NotebookLM
VS
Perplexity AI
NotebookLM vs Perplexity AI
Which AI tool is better for Students in 2026? Let's break down the pricing and features.
The Verdict
NotebookLM is the more budget-friendly option, saving you $20.00 per month.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Core Feature | NotebookLM | Perplexity AI |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $0.00 /mo | $20.00 /mo |
| Developer | Perplexity | |
| Free Trial | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| API Access | ❌ No | ✅ Available |
| Support | Help Center |
NotebookLM Analysis
Why choose this?
- ✓ Incredible Audio Overview (AI Podcast)
- ✓ Grounded 100% in your uploaded documents
- ✓ Supports 50+ source types (PDF, Sheets, Slides)
- ✓ Massive 2M token context window
Potential Drawbacks
- ✕ No public API for external apps
- ✕ Audio generation is English-only currently
Perplexity AI Analysis
Why choose this?
- ✓ Real-time web search
- ✓ Cites sources for every claim
- ✓ Clean ad-free interface
- ✓ Access to GPT-4 and Claude 3
Potential Drawbacks
- ✕ Limited Pro search on free tier
- ✕ Can occasionally hallucinate sources
- ✕ Not optimized for creative writing