Microsoft Copilot vs NotebookLM: which one to choose in 2026?

Community ratings, features, pricing and free plans: the complete head-to-head between Microsoft Copilot and NotebookLM to find the right tool for your needs.

Screenshot of Microsoft Copilot
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Microsoft Copilot

4.6 (112)

Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant integrated with Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and more. It enhances productivity by helping users create, edit, and analyze content, automate tasks, and generate insights based on data, all within familiar tools.

Content GeneratorBlog WritingCopywritingEssay WritingSummarizerParaphrasingEmail WritingCreative WritingPresentation GeneratorSpreadsheetMeeting AssistantTask ManagementProject ManagementNotes AssistantWorkflow ManagementResearch ToolAnalytics AssistantChatbot
View detailsOfficial site
Screenshot of NotebookLM
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NotebookLM

4.7 (231)

NotebookLM, Google's research assistant, reasons exclusively over the documents you feed it: PDFs, websites, YouTube videos or personal notes. It turns them into reliable, cited summaries and can even transform your sources into an audio podcast where two voices discuss the content — a feature that has achieved cult status. Powered by Gemini 3, it also generates video overviews and Deep Research reports.

Research ToolSummarizer
View detailsOfficial site

Comparison table

CriterionMicrosoft CopilotNotebookLM
Average rating4.64.7
Number of reviews112231
Free planNoYes
PlansCopilot Pro, Microsoft 365 CopilotFree, Plus, Pro
CategoriesContent Generator, Blog Writing, Copywriting, Essay Writing, Summarizer, Paraphrasing, Email Writing, Creative Writing, Presentation Generator, Spreadsheet, Meeting Assistant, Task Management, Project Management, Notes Assistant, Workflow Management, Research Tool, Analytics Assistant, ChatbotResearch Tool, Summarizer
Last updatedOctober 1, 2024July 8, 2026

See all tools in these categories: Summarizer, Research Tool

Our verdict

Microsoft Copilot or NotebookLM?

Microsoft Copilot (4.6/5) and NotebookLM (4.7/5) earn very similar ratings from our community: the choice mostly comes down to your use case.

Budget-wise, NotebookLM offers a free plan to get started, while Microsoft Copilot does not appear to offer one.

Microsoft Copilot also covers Content Generator, Blog Writing, Copywriting, Essay Writing, Paraphrasing, Email Writing, Creative Writing, Presentation Generator, Spreadsheet, Meeting Assistant, Task Management, Project Management, Notes Assistant, Workflow Management, Analytics Assistant and Chatbot, ground that NotebookLM does not directly address.

Features head to head

Microsoft Copilot

  • Generative AI for content creation in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
  • Data analysis and visualization in Excel
  • Automated task management in Microsoft Teams
  • Business Chat for quick access to data across applications
  • Real-time security, privacy, and compliance features

NotebookLM

  • Answers grounded solely in your own sources
  • Precise citations linking back to the original passages
  • Audio Overviews: your documents turned into a podcast
  • Video Overviews: your sources summarized as short animated videos
  • Deep Research: cited reports built from web research
  • Import PDFs, websites, YouTube videos and Google Docs
  • Auto-generated study guides, mind maps, timelines and FAQs

Pricing compared

Microsoft Copilot

Copilot Pro

  • Faster responses during peak times
  • Available in Microsoft 365 apps
  • Enhanced AI image creation

Microsoft 365 Copilot

  • Integration with Teams, Word, Excel, Outlook, and more
  • Business Chat for organizational insights
  • Enterprise-grade security, privacy, and compliance

NotebookLM

Free

  • Up to 100 notebooks
  • 50 sources per notebook
  • Audio and Video Overviews included (daily quotas)

Plus

  • Included in Google AI Plus (around €8 per month)
  • 200 notebooks and 100 sources per notebook
  • Double the Audio Overview quotas

Pro

  • Included in Google AI Pro (around €21.99 per month)
  • 500 notebooks and 300 sources per notebook
  • Advanced customization and sharing features

Prices are indicative and may change — check the official sites for up-to-date pricing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Microsoft Copilot and NotebookLM?

Both tools share the Summarizer and Research Tool space, but Microsoft Copilot also covers Content Generator, Blog Writing, Copywriting, Essay Writing, Paraphrasing, Email Writing, Creative Writing, Presentation Generator, Spreadsheet, Meeting Assistant, Task Management, Project Management, Notes Assistant, Workflow Management, Analytics Assistant and Chatbot.

Microsoft Copilot or NotebookLM: which one is rated higher?

The two tools are neck and neck: Microsoft Copilot shows 4.6/5 (112 reviews) and NotebookLM 4.7/5 (231 reviews).

Can you use Microsoft Copilot or NotebookLM for free?

Microsoft Copilot does not offer a free plan as far as we know, and NotebookLM offers a free plan.

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