Gemini Notebook

Google's research notebook grounded in your sources. Formerly NotebookLM (renamed July 2026).

◎ Pick: Chat with PDFs and papersfree tierWeb, iOS, Android

Overview

Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM, renamed July 2026) answers questions only from the sources you add. It can turn them into Audio Overviews, flashcards, reports, slides and more.

Best for

Studying and research from your own documents.

Skip it if

Skip it if you want open web answers; Perplexity searches the web.

Pricing

Free: up to 50 sources per notebook; standard usage limits. Google AI Plus (from $4.99/mo, US): 100 sources and double limits. Pro ($19.99): 300 sources. Ultra: 600 sources. Checked Oct 14, 2026 on the official pricing page.

Pros

Answers stay grounded in your sources.
Free plan allows up to 50 sources per notebook.
It can turn your sources into Audio Overviews and flashcards.

Cons

It doesn't answer from the open web the way Perplexity does.
Paid plans are only available in some regions.

How it compares

For chatting with PDFs and papers our Best pick is Gemini Notebook. The runner-up is Claude. Gemini Notebook's free plan is also our free pick.

Quick start

Go to notebook.google.com and sign in with a Google account.
Create a notebook and add your sources.
Ask questions, or make an Audio Overview or flashcards.

Verdict

Our pick for working from your own documents, and it's free to start.

Where Gemini Notebook shows up

Chat with PDFs and papersBest pick

Alternatives

Runner-upClaudeclaude.ai

Anthropic's assistant, strong at writing and analysis.

free tierChecked Oct 14, 2026