Choose NotebookLM if you want free document analysis, love the Audio Overview podcast feature, or need strict source grounding without hallucinations from training data.
Choose ChatGPT Projects if you need versatile AI capabilities including code generation, image analysis, plugins, or want the most widely-used AI assistant ecosystem.
NotebookLM and ChatGPT Projects take different approaches to AI-powered knowledge work. NotebookLM is laser-focused on document research with groundbreaking features like Audio Overview. ChatGPT Projects is a versatile workspace within the world's most popular AI assistant, excelling at everything from coding to image generation.
What is NotebookLM?
NotebookLM is Google's AI research assistant built on Gemini. Its core strength is turning your documents into an interactive knowledge base that only answers from your sources—no hallucinations. The killer feature is Audio Overview, which generates podcast-style discussions about your content.
Key characteristics:
Free with Google account
Audio Overview generates podcast-style summaries
Strict source grounding—only answers from your documents
Upload PDFs, Google Docs, web pages, YouTube videos
Powered by Google Gemini
What is ChatGPT Projects?
ChatGPT Projects is OpenAI's feature for organizing conversations and files around specific topics. Each project can have custom instructions, uploaded documents, and persistent context. It's part of the ChatGPT Plus ecosystem with access to GPT-4, code interpreter, DALL-E, and thousands of GPTs.
Key characteristics:
Requires ChatGPT Plus ($20/month)
Project-based organization with custom instructions
Full ChatGPT capabilities (code, images, plugins)
Access to GPT Store and custom GPTs
Available on web, iOS, Android, macOS
Feature Comparison
Feature
NotebookLM
ChatGPT Projects
Pricing
Free
$20/month
Audio Overview
✓ Podcast-style
✗
Source Grounding
✓ Strict
Partial
Code Generation
Basic
✓ Excellent
Image Generation
✗
✓ DALL-E
Plugin Ecosystem
✗
✓ GPT Store
Mobile Apps
Web only
✓ iOS, Android
Strict Source Grounding
NotebookLM's biggest advantage for research is its strict source grounding. Every response comes exclusively from your uploaded documents—no training data hallucinations. ChatGPT Projects uses your files but can supplement with its general knowledge, which is sometimes helpful but can introduce inaccuracies.
Versatility and Ecosystem
ChatGPT Projects wins on versatility. Code interpreter for data analysis, DALL-E for images, thousands of specialized GPTs, and the world's largest AI assistant user base. If you need AI for more than document research, ChatGPT Projects offers a complete toolkit.
Pricing Comparison
NotebookLM
Free (Google account)
✓ All features included
✓ Audio Overview
→ Pro tier for higher limits
ChatGPT Projects
$20/month (Plus)
✓ Full ChatGPT capabilities
✓ GPT-4, DALL-E, Code
→ GPT Store access
Who Should Use Each Tool?
Choose NotebookLM If You...
Want a completely free research tool
Love the Audio Overview podcast feature
Need strict source grounding (zero hallucinations)
Focus primarily on document research
Want simple, focused functionality
Prefer Google's ecosystem
Choose ChatGPT Projects If You...
Need versatile AI beyond document research
Want code generation and data analysis
Need image generation (DALL-E)
Value the GPT Store and custom GPTs
Want native mobile apps
Already subscribe to ChatGPT Plus
🧠 Before You Decide: Consider This Complement
While NotebookLM and ChatGPT Projects optimize how you launch apps, there's a gap neither fills: managing the knowledge you accumulate across all your tools.
Elephas takes a different approach — instead of launching apps, it creates an AI-powered "Super Brain" from your documents. Every answer cites YOUR files, not internet guesses. It's the perfect complement to whichever launcher you choose.
⚡
System-Wide Access
⌘+Space from any app to query your knowledge base.
📎
Cites Your Sources
Every answer links to the actual document. No hallucinations.
🔗
Syncs Your Apps
Connects to Notion, Obsidian, Apple Notes automatically.
Best for:Knowledge workers managing multiple projectsUsers who want AI that knows their context
Free. Audio Overview is unmatched. Strict source grounding. Best for focused document research.
WINNER FOR VERSATILITY
ChatGPT Projects
Most capable. Code, images, plugins. Largest ecosystem. Best for all-purpose AI needs.
For students and researchers focused on documents, NotebookLM is exceptional—and free. The Audio Overview feature alone makes dense material accessible in a way no other tool matches, and strict source grounding eliminates hallucination anxiety.
For users who need AI for diverse tasks, ChatGPT Projects offers unmatched versatility. Code interpreter, DALL-E, voice mode, and thousands of specialized GPTs create an ecosystem that handles almost any AI task imaginable.
The good news: these tools complement each other well. Use NotebookLM for dedicated research sessions, then bring insights to ChatGPT for broader analysis, content creation, or coding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NotebookLM better than ChatGPT Projects?
For document research and audio summaries, NotebookLM is better and free. For general AI tasks, code generation, and multimodal capabilities, ChatGPT Projects offers more versatility but requires a $20/month subscription.
Which tool has better source grounding?
NotebookLM strictly grounds all responses in your uploaded documents, eliminating hallucinations from training data. ChatGPT Projects uses your files but can also draw from its general knowledge.
Can I generate images with NotebookLM?
No, NotebookLM is focused on document research and doesn't include image generation. ChatGPT Projects includes DALL-E for creating images from text prompts.
Is ChatGPT Projects worth $20/month?
If you use AI for coding, image generation, or need the extensive GPT Store ecosystem, ChatGPT Plus is excellent value. If you only need document research, NotebookLM provides that for free.
