# Gemini Notebook vs Z.ai Chat

> Gemini Notebook: Google's Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, answers questions and builds summaries from your own sources
> Z.ai Chat: Free GLM-powered AI chatbot and agent from Zhipu AI for writing, coding and research

- Gemini Notebook profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/notebooklm
- Z.ai Chat profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/z-ai
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/notebooklm-vs-z-ai
- Last reviewed: November 2026

## Verdict

Gemini Notebook and Z.ai Chat are both AI Assistants tools. Gemini Notebook scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.7 vs 8.0 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Gemini Notebook is available on iOS and Android. Only Z.ai Chat 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 Z.ai Chat if

- You want a tool built for trying GLM models at no cost, drafting and summarizing text, coding questions, low-cost API experimentation.
- Free web chat with recent GLM models and no subscription needed.
- Low per-token API prices, such as $0.15 input and $0.50 output per 1M tokens for GLM-5.3-Flash.

## Pricing

| | Gemini Notebook | Z.ai Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Gemini Notebook | Z.ai Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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 |
| GLM Chat | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent Capabilities | Not listed | Yes |
| Vision Understanding | Not listed | Yes |
| Coding Assistance | Not listed | Yes |
| GLM Coding Plan | Not listed | Yes |
| Web Search and Web Reader MCP | Not listed | Yes |
| Z.ai API Platform | Not listed | Yes |
| Open-Weights Models | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Gemini Notebook | Z.ai Chat |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | No |
| macOS | No | No |
| iOS | Yes | No |
| Android | Yes | No |
| 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

## Z.ai Chat strengths

- Free web chat with recent GLM models and no subscription needed.
- Low per-token API prices, such as $0.15 input and $0.50 output per 1M tokens for GLM-5.3-Flash.
- Many GLM models are open-weights, so they can be self-hosted.
- The Coding Plan works with 20+ existing coding agent tools rather than locking users into one editor.
- Vision, search and reader tools are included in Coding Plan tiers.

## Z.ai Chat limitations

- No confirmed official native iOS or Android app for the chat.
- Coding Plan terms have changed several times (legacy plans replaced by credits on July 30, 2026), which makes usage harder to predict.
- Service is operated by a China-based company, which may be a concern for data-residency-sensitive users.
- Free chat usage limits are not publicly documented.

## FAQ

**Is Gemini Notebook better than Z.ai Chat?**

It depends on your workflow. Gemini Notebook is built for summarizing and questioning your own documents. Z.ai Chat is built for trying GLM models at no cost, drafting and summarizing text, coding questions, low-cost API experimentation.

**What are the key feature differences between Gemini Notebook and Z.ai Chat?**

Gemini Notebook: Google's Gemini Notebook, formerly NotebookLM, answers questions and builds summaries from your own sources. Z.ai Chat: Free GLM-powered AI chatbot and agent from Zhipu AI for writing, coding and research.

**Does Gemini Notebook or Z.ai Chat have a free plan?**

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

**Which is cheaper, Gemini Notebook or Z.ai Chat?**

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