A little guidance.
Start with a drop. Open the question at the top of this page to read an idea, Love it, save it, share it, or explore another. No download or payment needed to try it here.
See the homepage dropPrefer to read without opening the interactive preview? Browse our free nonfiction book ideas with source context.
Questions, answered.
What is ThoughtDrop?
ThoughtDrop is a quiet native Mac app that offers one concise idea from a nonfiction book at a time, with enough context to keep thinking. It lives in your menu bar and opens from the notch.
Is ThoughtDrop a replacement for reading books?
No. Each drop is a single idea with book and author attribution, not a book summary or a substitute for the original. If an idea resonates, we hope you read the book.
Can I try ThoughtDrop for free?
Yes. The Free plan gives you one random drop every day in the Mac app, with no payment — just sign in. You can also open the drop at the top of this website to explore sample ideas without a download or account.
How much does ThoughtDrop cost?
Free gives you one random drop a day. Pro is $4 USD per month, plus applicable tax, and unlocks everything: drops on your own schedule, the full library, saving and loving ideas, and topic choices. It is a monthly subscription, not a one-time purchase. You upgrade after installing the app and signing in; downloading alone does not start a subscription.
Which Macs does it support, and how do I install it?
ThoughtDrop runs on Apple Silicon Macs with macOS 14 or later. Choose Get ThoughtDrop for Mac, open the DMG, drag ThoughtDrop into Applications, then open it and sign in.
Do I need an account?
Yes. Sign in with Google; there are no passwords. Your settings, saved ideas, and loved ideas sync across your Macs when you use the same Google account. Reading activity sharing is optional and off by default.
How do I connect my Mac?
Start sign-in in ThoughtDrop, then sign in on the web page it opens and check that the code matches the one on your Mac before approving. Never approve a code someone sends you. You can sign out other devices from your account page.
What happens when I cancel?
Cancel from your account page. Renewal stops and access continues until the end of your paid period. Afterwards you return to Free: one random drop a day, and your saved and loved ideas stay readable.
Does ThoughtDrop work offline?
Saved and loved ideas already on your Mac can be read offline. Signing in, syncing, billing, and new drops need an internet connection.
Where do the ideas come from?
Every drop is written in our own words from a published book and credits the book and author. Examples and analogies illustrate an idea; they are not quotations or stories from the book. Each drop is reviewed by an editor before release.
Does ThoughtDrop copy text from books?
No. ThoughtDrop does not reproduce chapters, summaries, or substantial passages. Drops are short original explanations of an idea with attribution, and any quoted phrase is brief and credited. We do not sell or distribute books.
I own the rights to a book. How do I report a copyright concern?
Email support@thoughtdrop.xyz with the subject “Copyright.” Include the title and author of the work, the drop's text or link, how you believe it infringes your rights, your contact details, and a statement that you are the rights holder or authorized to act for them. We acknowledge notices promptly, withdraw the drop while we review it, and tell you the outcome. Withdrawn drops stop appearing for all readers.
An idea is wrong or credited to the wrong book. What should I do?
Email support@thoughtdrop.xyz with the drop's text and what should change. Our editors review corrections and update or withdraw the drop.
How do I get help?
Email support@thoughtdrop.xyz. For billing questions, include the email on your receipt. Never send a password, payment card number, or sign-in code.
Still stuck? Email support@thoughtdrop.xyz. See also the subscription terms and privacy policy.