S
SNotebookLM vs Reflect Notes
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
N
Choose NotebookLM if…
- you work on Web
- you're in its core audience: students, researchers
R
Choose Reflect Notes if…
- you want open source you can self-host or audit
- you work on macOS, iOS
- you're in its core audience: writers, researchers
Side by side
Feature NotebookLM Reflect Notes
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starting price——
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
Data retention—Audio file deleted once transcription completes and syncs to note
Security and compliance—GDPR
PlatformsWebmacOS, iOS
CategoryResearch AssistantsNotes & Knowledge
CompanyGoogleReflect App LLC
Based in—United States
Founded——
Part of——
What the free plans include
NotebookLM
Free plan limits aren't published.
Reflect Notes
- Mac app is free, no subscription required
- iPhone and iPad app requires a paid subscription
- Optional AI requires your own API key; provider charges are separate
Key features
N NotebookLM
- Notebooks organized around your uploaded sources
- Answers questions using a Gemini model
- Up to 600 sources per notebook on top tiers
- Notebook sharing, with advanced controls on Enterprise
- Workspace and Workspace for Education access
- Enterprise security controls via Google Cloud
R Reflect Notes
- Daily notes with backlinked, networked notes
- Local Markdown files in a folder you choose
- Sync via iCloud Drive or Git
- Web clips and audio memo capture
- Search across past notes
- AI answers linked to source notes, using your own API key
- AI summaries, grammar fixes, custom prompts and transcription
- Import notes from Reflect Classic
Plans and prices
From each vendor's site. Prices change — confirm before buying.
NotebookLM
StandardFree
Plus (Google AI Plus)Price not stated
Pro (Google AI Pro)Price not stated
Ultra (Google AI Ultra)Price not stated
EnterpriseCustom
Reflect Notes
MacFree
iPhone & iPadLocal pricing on the App Store
Strengths and limitations
NotebookLM
- Free Standard tier allows 100 notebooks and 50 sources per notebook
- Paid tiers raise limits to as many as 600 sources per notebook
- Available through Workspace, Workspace for Education and Google Cloud
- NotebookLM help page gives no prices; they sit on separate Google AI plan pages
- Watermarks stay on output in India, South Korea and Vietnam even on paid plans
- Google labels plan limits as subject to change
Reflect Notes
- Mac app is free with no subscription
- Open source, with code on GitHub
- Notes stored as local Markdown files
- AI requests go directly to your own provider
- No Windows, Android or web app listed
- iPhone and iPad app needs a paid subscription
- AI features need your own API key, and provider charges are billed separately
More comparisons
Other options to consider
SS
Free
S
Free AI-powered search engine for scientific papers across all fields
Research AssistantsFree planAPI
C
CAI search engine that answers questions from peer-reviewed research papers
Free, from $20/mo
C
Free, from $20/mo
C
AI search engine that answers questions from peer-reviewed research papers
Research AssistantsFree planAPI
E
EAI research assistant for paper search, systematic reviews and evidence reports
Free, from $49/mo
E
Free, from $49/mo
E
AI research assistant for paper search, systematic reviews and evidence reports
Research AssistantsFree planAPI
K
KK
Free, from $12.99/mo
K
AI flashcards, notes and exam prep built from lectures, PDFs and videos
Learning & TutoringFree plan
C
CNote-taking app that organizes ideas as linked objects instead of folders
Free, from $9.99/mo
C
Free, from $9.99/mo
C
Note-taking app that organizes ideas as linked objects instead of folders
Notes & KnowledgeFree planAPI
E
EE
Free, from $14.99/mo
E
Notes, tasks and calendar in one app, with AI search and transcription
Notes & KnowledgeFree plan
Facts from each vendor's public pages, prices checked Oct 26, 2026. Editorial policy