ConsensusvsGemini Notebook
Two research tools, the same questions. Every answer comes from the official pages, with the date we checked. Nothing here is ranked.
last check 2026-10-11
Consensus
by Consensus
Consensus is an AI academic search engine that finds peer-reviewed papers and summarizes them with in-line citations; a beginner might try it to see what published studies say about a question.
All Consensus factsGemini Notebook
by Google
Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) is Google's research notebook that answers questions only from the files, links and videos you add, with citations back to those sources; a beginner might try it to summarize class readings or turn notes into a study guide or audio overview.
All Gemini Notebook factsWhere they differ
- Search scopeConsensus: Peer-reviewed research papers (over 220 million; sources include Semantic Scholar, OpenAlex, Consensus's own crawl and publisher partnerships); optional Medical Mode subsetGemini Notebook: Sources the user adds to a notebook (files, web and YouTube URLs, Google Drive files); new web and Drive sources can be discovered when adding sources
- Export formatsConsensus: CSV, RISGemini Notebook: PDF, PPTX, PNG, CSV, Google Docs
- PlatformsConsensus: WebGemini Notebook: Web, Mobile app
Confirmed for only one of the two so far: AI models, account, where it is available. The table below shows which.
Same answer for both: free plan, file upload, traceable citations.
Plans and prices
As listed on each official pricing page, in the currency we were shown. No conversion, no rounding.
Consensus
- Free Free plan$0.00 / month
- Pro Paid, individual$144.00 / year, annual commitment
- Deep Paid, individual$540.00 / year, annual commitment
- Teams TeamPrice not confirmed
Gemini Notebook
- Gemini Notebook (Standard) Free planPrice not confirmed
- Gemini Notebook in Google AI Plus Paid, individual$4.99 / monthshown for United States
- Gemini Notebook in Google AI Pro Paid, individual$19.99 / monthshown for United States
- Gemini Notebook in Google AI Ultra Paid, individual$99.99 / monthshown for United States
Full comparison with sources
| Research | ||
| What it is for | ||
| What it is for | Consensus is an AI academic search engine that finds peer-reviewed papers and summarizes them with in-line citations; a beginner might try it to see what published studies say about a question. | Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) is Google's research notebook that answers questions only from the files, links and videos you add, with citations back to those sources; a beginner might try it to summarize class readings or turn notes into a study guide or audio overview. |
| Good for | ||
| Editor's suggestion |
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| Cost | ||
| Free planA free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately. |
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| Plans and pricesOriginal currency and billing period. No conversion. |
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| AI models | ||
| AI modelsThe AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date. |
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| Input and output | ||
| File uploadYou can give it files such as PDFs or documents. |
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| Checking facts | ||
| Traceable citationsAnswers link to the specific sources they rely on. |
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| Search scopeWhat it searches: the open web, academic papers, or both. |
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| Workflow | ||
| Export formatsFile formats you can download results in. |
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| PlatformsWhere the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension. |
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| Requirements | ||
| AccountWhether you need to sign up before using it. |
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| Where it is availableCountries or regions where the provider says it can be used. |
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| Not yet confirmed | ||
| Usage limitsHow much each plan lets you use it, in the official pages' own words. |
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| Context windowHow much text it can take in at once (a long document, a long chat). |
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| Sources and confidence | ||
| Confidence | Last checked 2026-10-10 Not yet confirmed: AI models, Account, Where it is available, Usage limits, Context window | Last checked 2026-10-11 Not yet confirmed: Usage limits, Context window |
What it is for
What it is for
Consensus:
Consensus is an AI academic search engine that finds peer-reviewed papers and summarizes them with in-line citations; a beginner might try it to see what published studies say about a question.
Gemini Notebook:
Gemini Notebook (formerly NotebookLM) is Google's research notebook that answers questions only from the files, links and videos you add, with citations back to those sources; a beginner might try it to summarize class readings or turn notes into a study guide or audio overview.
Editor's suggestion
Consensus:
- Editor's suggestion: Try summarising a document you are allowed to share, then check the summary against the original.
- Editor's suggestion: Use it to find sources on a specific question, then open each citation to confirm it says what the answer claims.
Gemini Notebook:
- Editor's suggestion: Try summarising a document you are allowed to share, then check the summary against the original.
- Editor's suggestion: Use it to find sources on a specific question, then open each citation to confirm it says what the answer claims.
Cost
Free plan
A free plan that is not time-limited. Trials are listed separately.
Consensus:
- Supportedconsensus.appchecked 2026-10-10
Free plan
Gemini Notebook:
- Supportedsupport.google.comchecked 2026-10-10
Gemini Notebook (Standard) plan
Plans and prices
Consensus:
- Free (Free plan)$0.00 / month
- Pro (Paid, individual)$144.00 / year, annual commitment
- Deep (Paid, individual)$540.00 / year, annual commitment
- Teams (Team)Price not confirmed
- All plan details and sources
Gemini Notebook:
- Gemini Notebook (Standard) (Free plan)Price not confirmed
- Gemini Notebook in Google AI Plus (Paid, individual)$4.99 / month (shown for United States)
- Gemini Notebook in Google AI Pro (Paid, individual)$19.99 / month (shown for United States)
- Gemini Notebook in Google AI Ultra (Paid, individual)$99.99 / month (shown for United States)
- All plan details and sources
AI models
AI models
The AI models the official pages name for this product. Line-ups change often, so check the date.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Gemini Notebook:
- Gemini 3.5, Nano Banana, Veo, Omniblog.google +3checked 2026-10-10
Input and output
File upload
You can give it files such as PDFs or documents.
Consensus:
- Supportedintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Gemini Notebook:
- Supportedsupport.google.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Checking facts
Traceable citations
Answers link to the specific sources they rely on.
Consensus:
- Supportedintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Gemini Notebook:
- Supportedsupport.google.comchecked 2026-10-10
Plan not specified
Search scope
What it searches: the open web, academic papers, or both.
Consensus:
- Peer-reviewed research papers (over 220 million; sources include Semantic Scholar, OpenAlex, Consensus's own crawl and publisher partnerships); optional Medical Mode subsetintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Gemini Notebook:
- Sources the user adds to a notebook (files, web and YouTube URLs, Google Drive files); new web and Drive sources can be discovered when adding sourcessupport.google.comchecked 2026-10-10
Workflow
Export formats
File formats you can download results in.
Consensus:
- CSV, RISintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Gemini Notebook:
- PDF, PPTX, PNG, CSV, Google Docssupport.google.com +3checked 2026-10-10
Platforms
Where the product is offered: web, desktop app, mobile app, or editor extension.
Consensus:
- Webintercom.helpchecked 2026-10-10
Gemini Notebook:
- Web, Mobile appsupport.google.com +1checked 2026-10-10
Requirements
Account
Whether you need to sign up before using it.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Gemini Notebook:
- Google Account sign-in required (personal, or work/school account with access turned on by the admin)support.google.comchecked 2026-10-10
Where it is available
Countries or regions where the provider says it can be used.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Gemini Notebook:
- Browser version available in the countries and territories listed on the official help page, for users above the age of consent; the mobile app and paid Google AI plans have their own country listssupport.google.comchecked 2026-10-10
On: Web
Not yet confirmed
Usage limits
How much each plan lets you use it, in the official pages' own words.
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Gemini Notebook:
- Not yet confirmed
Context window
How much text it can take in at once (a long document, a long chat).
Consensus:
- Not yet confirmed
Gemini Notebook:
- Not yet confirmed
Sources and confidence
Confidence
Consensus:
Last checked 2026-10-10
Not yet confirmed: AI models, Account, Where it is available, Usage limits, Context window
Gemini Notebook:
Last checked 2026-10-11
Not yet confirmed: Usage limits, Context window