# Gemini Notebook vs Perplexity

> Gemini Notebook: Google's Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, answers questions and builds summaries from your own sources
> Perplexity: AI answer engine that searches the live web and cites its sources

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

## Verdict

Gemini Notebook and Perplexity are both AI Assistants tools. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Perplexity offers an API.

### 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 Perplexity if

- You want a tool built for answering factual and current-events questions with checkable sources, and running multi-step web research.
- Every answer links to numbered sources, so claims are easy to check.
- Free plan includes search with citations.

## Pricing

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

## Features

| Feature | Gemini Notebook | Perplexity |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| Cited answers | Not listed | Yes |
| Pro Search | Not listed | Yes |
| Research | Not listed | Yes |
| Model selection | Not listed | Yes |
| File uploads | Not listed | Yes |
| Perplexity Computer | Not listed | Yes |
| Comet browser | Not listed | Yes |
| Perplexity API | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

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

## 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

## Perplexity strengths

- Every answer links to numbered sources, so claims are easy to check
- Free plan includes search with citations
- Paid plans offer a choice of advanced models from several providers
- Available on web, iOS, Android and through a developer API
- Separate Comet browser integrates the assistant into browsing

## Perplexity limitations

- Free plan is limited to 3 Pro Searches per day and 1 Research query per month
- Pro and Max limits are described as weekly or monthly allowances rather than fixed numbers
- Max costs $200 per month, and Enterprise Max costs $325
- Answers can still contain errors, so the cited sources need checking

## FAQ

**Is Gemini Notebook better than Perplexity?**

It depends on your workflow. Gemini Notebook is built for summarizing and questioning your own documents. Perplexity is built for answering factual and current-events questions with checkable sources, and running multi-step web research.

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

Gemini Notebook: Google's Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, answers questions and builds summaries from your own sources. Perplexity: AI answer engine that searches the live web and cites its sources.

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

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

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

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