ShortlyAI Review: Is This AI Writer Worth It?

I don’t know about you, but I still can’t believe there are so many AI writing tools nowadays, even though this technology is relatively new. Only a few years ago, having an assistant who could generate ideas and logical structures for my future articles around the clock seemed impossible. Today, I can use any of thousands of tools to do that and much more in just a couple of minutes. 

That is why, as someone who’s spent countless hours testing different AI writing tools, I understand the frustration of scrolling through endless options to find the perfect platform. When ShortlyAI first caught my attention with its promise of distraction-free, long-form content generation, I decided that I needed to test its abilities. 

Therefore, you are welcome to read this ShortlyAI review from the perspective of someone who has spent a significant amount of time with the tool, using it for various projects, from blog posts to academic essays. My goal is to give you an honest and useful breakdown of ShortlyAI’s advantages and disadvantages. Then, you can decide whether it is the tool you want to rely on or whether you want to consider its alternatives.

What is ShortlyAI?

ShortlyAI is a long-form AI writing assistant that gained popularity for its simplicity and focus on one thing: helping you write. 

Unlike other AI writing tools that bombard you with templates and complex features, ShortlyAI writing approach strips everything down to the essentials: you, a blank page, and an AI that continues your thoughts.

Frankly speaking, I agree with this approach and don’t think that content creators really need those numerous templates and formatting options that other tools have. 

The algorithm of work seems relatively simple: you provide the initial idea or a few starting sentences, and the AI continues writing in a coherent, human-like manner. And if the content you get doesn’t sound like something a human would write, you can always use an AI fixer to spot and rewrite the awkward bits. 

Key Features of ShortlyAI: What Makes It Different 

As the tool focuses on long-form content creation, its main features have a strong correlation with this core task.

Focus Mode 

Once you provide a title and specify additional details, the AI gets to work. You can write a few words or a few paragraphs, and the AI will continue your train of thought with relevant sentences. 

Unlike many other AI tools that are better at generating short-form snippets (like ad copy or product descriptions), the ShortlyAI writer has all the necessary functions to help you create a continuous narrative. It helps maintain a consistent tone and style. It means that the process will feel less like you’re assembling pre-made blocks and more like you’re collaborating with an intelligent partner.

In my experience, Focus Mode works best when you already have a clear direction for your content. You start writing, and when you need the AI to continue, it generates the next 2-4 sentences based on what you already have.

Commands 

Continuing your thoughts is not the only thing this tool can do, of course. Here are some more functions you can use to improve your writing process:

1. Rewrite. If you’re unsatisfied with a particular section, the rewrite command generates alternative versions of your selected text. I found this helpful for overcoming writer’s block, though the alternatives weren’t always better than the original.
2. Expand. When you want to dig deeper into a particular point, you can highlight text and ask the AI to expand on it. This feature worked reasonably well for adding supporting details or examples to existing content.
3. Shorten. Without any surprises, this command condenses lengthy passages into more concise versions. The only annoying thing I noticed is that it sometimes removes important nuances or context in its pursuit of brevity.

Distraction-Free Interface

One of the most helpful things for me is that there are no overwhelming sidebars, complex menus, or template libraries to navigate. The writing area takes center stage, with minimal UI elements that stay out of your way. 

For a writer like me who struggles with focus, this is a breath of fresh air. It’s easy to stay within your flow of ideas while working and then move on to use additional resources to review an essay or any other literary piece. 

However, this minimalism comes at a cost because there’s minimal customization available, and you can’t adjust the AI’s behavior according to your requirements.

Language Capabilities and Integration

You can create content in different languages using ShortlyAI, though English is clearly where it performs best. According to some ShortlyAI reviews and my own experience, the quality and fluency of Spanish and French content weren’t as impressive as its English output. 

In terms of integration, there’s no direct connection to popular platforms like WordPress, social media schedulers, or content management systems. You’re essentially working in a standalone editor and then copying and pasting your final content elsewhere. While this isn’t a good enough reason to stop using it once and for all, it does add an extra step to the workflow.

Pricing Plans: Is It a Luxury to Use This Tool

As to ShortlyAI pricing, the tool offers a subscription model with two main options:

• Monthly plan: $79/month
• Annual plan: $65/month

While the annual plan is more attractive than the monthly one, it’s still a considerable investment for a tool that serves a very specific purpose. On top of that, you can’t be completely sure of whether it meets your requirements, as you can’t use it without buying one of the subscription options.

When compared to competitors, these prices feel steep given the limited functionality:

• Jasper: From $49/month with far more features
• Copy.ai: Starting at $49/month with templates and team collaboration
• Textero: From $20/month with an academic focus and comprehensive features

Pros and Cons: I’ll Try to Be Objective

My experience with ShortlyAI has been a mix of pleasant surprises and frustrating limitations. Therefore, let’s look closer at ShortlyAI pros and cons.

Pros

Strong Long-form Content Generation

When it comes to continuing existing text, I’ve got nothing bad to say about the tool. The AI’s ability to understand context and maintain a narrative is impressive, so there’s no need to look for other resources if this is what you need most when working on your projects.

Easy to Use

You can start using ShortlyAI effectively within minutes of signing up, which isn’t true for many AI writing tools.

Unlimited Words

When you choose one of the paid plans, you can enjoy unlimited word generation. This is a significant advantage over competitors that charge based on credits or word count, especially if you write a lot.

Good Writing Flow

Not many tools help you maintain creative momentum, or at least don’t distract you while you dive deep into your imagination. The one thing I can be certain of is that ShortlyAI doesn’t interrupt your flow.

Decent Content Quality

The generated content is generally well-written and requires less editing than some other AI tools I’ve tested, at least for basic tasks.

Cons

Pricey for What You Get

You’re paying premium prices for a tool that does far less than similarly priced competitors. Its unlimited plan is comparable to the cost of more robust competitors like Jasper, which offer a wealth of templates, integrations, and advanced features. Nonetheless, the final verdict depends on your needs and the analysis of whether you can justify these premium prices for simplicity.

Limited Versatility

Because of the lack of templates and features, ShortlyAI is a one-trick pony. It’s excellent for writing articles or essays, but it falls short if you’re a small business owner or a student who needs assistance with different types of assignments.

No Source or Research Tools

The fact that ShortlyAI has no built-in features for research or citation might be a crucial limitation for students and academic writers. You need to carefully check the information it generates, as it can sometimes invent plausible-sounding but incorrect statements. 

Subscription-Only Model

There’s no free tier or pay-per-use option. You have no choice but to buy a monthly subscription, whether you use the tool daily or occasionally.

Limited Customization

You can’t adjust the AI’s creativity level, tone, or other parameters that might help customize the generated content to your specific expectations.

Who Should Use ShortlyAI?

With all the above-mentioned facts, I would say that the tool works best for a specific type of user:

• Writers and bloggers who need to create long-form content and prefer a distraction-free resource. If you’re writing articles or stories and mainly need help with the flow, ShortlyAI could work for you.
• Students might benefit from it as well, especially when it comes to drafting essays and research papers. However, you should be prepared to do your own fact-checking and referencing.
• Content Marketers who focus on blog content and don’t need specific formats that other tools provide might appreciate ShortlyAI’s simplicity as well.

However, I’d argue that most users could benefit more from other, less expensive and more versatile tools available nowadays.

My Experience with ShortlyAI

At this point, you understand how crucial it is to learn as much as you can about the tool before you buy the subscription. That is why I will share a specific example with you where I tested it with a blog post about sustainable gardening practices. I started with this opening:

Sustainable gardening isn't just an environmental buzzword. It's a practical approach that can transform both your garden and your relationship with nature.

I then used ShortlyAI to continue the content:

By implementing eco-friendly practices in your garden, you create a thriving ecosystem that supports local wildlife while reducing your environmental footprint. These methods often require less maintenance and fewer resources than traditional gardening approaches, making them both environmentally and economically beneficial.

As you can see, this paragraph is relevant and easy to read. Nonetheless, it’s also somewhat generic and lacks actionable information that can make the content valuable to readers. 

All in all, ShortlyAI provided a good foundation, but I had to add depth and expertise to turn it into high-quality content.

ShortlyAI Alternatives

I’ve already mentioned that you can easily find a better ShortlyAI alternative in terms of its pricing point. But what about other essential features that you might look for in an AI writing assistant? Here’s my quick analysis of the tool’s strongest competitors.

Jasper 

Without a doubt, it’s the market leader with numerous templates and powerful integrations. Another advantage is the tool’s entry-level plans, which offer significantly more functionality than ShortlyAI.

Copy.ai 

This tool is great for marketing copy and has a more complex interface than ShortlyAI, but it offers greater versatility.

Textero

I discovered Textero while searching for a tool that could handle both long-form writing and a wider range of content types. I also liked it because of the more affordable pricing than the big names. Here are some of its key features that I liked the most in comparison to ShortlyAI:

• Purpose-built for academic and long-form writing. It includes features that ShortlyAI lacks, such as a built-in literature review generator that finds and cites scholarly sources. This is a game-changer for students and researchers who need to ensure the accuracy and credibility of their work.
• Affordable and flexible pricing. Unlike ShortlyAI’s expensive model, Textero offers a more accessible pricing structure with a generous free plan for basic needs and a highly affordable premium plan that unlocks all features. 
• User-friendly but feature-rich. Textero’s interface is clean and intuitive, and has powerful tools that allow you to quickly transition from writing to researching to editing without leaving the platform.

Final Verdict: Is ShortlyAI Worth It?

I believe it’s not worth it, and I can’t recommend it to most users who create content regularly. It might be the best weapon you can use when you need to conquer long-form writing and prefer working in a distraction-free mode, but the combination of high pricing and limited features doesn’t allow it to rank high on my personal rating system.

FAQ

1. Is ShortlyAI free? 

No, ShortlyAI doesn’t offer a free plan. You can benefit from a limited free trial, but after that, you need a paid subscription starting at $65/month. 

2. Does ShortlyAI check plagiarism? 

No, it doesn’t have a built-in plagiarism checker. Even though the content it generates is generally original, you still need to run your text through a separate plagiarism checker to ensure originality.

3. Is ShortlyAI better than Jasper? 

Generally no. While ShortlyAI offers a cleaner interface, Jasper provides significantly more features, including templates, team collaboration, integrations, and better value at similar price points.

4. Can I use ShortlyAI for academic writing? 

ShortlyAI can help you with essay writing and long-form academic content, but it lacks specialized academic features like citation help or academic formatting. You will benefit more from using tools like Textero that offer better value for students.

5. Does it work in other languages?

Yes, ShortlyAI supports multiple languages, including Spanish, French, and others. However, the quality and fluency are significantly better in English.