Google’s NotebookLM is a great AI note-taking device powered by Gemini 2.5, which excels at summarizing paperwork. Nevertheless, it nonetheless has limitations in device use, like supply caps, cloud dependence, and the current “Uncover” function, which has restricted contextual understanding. Therefore, we carry you this listing of among the greatest AI note-taking apps and free options to NotebookLM, that supply extra flexibility, collaboration, or offline help. On this information, we’ll discover the highest NotebookLM options and discover out which of them work greatest for various workflows.
What Ought to You Search for in a NotebookLM Various?
NotebookLM affords a singular combination of AI and word administration, however it’s nonetheless evolving and has some limitations, like restricted file help. So, when choosing a note-taking software program various for NotebookLM, we have to contemplate the components that’ll assist us enhance our productiveness and in addition arrange our notes higher. Listed below are among the options we should contemplate earlier than choosing another:
- Ease of Use: Choosing a note-taking software program that’s simple to make use of and intuitive will assist in finishing the duty with effectivity whereas spending restricted time.
- AI Capabilities and Integrations: Search for instruments that supply significant help like auto-summarization, Q&A, voice transcription, and so forth. Whereas supporting the sync talents with calendars, e-mail, and cloud drives, so your notes can seize every part.
- Be aware Group: It must also have options like tagging, tagging, databases, backlinks, or graph views that may assist to construction the consumer’s data.
- Search and Discovery: Having a strong search, filter, or “join the dots” function will assist in retrieving the data quicker and even present surface-level notes mechanically.
- Collaboration: Whereas working with a staff, one hav eot search for real-time sharing, commenting, and entry controls.
- Pricing: Pricing is among the most necessary components when selecting a brand new software.
Additionally Learn: 5 NotebookLM Makes use of that You Should Know
The 7 Greatest NotebookLM Options
Utilizing the proper note-taking methods helps us enhance our productiveness, arrange conferences effectively, and helps in managing our every day duties. To make this much more environment friendly, on this part, we’ll cowl the 7 greatest free options for NotebookLM.
1. ClickUp
ClickUp is an all-in-one work platform that mixes notes, duties, docs, wikis, whiteboards, and extra in a single interface. Its Docs function permits you to write and format paperwork that combine together with your initiatives and duties. ClickUp’s “Mind” AI assistant can summarize content material, draft duties, or reply questions based mostly on the undertaking knowledge.
For instance, ClickUp can immediately generate a undertaking standing abstract or extract motion gadgets from assembly notes. It helps many views like listing, board, calendar, timeline, and deep customization with customized fields, automations, and 40+ integrations.
Ultimate For:
- Groups and project-driven customers who need notes tightly linked to duties and plans.
- ClickUp shines for undertaking administration and collaboration, not simply solitary note-taking. It’s strong hierarchy scales from solo use to enterprise-level wants.
Execs:
- Extraordinarily feature-rich and versatile (practically every part is configurable)
- Sturdy collaboration instruments (feedback, mentions, real-time modifying)
- Constructed-in AI options (summaries, translations, customized AI fields)
Cons:
- It may be overwhelming for brand spanking new customers
- The interface can take a while
- Cell apps and offline help are first rate, however not the main focus
Pricing:
- Free Ceaselessly plan with limitless duties/docs and 100 MB storage
- Professional Plan: ~$7/month
- Enterprise Plan: ~$12/month
Hyperlink: clickup.com
2. Notion
Notion is a flexible workspace that mixes notes, docs, databases, kanban boards, calendars, and extra inside a unified interface. Every little thing in Notion is sort of a block that you could drag and drop. This makes it a versatile device for organizing data. Notion AI can summarize notes, generate textual content, reply questions, and rephrase content material throughout the paperwork. Its highly effective databases and customized properties assist to construct customized word buildings like a private undertaking tracker on prime of your content material.
Ultimate For:
- Notion helps groups and people in search of an all-purpose device. Its system is nice for writing and structuring paperwork.
- It additionally helps real-time collaboration, reminiscent of commenting and sharing. Notion is appropriate for customers who need a single place for notes and light-weight undertaking administration.
Execs:
- Lovely, customizable interface
- Wealthy media help.
- Glorious staff options
- Numerous templates
Cons:
- It may be complicated to arrange superior techniques
- AI options require credit or a paid plan
- Offline modifying is restricted
Pricing:
- Free plan for private use
- Plus Plan: $10/month
- Enterprise Plan: $20/month
- Notion AI is a paid add-on to larger plans
Hyperlink: notion.com
3. Evernote
Evernote is a note-taking app identified for capturing something associated to textual content notes, net clippings, paperwork, audio, and PDFs. It options strong search, together with handwriting and OCR. Additionally, its AI function contains search and writing assistant to summarize and broaden your notes. Evernote’s interface is less complicated than ClickUp’s, specializing in notebooks, notes, and a strong tagging system for group.
Ultimate For:
- College students, professionals, and anybody who incessantly saves net articles or PDFs.
- If you’d like a basic notes app with sturdy search and clipping (e.g., as a analysis library), Evernote is a strong selection.
Execs:
- Mature app with many options (net clipper, templates, highly effective search)
- Cross-platform sync
- Helps attachments and multimedia
Cons:
- Free tier may be very restricted (50 notes, 1 pocket book, 250 MB uploads/month)
- Latest value hikes on paid plans have upset customers
Pricing:
- Fundamental Free tier: 250 MB uploads/month
- Private Plan: ₹449.00/month
- Skilled Plan: ₹519.00/month
- Enterprise/Groups plans are additionally obtainable
Hyperlink: evernote.com
4. Obsidian
Obsidian is a Markdown-based note-making app that emphasizes non-public, native storage and linking. Your whole notes are easy textual content information, and Obsidian permits you to simply hyperlink between notes to create a private information graph. It affords options like backlinks, graph visualization, and an ever-growing library of neighborhood plugins.
Ultimate For:
- Information employees and privacy-minded customers who need a highly effective “second mind.”
- Obsidian fits writers, researchers, and builders who worth deep linking and excessive customizability.
Execs:
- Extraordinarily versatile function contains themes, plugins, and customized shortcuts
- Works totally offline
- Giant, lively neighborhood with plugin help
Cons:
- Barebones out of the field requires plugins for options like calendar or job administration
- Restricted multi-user collaboration might be managed through shared vaults or Git sync
Pricing:
- Free for private use- Paid companies like Obsidian Sync can be found.
- Elective Catalyst license ($25) for AI options and early entry.
Hyperlink: obsidian.md
5. Tana
Tana is an rising graph app with built-in AI, and notes in Tana are hierarchical “nodes” that may be tagged to show them into duties, initiatives, paperwork, and so forth. It additionally has a sensible feed and queries that use floor data with out looking. Additionally, Tana helps stay assembly transcripts and computerized motion gadgets “Assembly Agent”, which leverages AI to organise the conversations.
Ultimate For:
- Customers who need a next-gen, graph-based note-taking system with AI smarts.
- Tana appeals to energy customers who must seize concepts rapidly and switch them into structured duties or paperwork.
Execs:
- Extraordinarily highly effective group
- Extraordinarily highly effective group
- Extremely versatile and adaptable to complicated workflows
Cons:
- UI and options are evolving
- Not totally free past trials
Pricing:
- Trial entry is free
- Professional Plan: $8/month
- Larger Professional Plan: $14/mon
Hyperlink: tana.inc
6. Saner.AI
Saner.AI manufacturers itself as an AI assistant designed to assist arrange notes, emails, and duties. It focuses on simplicity and retrieval, so you possibly can rapidly write down or import notes after which ask AI to search out insights, summaries, and even create duties for them. Saner mechanically suggests tags, exhibits associated previous notes, and in addition suggests what’s necessary with minimal guide organizing.
Ultimate For:
- People in search of a simple, AI-driven word/job app
- Nice for customers preferring querying notes conversationally as a substitute of organizing manually.
Execs:
- Clear, easy interface
- Constructed-in AI search and summarization
- Auto-tagging and related-note recall
Cons:
- Principally cloud-based
- No devoted desktop app
Pricing:
- Free Plan: 30 AI messages/month, 100 notes, PDF help as much as 1 MB/file
- Starter Plan: $8/month
- Customary Plan: $16/month
Hyperlink: saner.ai
7. RemNote
RemNote combines note-making with spaced repetition flashcards for studying. It’s particularly tailor-made ot college students. So you possibly can write lecture notes or necessary textbooks, then convert them into bullet factors into flashcards proper inside your notes. RemNote additionally affords AI instruments like GPT-powered quizzes and Q&A, automated summaries, and flashcard era from docs.
Ultimate For:
- Learners and information builders who need to retain data
- Particularly useful for medical or language college students centered on memorization
- Stands out for its reminiscence and spaced repetition options
Execs:
- Tight integration of notes with flashcards/quizzes
- Offline-capable
- Helps math, diagrams, and reference linking
Cons:
- The interface might be complicated or overwhelming at first
- Much less helpful when you don’t use flashcards repeatedly
Pricing:
- Free Plan: Limitless notes/units, restricted AI credit, fundamental PDF/picture help
- Professional Plan: ₹333/month
- Professional with AI Plan: ₹1166/month — contains limitless uploads, extra AI credit, and superior options
Hyperlink: remnote.com
Total Comparision
To decide on the suitable various for NotebookLM, we should contemplate our most important purpose first. Whether or not it’s managing initiatives, capturing concepts, or studying effectively – there’s a completely different various device for it. Right here’s a desk evaluating all of the above instruments that will help you make your greatest decide.
| Device | Greatest For | Key Strengths | Limitations | Pricing (USD) |
| ClickUp | Groups, undertaking administration + notes | All-in-one duties/docs, sturdy AI | Advanced UI, restricted offline | Free, Professional: $7, Ent: $12 |
| Notion | Private + staff docs/databases | Customizable, nice for writing | Steeper studying curve, AI paid | Free, Plus: $10, AI additional |
| Evernote | Traditional note-taking & net clipping | Mature, nice search/OCR | Worth hikes, restricted free plan | Free, Paid from ₹449/mo |
| Obsidian | Non-public, native, linked notes | Offline-first, plugin-rich | Not very best for collaboration | Free, Sync/Catalyst optionally available |
| Tana | AI-first, graph-based workflows | Actual-time AI, highly effective construction | New, evolving interface | Trial, Professional: $8, Prem: $14 |
| Saner.AI | Simplicity & ADHD-friendly workflows | Clear UI, auto-tagging, AI search | Cloud-only, fundamental options | Free, Starter: $8, Professional: $16 |
| RemNote | College students & spaced repetition learners | Flashcards + notes, AI quiz instruments | Much less helpful with out memorization | Free, Professional: ₹333–₹1166/mo |
Conclusion
NotebookLm launched a brand new method to take good notes, however it’s not the one possibility. Relying on the duty’s needslike whether or not it’s collaboration, offline entry, or a clear interface. There are numerous options that we are able to discover. Ultimately, the suitable selection is dependent upon the consumer’s requirement and your skilled workflow. So, one ought to benefit from the free trials to discover and discover what suits greatest and let your notes work with you.
So, whether or not you’re a working skilled managing complicated initiatives, a pupil optimizing reminiscence retention, or somebody in search of a distraction-free AI-assisted workspace, there may be an AI-assisted note-making device designed to boost the best way you suppose, plan, and create.
Hiya! I am Vipin, a passionate knowledge science and machine studying fanatic with a powerful basis in knowledge evaluation, machine studying algorithms, and programming. I’ve hands-on expertise in constructing fashions, managing messy knowledge, and fixing real-world issues. My purpose is to use data-driven insights to create sensible options that drive outcomes. I am desperate to contribute my expertise in a collaborative setting whereas persevering with to be taught and develop within the fields of Information Science, Machine Studying, and NLP.
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