Both are research tools. Perplexity has the higher Solthar Score, 93 to 92. NotebookLM is free; Perplexity is free to start, with paid plans.
| NotebookLM | Perplexity | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Research · Productivity | Research · Search |
| Pricing | Free | Freemium |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Solthar Score | 92/100 | 93/100 |
NotebookLM: what it does
Google's research companion that turns your sources into podcasts, briefs, and mind maps. NotebookLM is free. Solthar Score: 92/100.
Key features
- Audio overviews
- Source grounding
- Mind maps
Strengths
- Completely free
- Grounded answers
Trade-offs
- Source count limits
Perplexity: what it does
Answer engine that cites its sources. Research anything with real-time knowledge. Perplexity is free to start, with paid plans, with a free trial. Solthar Score: 93/100.
Key features
- Deep Research
- Pro Search
- Spaces
Strengths
- Cited answers
- Fast and current
Trade-offs
- Occasional citation drift
Which should you choose?
Choose NotebookLM if completely free matters most to you. Choose Perplexity if cited answers matters more. If you only try one, Perplexity scores higher overall.