# Gemini Notebook vs Novastart

> Gemini Notebook: Google's Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, answers questions and builds summaries from your own sources
> Novastart: Infinite canvas desktop where your apps, teammates and AI agents share one workspace

- Gemini Notebook profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/notebooklm
- Novastart profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/novastart
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/notebooklm-vs-novastart
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

Gemini Notebook is listed under AI Assistants and Novastart under Productivity. Gemini Notebook scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.7 vs 7.3 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Gemini Notebook is available on Web, iOS and Android. Only Novastart is available on Windows, macOS and Linux.

### Choose Gemini Notebook if

- You want a tool built for summarizing and questioning your own documents.
- Answers cite the uploaded sources, so claims can be checked against the original text.
- Free Standard tier with 100 notebooks and 50 sources per notebook.

### Choose Novastart if

- You want a tool built for keeping many apps and projects organized in saved workspaces, watching AI agents work step by step, sharing a live workspace with teammates.
- Agents work with a visible cursor and can be paused, steered or taken over.
- Permanent free plan with all apps available.

## Pricing

| | Gemini Notebook | Novastart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Gemini Notebook | Novastart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Source-grounded chat | Yes | Not listed |
| Audio Overviews | Yes | Not listed |
| Video Overviews | Yes | Not listed |
| Study tools | Yes | Not listed |
| Reports, slide decks and infographics | Yes | Not listed |
| Multiple source types | Yes | Not listed |
| Cloud computer | Yes | Not listed |
| Gemini app sync | Yes | Not listed |
| Sharing and public notebooks | Yes | Not listed |
| Infinite canvas | Not listed | Yes |
| Saved canvases | Not listed | Yes |
| Visible AI agents | Not listed | Yes |
| Multi-agent runs | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent modes | Not listed | Yes |
| Team collaboration | Not listed | Yes |
| Real apps | Not listed | Yes |
| Local-first data | Not listed | Yes |
| Undo history | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Gemini Notebook | Novastart |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | No |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | No |
| Android | Yes | No |
| API | No | No |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Linux | No | Yes |

## Gemini Notebook strengths

- Answers cite the uploaded sources, so claims can be checked against the original text
- Free Standard tier with 100 notebooks and 50 sources per notebook
- Wide range of outputs, including Audio Overviews, Video Overviews, mind maps, flashcards, quizzes and slide decks
- Accepts PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, audio files, Google Docs and Google Slides
- Available on web, iOS and Android, and synced with the Gemini app

## Gemini Notebook limitations

- Works from the sources you add and is not built for live web news search
- Higher limits require a Google AI subscription; Ultra starts at $99.99 per month
- The cloud computer for code execution started with Ultra and Workspace AI Ultra Access customers, with Pro rollout still described as upcoming
- No public API for the consumer product, and the renamed brand can make older guides and app listings confusing

## Novastart strengths

- Agents work with a visible cursor and can be paused, steered or taken over
- Permanent free plan with all apps available
- Pro at $10 per month removes canvas limits
- Local-first design keeps canvas contents on the user's machine
- Peer-to-peer canvas sharing with per-person cursors

## Novastart limitations

- The app is a full computer in a window and the site warns to expect some lag
- App supports only Windows and Intel Macs, and needs 8 GB RAM and virtualization
- Novastart OS replaces the existing system on the PC it is installed on
- Agent use costs extra on every plan and needs credits of $25 or more
- Young product launched in September 2026 with little independent review history

## FAQ

**Is Gemini Notebook better than Novastart?**

It depends on your workflow. Gemini Notebook is built for summarizing and questioning your own documents. Novastart is built for keeping many apps and projects organized in saved workspaces, watching AI agents work step by step, sharing a live workspace with teammates.

**What are the key feature differences between Gemini Notebook and Novastart?**

Gemini Notebook: Google's Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, answers questions and builds summaries from your own sources. Novastart: Infinite canvas desktop where your apps, teammates and AI agents share one workspace.

**Does Gemini Notebook or Novastart have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Gemini Notebook is freemium and Novastart is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Gemini Notebook or Novastart?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.