for busy professionals, students, lifelong learners, and basically anyone who wants to grow but doesn’t always have time for 300 pages.

And unlike free summary blogs, Headway’s subscription unlocks premium features, better content curation, and zero ads.

==> Try Headway For Free

Headway Subscription Plans & Price Explained

If you're exploring Headway as your go-to app for bite-sized learning, understanding its subscription structure is essential.

Headway subscription plan and prices is as follows:

• Monthly Plan $12.99/month: Ideal if you're not ready for a long-term commitment but want full access to all features.

• Quarterly Plan – $29.99 every 3 months: A cost-effective alternative to monthly billing, this plan breaks down to roughly $9.99 per month.

• Annual Plan – $89.99/year: This is the best value for consistent users, bringing the monthly cost down to around $7.50.

All premium plans unlock unlimited access to Headway’s entire library of over 1,600 nonfiction summaries in both audio and text.

You’ll also gain access to smart features like personalized learning paths, spaced repetition, goal tracking, flashcards, and more.

Headay Lifetime Plan (One-Time Payment)

The lifetime price of Headway Premium is typically around $59.99, which is a significant discount from its usual price of about $299.

This offer provides lifetime access to over 1,500 book summaries. Deals like this have been available for around $50 to $60 in recent promotions

==> Get Headway Subscription Discount

🎁 Headway Hidden Deals & Discounts

• If you start a free trial, you’ll often get a limited-time 50% discount offer emailed to you within a few days.

• Occasionally, there are promo codes and seasonal sales on the official website

• Students sometimes get extra discounts, though it’s not officially advertised

🤯 The “Gotcha” Plan

The weekly plan catches a lot of people off guard — they try the app, forget to cancel, and get charged nearly $60/month before realizing it.

Always check the plan you’re enrolling in before confirming your subscription.

Pro tip: If you’re serious about using it, go with the yearly or lifetime plan — it’s way more value for money.

Does Headway Offer a 7-day Free Trial?

Yes, Headway offers a 7-day free trial. When you download or sign up for the first time, you’ll usually get a 7-day free trial of the premium plan, as shown in the image above.

But you’ll need to enter your payment info to activate it. And if you forget to cancel? Boom, you’re charged full price when the trial ends.

⚠️ The Fine Print

• The trial defaults to the weekly plan, which costs around $14.99/week

• You must cancel at least 24 hours before the trial ends to avoid being charged

• If you cancel during the trial, you still get to use all premium features until the 7 days are up

🆓 What’s Free Without a Trial?

If you don’t start a trial, you can still explore the app, but:

• You’ll get very limited access to book summaries

• Audio may be restricted

• Ads and upsells are frequent

• Most features (like learning streaks, personalization, and insights) are locked

In short: There’s no truly free version of Headway, just a brief taste. But that free trial can be helpful — just don’t sleep on the cancel button.

==> Start Your Headway Free Trial Today

How to Subscribe to Headway

Here is an easy way to subscribe to Headway:

📲 On iOS or Android:

1. Download the Headway app from the App Store or Google Play for PC visit the Headway Official website.

2. Open the app and sign up with your email or Apple/Google ID.

3. You’ll be offered a 7-day free trial (usually linked to the weekly plan).

4. Look for a small link that says “See all plans” or “Choose another option” — this is where you can switch to annual or lifetime before confirming.

5. Select your preferred plan, enter payment info, and you’re in.

Headway vs. Blinkist: Which One’s Better?

If you're deciding between Headway and Blinkist, here's the real talk: they both summarize nonfiction books, but they serve slightly different vibes and goals.

🧠 Content Quality & Style:

• Blinkist focuses on clarity and depth. It feels like a quick, clean summary written by someone who really read the book.

• Headway leans more motivational. The content is punchier, more quote-heavy, and geared toward self-growth with reminders and insights baked in.

🎨 Design & User Experience:

• Headway is more visual and gamified. Think daily streaks, spaced repetition, achievement badges.

• Blinkist is simpler and cleaner — ideal if you just want to get in, read, and bounce.

🔈 Audio Experience:

• Both apps offer audio summaries, but Blinkist’s narration is more consistent and professional.

• Headway sometimes uses robotic or overly dramatic voices, depending on the book.

💰 Pricing:

• Blinkist costs around $99/year (no weekly trap).

• Headway’s weekly plan is steep, but the annual plan and lifetime deals can compete when discounted.

🧩 Unique Features:

• Headway has learning reminders, widgets, habit trackers, and a stronger “self-help” focus.

• Blinkist offers “Shortcasts” (podcast-style insights) and curated collections for productivity, relationships, and more.

So, which one’s right for you?

• Go with Headway if you love visuals, goal-setting, and self-improvement boosts.

• Pick Blinkist if you want depth, smoother audio, and a no-nonsense experience.

Using the Headway App: What to Expect

Once you’re in, Headway isn’t just a summary reader, it’s more like a self-improvement coach with a bookshelf.

Here’s how it works day to day:

🏠 The Home Screen

• You’ll see daily book picks, motivational quotes, and progress trackers.

• The app encourages you to build a streak and track your learning habits, which can be super motivating if you’re goal-driven.

📚 Reading Summaries

• Each book is broken down into short, easily scrollable chapters — most summaries take 10–15 minutes to read.

• You can either read or listen to audio versions, which is great for multitaskers.

🎯 Personalized Learning Goals

• You can set goals like “Read one summary a day” or focus on specific categories like productivity, health, or communication.

• Headway then builds a custom feed for you.

🧠 Spaced Repetition & Key Ideas

• The app highlights core takeaways and lets you revisit them through spaced repetition.

• There’s also a “Insights” tab where your saved ideas and quotes live — kind of like your own little wisdom vault.

📈 Gamification

• Daily streaks, achievements, and reminders keep you engaged.

• Headway treats reading like a habit, not just a task.

How to Cancel Headway Subscription

Here’s the thing, canceling Headway is easy, but only if you know where to look. Because the app is tied to your App Store or Google Play account, you can’t cancel directly through the Headway app.

🛑 How to Cancel on iPhone (iOS):

1. Open Settings on your phone

2. Tap your name > Subscriptions

3. Find Headway

4. Tap Cancel Subscription

🤖 How to Cancel on Android:

1. Open the Google Play Store

2. Tap your profile > Payments & subscriptions

3. Tap Subscriptions

4. Select Headway, then hit Cancel

💻 Bought Through Website?

If you subscribed on their website (not through the app stores), you’ll need to:

1. Visit headway.app

2. Log in to your account

3. Go to Billing or Account Settings

4. Find the cancel option or contact support directly

📅 Important Notes:

• Cancel at least 24 hours before your trial or plan renews

• Canceling doesn’t refund you — it just stops the next charge

• You can still use premium features until the end of your current billing cycle

Heads up: many users forget they subscribed through the app store, and go hunting inside the app, which doesn’t work. That’s how some end up with surprise charges.

Headway Subscription Reviews: Pros and Cons

Is Headway worth the money? That depends on what you’re expecting. Here’s a breakdown of what users love — and what drives them nuts.

👍 Pros

• Super quick and digestible — Most users say they actually finish what they start

• Beautiful, clean design — The app is visually engaging and easy to use

• Motivational push — With daily goals, quotes, and reminders, it’s like having a tiny life coach in your pocket

• Audio + text options — You can listen while walking or read while sipping coffee

• Solid range of books — Especially strong on productivity, psychology, and self-growth titles

👎 Cons

• Price transparency issues — Many complain about being auto-enrolled in the pricey weekly plan

• No deep dives — If you want nuance, this may feel oversimplified

• Audio quality varies — Some narrations sound robotic or too “hyped”

• No true free version — You either start a trial or get stuck with minimal content

• Limited genres — Mostly focused on business, mindset, and wellness — not ideal for broader nonfiction tastes

Final Verdict: Is Headway Worth It?

If you’re short on time but big on learning, Headway can be a game-changer.

It doesn’t just summarize books, it builds a habit around growth. With daily goals, motivational reminders, and quick reads, it helps you feel like you’re leveling up even on your busiest days.

But, and it’s a big but, the pricing structure can trip people up. That weekly plan? Way too easy to get locked into. So if you’re going to try it:

• Start with the free trial, but don’t forget to cancel if you’re unsure

• If you like it, grab the Headway annual or lifetime plan — they’re far better value

• Skip it entirely if you want depth over daily boosts — it’s a spark, not a deep dive

Bottom line: Headway works best as a motivational nudge — not your only source of learning. Use it to spark ideas, build momentum, and stay curious — and you’ll get your money’s worth.

FAQs

What is the current price of the Headway subscription?

The Headway subscription costs $89.99 per year and $7.50 per month for unlimited access to book summaries, audio lessons, personalized insights, and more.

Does Headway offer a free plan?

No, Headway does not have a permanent free plan. However, the app offers a 7-day free trial to explore its premium features before committing to a subscription.

👉Grab The Free Trial Offer.

Can I cancel my Headway subscription anytime?

Yes, you can cancel your Headway subscription at any time through your app store (Google Play or Apple App Store) or the website, depending on where you subscribed. Canceling stops auto-renewal, but you’ll still retain access until your billing cycle ends.

Does Headway have a monthly subscription?

No, Headway no longer promotes a monthly plan directly on its website. The platform primarily offers an annual plan, which is billed upfront. Occasionally, a monthly option may appear via in-app promotions or trials, but it's not standard.

How does Headway's pricing compare to Blinkist?

Headway’s annual subscription is slightly higher than Blinkist’s, but it often includes more gamified features like progress tracking, habit building, and interactive widgets. Blinkist, on the other hand, has a wider catalog but a more traditional approach to summaries.

Are there any student discounts available for Headway?

Currently, Headway does not offer any official student discounts on its website. However, some third-party educational platforms or app stores might occasionally offer student bundles or coupon codes.

What payment methods does Headway accept?

Headway accepts payments via credit/debit cards, PayPal (in some regions), and mobile app store billing (Google Play and Apple Pay). Your payment method depends on where you originally subscribed to the service.

Is the Headway subscription worth the money?

Headway is worth the investment if you prefer bite-sized learning, want to build better reading habits, or need summaries with a motivational focus. It’s especially useful for busy professionals or casual learners who want structured personal development.

How do I get a refund for Headway?

Refunds depend on where you purchased the subscription. If you subscribed via the App Store or Google Play, you’ll need to request a refund through those platforms. If you subscribed directly through Headway’s website, contact their support team within their refund window—usually 14 days from purchase.

Can I share my Headway subscription with someone else?

No, Headway subscriptions are tied to individual user accounts and cannot be shared. The app does not currently offer a family or multi-user plan, unlike some streaming or reading services. All progress, recommendations, and achievements are personalized.