Shorthand is the modern alternative to Issuu
Create immersive, scroll-based content in hours, not weeks — with up to 10× higher engagement.
Shorthand is the
modern alternative
to Issuu
Create immersive, scroll-based content in hours, not weeks — with up to 10× higher engagement.
Loved by 1,000+ leading publishers, brands, and creative agencies
Loved by 1,000+ leading publishers, brands, and creative agencies
Why content teams switch from Issuu to Shorthand
Shorthand is the modern alternative to Issuu and other flipbook providers — built for scroll-based storytelling, mobile-native design, and proven to deliver 2–3× higher time on page.
Ratings from independent user reviews on G2.com. See the full comparison.
What content teams get with Shorthand
Beautiful storytelling, without the overhead
Readers expect more than static layouts. Give your team the tools to create stunning editorial-quality experiences that feel alive, with no coding or web design expertise required.
Fast and flexible production
Go from idea to publish in record time. With pre-built templates, AI-powered layouts, and a streamlined editor, Shorthand makes production simple and effortless.
Responsive and accessible by default
Produce content that looks great on any device, with accessibility features built in. No clunky flipbooks — just smooth, delightful reading.
What content teams get with Shorthand
Beautiful storytelling, without the overhead
Readers expect more than static layouts. Give your team the tools to create stunning editorial-quality experiences that feel alive, with no coding or web design expertise required.
Fast and flexible production
Go from idea to publish in record time. With pre-built templates, AI-powered layouts, and a streamlined editor, Shorthand makes production simple and effortless.
Responsive and accessible by default
Produce content that looks great on any device, with accessibility features built in. No clunky flipbooks — just smooth, delightful reading.
See how Shorthand compares
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Speed to publish |
Drag-and-drop interface, no developers required |
Upload and convert PDFs; depends on external design tools |
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Mobile experience |
Fully responsive, mobile-first design |
Clunky pinch-and-zoom experience |
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SEO and accessibility |
Web-native format optimized for search and accessibility |
Limited SEO visibility; not accessibility compliant |
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Interactivity and engagement |
Rich media and animations shown to drive up to 3× higher completion rates |
Limited interactivity; static reader experience |
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Brand control |
Custom branded themes and reusable templates |
Limited brand control; customization is manual and time-intensive |
See how Shorthand compares
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|
|
|
|
Speed to publish |
Drag-and-drop interface, no developers required |
Upload and convert PDFs; depends on external design tools |
|
Mobile experience |
Fully responsive, mobile-first design |
Clunky pinch-and-zoom experience |
|
SEO and accessibility |
Web-native format optimized for search and accessibility |
Limited SEO visibility; not accessibility compliant |
|
Interactivity and engagement |
Rich media and animations shown to drive up to 3× higher completion rates |
Limited interactivity; static reader experience |
|
Brand control |
Custom branded themes and reusable templates |
Limited brand control; customization is manual and time-intensive |
Join the 500+ universities, brands, and nonprofits who publish digital magazines with Shorthand
Join the 500+ universities, brands, and nonprofits who publish digital magazines with Shorthand
Discover why content teams love Shorthand
What I really loved about this story is that it felt like a proper mobile-native experience, flowing smoothly down the screen.
What I really loved about this story is that it felt like a proper mobile-native experience, flowing smoothly down the screen.
Start creating
What you can create
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to upload a PDF to use Shorthand?
No. You create digital publications directly in the editor — no PDF uploads or complicated design tools required.
Why is Shorthand better than Issuu for content marketers and publishers?
Shorthand delivers fully responsive, scroll-based experiences that readers actually engage with — especially on mobile. Unlike Issuu, Shorthand is web-native and designed with modern accessibility standards in mind. You can get started today, with no commitment and no credit card required.
Do I need design experience to use Shorthand?
No. Shorthand is beautifully simple to use. Anyone on your team can create immersive digital publications in hours, not weeks.
How do I add my brand elements and styles?
Shorthand allows you to customize colors, fonts, styles, logos, and media to your brand guidelines.
On selected plans, you'll receive a bespoke custom branded theme built to your specification, as well as access to custom CSS and developer tools for total control over styles, integrations, and layouts. Alternatively, opt for our DIY theme builder, enabling you to create your own custom themes.
Where can I publish my content?
You can create publications that are standalone Shorthand-hosted pages, embed them into your website or intranet, or use your own custom subdomain — with full control over branding and access. Shorthand offers more flexible publishing options than Issuu or any other comparable platform.
How do I measure the impact of my content?
You can easily add Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, heatmapping tools, and other third-party trackers to your content.
Alternatively, use Shorthand’s built-in analytics to track how your content is performing.
What’s the learning curve?
Most teams begin creating polished content within days. You can join our free live training webinars, watch on-demand tutorials, or choose a plan that includes personalized onboarding with white-glove support from our industry-leading customer success team.
Start creating for free
Try Shorthand free for as long as you like. No commitment, no credit card needed until you’re ready to publish.
Built with Shorthand