There’s a fine line between inspiration and frustration when it comes to writing, and ShortlyAI aims to erase that gap. Designed as a minimalist AI writing assistant, it helps writers get past creative blocks by continuing your thoughts with the click of a button. Whether you’re working on a blog post, an email, or the next chapter of your novel, it promises to write “10x faster” — with fewer distractions and no credit-based restrictions.
If you’ve been wondering what is ShortlyAI exactly — it’s an AI-powered writing tool that builds on GPT-3 to act as your personal co-writer. It allows users to expand, shorten, or rewrite their content in real time using custom /commands. In this ShortlyAI review, we’ll break down how it performs, what features stand out (or fall short), how it compares to tools like Jasper AI, and whether it’s worth the premium price tag.
We’ll also look at ShortlyAI’s free trial situation (spoiler: there isn’t one), its workflow, writing capabilities, and how it stacks up against popular alternatives.
ShortlyAI Key Features & Capabilities
ShortlyAI focuses on doing one thing really well — helping you get words on the page without distractions. The tool centers around a blank editor where you type freely and call on the AI to continue or refine your writing using slash commands.
Highlights:
- Distraction-Free Editor: A clean, minimal UI with no templates or toolbars to clutter your space.
- Custom /Commands: Use /expand, /shorten, or /rewrite to quickly adjust tone or structure.
- Unlimited Writing: Unlike credit-based systems, ShortlyAI doesn’t cap your monthly word count.
- GPT-3 Powered: Built on OpenAI’s language model for natural and high-quality output.
- Original Content: Output passes common plagiarism checkers (based on our testing).
The simplicity is refreshing — it feels like a natural extension of your writing process rather than a tool you have to “figure out.” That said, the lack of templates or SEO features might be limiting for marketers or teams.
Ease of Use & User Experience
✅ Sign-In & Setup
Signing up on shortlyai.com is frictionless — just an email and password, and you’re dropped directly into the editor. There’s no onboarding flow or tutorial, so it’s sink or swim.
✅ UI & Workflow
If you love a clean slate, you’ll love this. The blank page invites writing without the clutter of toolbars, popups, or templates. You simply type, then click a button or use slash commands to activate the AI.
✅ Customization Options
This is where ShortlyAI is a bit limited. There’s no brand voice training or tone customization. You can influence output through your writing style and prompt structure, but there are no built-in toggles for voice, formality, or content goals. While I appreciated the minimalist design, I often found myself wishing for just a bit more control. Compared to something like Jasper, which offers multiple writing tones and templates, ShortlyAI feels stripped down — for better or worse.
Comparison to Competitors
ShortlyAI vs Jasper AI
ShortlyAI and Jasper AI (formerly Jarvis, and now part of the same parent company since the acquisition) both run on OpenAI’s GPT-3, but they cater to different needs. Jasper is template-heavy and ideal for marketers, while ShortlyAI sticks to a distraction-free, blank-page interface meant for writers.
Feature |
ShortlyAI |
Jasper AI |
|---|---|---|
Templates |
❌ None |
✅ 50+ templates |
Tone Customization |
❌ Limited |
✅ Extensive |
SEO Integration |
❌ No |
✅ Yes (via SurferSEO) |
Pricing |
💰 Higher |
💰 More flexible tiers |
Writing Style |
✍️ Long-form focus |
✍️ Both short- and long-form |
ShortlyAI is great for pure writers who just want to write. If you’re focused on content marketing or SEO, Jasper is the better fit.
Similar to ShortlyAI – Alternatives Worth Checking Out
- Writesonic – More templates and tone control, good for marketers.
- Sudowrite – A strong alternative for creative writers and novelists.
- Rytr – Budget-friendly, with templates for short-form content.
- Copy.ai – Good for social media and ad copywriting tasks.
ShortlyAI Pricing & Subscription Plans
Is ShortlyAI Free?
No — ShortlyAI does not offer a free trial or free plan. This is a drawback for users comparing tools like Writesonic or Rytr that let you test-drive features.
Plans & Pricing
- Monthly Plan: $79/month
- Annual Plan: $65/month (billed annually at $780 — includes 2 months free)
You get unlimited usage under both plans (within fair daily limits), and there’s no token-based system or cap on how much you can write.

Refund Policy
No official refund policy is listed, and there’s no mention of a money-back guarantee.
ShortlyAI Coupon or Discount?
At the time of writing, there’s no active ShortlyAI coupon, but the annual plan offers about 17% savings.
ShortlyAI Review Final Verdict & Recommendations
ShortlyAI is a focused tool that strips away distractions and puts writing front and center. If your goal is to write long-form content with minimal interference, it delivers. It’s not for SEO marketers, teams, or those looking for guided help — but for solo writers, it’s surprisingly effective.
Who is ShortlyAI Best For?
✅ Creative Writers & Novelists
✅ Bloggers who prefer long-form writing
✅ Users who value clean, clutter-free interfaces
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
❌ Marketers needing SEO tools
❌ Teams needing collaboration or workflows
❌ Users looking for free plans or advanced customization
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to use ShortlyAI effectively?
Start by typing your draft and use /expand, /shorten, or /rewrite to refine your content. The tool is best used in long-form mode for essays, blogs, or novels.
Is ShortlyAI free to use?
No, there is no ShortlyAI free trial. Access requires a monthly ($79) or annual ($65/mo billed annually) subscription.
What’s the best alternative to ShortlyAI?
Jasper AI is the top alternative for marketers, while Sudowrite is great for fiction writers. Rytr is also a cheaper alternative to ShortlyAI.
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