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ShortlyAI

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ShortlyAI is a minimalist writing assistant built for authors facing writer's block. It uses slash commands to expand outlines directly within a blank canvas. While it handles creative fiction well, development has stalled since its acquisition by Jasper AI.
  • Pricing: Freemium
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What is ShortlyAI?

ShortlyAI functions as a blank text expander rather than a complex marketing suite. It strips away sidebars and templates. Users get a cursor and a few keyboard commands. The interface remains completely blank.

Jasper AI acquired the tool to capture the creative writing market. Authors and bloggers use it to push past writer’s block. The software reads your previous sentences and generates the next logical paragraph.

  • Primary Use Case: Generating the next paragraph of a novel or blog post based on existing context.
  • Ideal For: Fiction authors and minimalist bloggers.
  • Pricing: Starts at €12/mo (Freemium) – The free tier only offers a one-time credit quota.

Key Features and How ShortlyAI Works

Slash Command Editing

  • /rewrite Command: Rephrases selected text to improve clarity or change tone. It struggles with technical jargon.
  • /expand Command: Adds detail and length to a specific sentence. It adds filler words if the original sentence lacks clear direction.
  • /shorten Command: Condenses long sentences into concise versions. It limits output to a single sentence.

Context and Output Controls

  • Context Sidebar: Allows users to toggle how much previous text the AI considers. The hard limit is 1,200 characters.
  • Output Length Control: Three settings determine generation volume. The Large setting repeats earlier points (we noticed the AI loops its own logic here).
  • Keyword Guidance: Forces the AI to include specific terms. It only accepts a few keywords per generation.

Writing Modes

  • Story Mode: Specialized setting for creative writing and fiction development. It handles dialogue well but loses plot threads over 2,000 words.
  • Article Mode: Optimized for blog posts and essays. It lacks the factual accuracy required for journalistic writing.

ShortlyAI Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Minimalist interface provides a distraction-free environment for professional writers.
  • Slash commands allow for rapid editing without leaving the keyboard.
  • High contextual awareness prevents the AI from losing the thread of short stories.
  • Simple onboarding allows new users to start generating text in under 60 seconds.
  • Flexible Story mode handles creative dialogue better than marketing AI tools.

Cons

  • Development has stagnated since the acquisition by Jasper AI.
  • Occasional looping occurs where the AI repeats the same sentence structures.
  • Lacks built-in SEO tools or plagiarism detection found in modern competitors.
  • No mobile application exists for writing outside the web app.

Who Should Use ShortlyAI?

  • Fiction Writers: Authors can use Story Mode to brainstorm dialogue and plot points. The blank canvas mimics traditional writing software.
  • Minimalist Bloggers: Solo creators who hate cluttered interfaces will appreciate the simple design. You can write and edit using only your keyboard.
  • SEO Marketers (Not Recommended): Teams needing keyword optimization and SERP analysis should look elsewhere. ShortlyAI offers zero SEO integrations.

ShortlyAI Pricing and Plans

ShortlyAI uses a freemium model. The Free plan costs €0 per month for one user. It includes three social accounts and 500 MB of storage. However, it only provides a one-time credit quota (we found the free tier acts more like a trial).

The Pro plan costs €12 per month. It supports one user and seven social accounts. Users get 5 GB of storage and 10,000 credits per month.

The Business plan costs €29 per month. It covers three users and 15 social accounts. This tier includes 50 GB of storage and 30,000 credits per month.

The Growth plan costs €79 per month. It allows five users and 30 social accounts. Teams receive 1 TB of storage and 100,000 credits per month. Enterprise plans offer custom limits and dedicated support.

How ShortlyAI Compares to Alternatives

Similar to Jasper, ShortlyAI focuses on generating text based on user prompts. Jasper offers dozens of templates for specific marketing tasks. ShortlyAI forces you to do everything in a single blank document. Jasper costs more for heavy users.

Unlike Copy.ai, this tool caters specifically to long-form writers and novelists. Copy.ai excels at generating quick social media posts and ad copy. ShortlyAI requires more manual guidance but produces better narrative flow. Copy.ai includes a free tier that actually renews monthly.

The Minimalist Writer Verdict

ShortlyAI serves a very specific type of user. Novelists and essayists who want a quiet digital workspace will find it useful. The slash commands keep your hands on the keyboard.

The software rarely receives updates.

Marketing teams and SEO agencies will find it inadequate. The lack of templates and SEO features makes it useless for scaling content production. The biggest friction point is the stagnant development cycle. Jasper AI prioritizes its main product over ShortlyAI.

If you need a tool for writing fiction, ShortlyAI works well. If you need to rank articles on Google, choose Writesonic instead. We still do not know if Jasper plans to shut ShortlyAI down.

Core Capabilities

Key features that define this tool.

  • Write For Me: Generates text based on the cursor position. It requires existing context to function properly.
  • /rewrite Command: Rephrases selected text to change tone. It struggles with technical jargon.
  • /expand Command: Adds detail to a specific sentence. It adds filler words if the original sentence lacks direction.
  • /shorten Command: Condenses long sentences. It limits output to a single sentence.
  • Context Sidebar: Toggles how much previous text the AI considers. The hard limit is 1,200 characters.
  • Story Mode: Specialized setting for creative writing. It loses plot threads over 2,000 words.
  • Article Mode: Optimized for blog posts. It lacks factual accuracy for journalistic writing.
  • Output Length Control: Determines generation volume. The Large setting repeats earlier points.
  • Keyword Guidance: Forces the AI to include specific terms. It accepts a maximum of three keywords per generation.
  • Distraction-Free UI: A blank canvas interface. It lacks formatting toolbars.

Pricing Plans

  • Free: €0/mo — 1 user, 3 social accounts, 500 MB storage, one-time credit quota
  • Pro: €12/mo (or €9/mo billed annually) — 1 user, 7 social accounts, 5 GB storage, 10,000 credits/mo
  • Business: €29/mo (or €19/mo billed annually) — 3 users, 15 social accounts, 50 GB storage, 30,000 credits/mo
  • Growth: €79/mo (or €49/mo billed annually) — 5 users, 30 social accounts, 1 TB storage, 100,000 credits/mo
  • Enterprise: Custom — Custom limits and dedicated support

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: Is ShortlyAI still available after the Jasper acquisition? Yes, ShortlyAI remains available as a standalone product. Jasper AI maintains the servers and active subscriptions. The software rarely receives new feature updates.
  • Q: How do I use ShortlyAI commands for fiction writing? You type slash commands directly into the text editor. Typing /expand lengthens a specific plot point. Typing /rewrite changes the tone of character dialogue.
  • Q: Does ShortlyAI offer a lifetime deal? ShortlyAI does not offer a lifetime deal. Users must choose between monthly or annual billing cycles. The lowest paid tier costs €12 per month.
  • Q: What is the difference between ShortlyAI and Jasper? ShortlyAI provides a blank canvas for long-form writing and fiction. Jasper provides structured templates for marketing copy and blog posts. Jasper receives regular feature updates.
  • Q: Can ShortlyAI write a whole book? ShortlyAI cannot write a whole book automatically. The AI requires constant human guidance and context adjustments. It loses narrative focus after generating about 2,000 words.

Tool Information

Developer:

Jasper AI, Inc.

Release Year:

2020

Platform:

Web-based

Rating:

3.5