Gemini Notebook (NotebookLM) review

Gemini Notebook, which Google previously sold as NotebookLM, is less a notepad than a notebook that reads for you. You add sources such as class materials, research papers, call transcripts or help center articles, and every answer it gives is grounded in that material. From the same notebook it can produce Audio Overviews you listen to, Slides, Reports, Flashcards and interactive Mind Maps, and Source Discovery and Deep Research find new material without leaving the app. The standard plan is free with a Gmail account and allows up to 50 sources per notebook. Google AI Plus doubles the usage limits and raises the cap to 100 sources, Pro allows 300 with four times the standard limits, and Ultra allows 600. Organizations get it through Google Workspace or Google Cloud with enterprise data protection. The limits are that paid tiers depend on Google AI plans that are not sold everywhere, and the product is built around sources rather than quick personal notes or tasks.

Who it is for

Students, researchers and analysts who want answers drawn only from their own documents, at no cost to start.

Price

Free standard plan; Plus, Pro and Ultra through Google AI plans. See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Responses grounded in the sources you add to each notebook
• Audio Overviews, Slides, Reports and Flashcards generated from your material
• Interactive Mind Maps that show how topics connect
• Source Discovery and Deep Research to find new material inside the notebook
• Public notebooks you can share for others to query

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free standard plan with access to Gemini models
• Strength: Answers stay tied to your uploaded sources
• Strength: Google says individual data is not used for training unless you share feedback
• Weakness: Standard plan caps each notebook at 50 sources
• Weakness: Higher limits require a Google AI plan, which is only sold in some regions
• Weakness: Built around sources rather than freeform daily notes

Key facts

• Sources per notebook: 50 Standard, 100 Plus, 300 Pro, 600 Ultra
• Paid upgrades: Google AI Plus, Pro and Ultra
• Organizations: Google Workspace, Workspace for Education and Google Cloud

Where it ranks

Gemini Notebook (NotebookLM) is No. 1 in our Best AI Note-Taking Apps verdict.