Research & notes compared
Tools that find, cite and summarise information from the web or your own documents.
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perplexity | Quick research with sources | Yes | Pro $17/month and Max $167/month, both billed annually |
| Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) | Studying for exams and certifications | Yes | Free; higher limits included with Google AI subscriptions |
Perplexity
An answer engine that searches the web and replies with cited sources, so you can check where each claim comes from.
Our take: The quickest way to get a sourced answer; always click through to the citations for anything important.
Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM)
Upload your own documents, PDFs and links, then ask questions, get summaries and generate study guides grounded only in those sources.
Our take: One of the most useful free AI tools for learning: answers stay tied to the material you give it.
Prices checked on 23 October 2026 against each maker's website. No company pays to be listed.