Mentor vs NotebookLM: which one helps you study for an exam from your course files?
Google's NotebookLM (now Gemini Notebook) helps you understand the sources you upload: it answers from them, summarizes, and makes flashcards, quizzes, and Audio Overviews. Mentor builds a study plan and practice from your course material, checks your answers, and focuses the next practice on what you haven't mastered yet.
Last updated: October 2026
What is NotebookLM?
NotebookLM is Google's research and study assistant, and it answers only from the sources you add. Since July 2026 it is called Gemini Notebook. Google says it is the same product, and existing notebooks stay.
You can add PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown, CSV, ePub, images, audio files, Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets, web links, and public YouTube videos. Chat answers come with citations to your sources. The Studio panel makes Audio Overviews, Video Overviews, mind maps, reports (such as a study guide), flashcards, quizzes, slide decks, and infographics.
What is Mentor?
Mentor is a study app in Hebrew and English. You upload your course material and get a study plan and practice from that material.
Mentor checks your answers. The next practice focuses on what you haven't mastered yet. Your uploaded materials stay private to you and can't be used outside the app.
Comparison table: Mentor vs NotebookLM
| NotebookLM (Gemini Notebook) | Mentor | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Answers, summarizes, and makes study aids from your sources | Builds a study plan and practice from your course material |
| Separate courses | A separate notebook per topic, each with its own sources. Each notebook is independent and can't see the others | A separate course per subject, with its own materials, plans, practice, and chat. Switch courses in My courses |
| Personal progress per course | We found no per-notebook progress tracking on Google's official pages | Each course shows how many plan steps you've completed and which skills you've mastered, and the next practice adapts to your progress in that course |
| What you can upload | PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown, CSV, ePub, images, audio, Google Docs / Slides / Sheets, websites, YouTube | PDF, Word, PowerPoint, text, Markdown, audio and video (MP3, MP4, M4A, WAV, WebM), YouTube, website link. On your phone, also from your gallery or camera |
| Size limits | Up to 500,000 words or 200 MB per source. Up to 50 sources per notebook on the free plan | Up to 50 MB per file (24 MB for audio and video) |
| Chat about your material | Yes, with citations | Yes |
| Study plan | Not found on Google's official pages | Yes, from your material |
| Practice questions | Quizzes and flashcards, with a difficulty setting | Practice sets from your material |
| Checking and feedback | Results at the end of a quiz, an Explain button, and hints | Checks your answers |
| Going back over what you missed | Flashcards can be re-run with only the cards you missed | The next practice focuses on what you haven't mastered yet |
| Other formats | Audio Overview, Video Overview, mind maps, reports, slide decks, infographics | Focused on the plan and practice |
| Hebrew | 80+ output languages, Hebrew included | Hebrew and English |
| Price | Free version available. Paid tiers through Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra. Google's US page: Plus $4.99, Pro $19.99 a month | 30 days free, no credit card. Then Mentor Pro at ₪49.90 a month |
| Privacy | On a personal account, content isn't used for model training unless you send feedback | Materials stay private to you and can't be used outside the app |
In Mentor each course is managed separately, with its own materials and its own personal progress: you see what you've done and what you've mastered in each course.
Google prices checked on 12 Oct 2026 on the US plans page. The Israeli price was not shown on the page we checked.
When is NotebookLM the better fit?
NotebookLM fits when you need to understand a lot of sources quickly. Think of a long reading list, papers for a seminar paper, or several lectures you need to connect.
It also fits if you learn well by listening or from a big-picture view. Audio Overviews and mind maps give you that. If your files already live in Google Drive, you can import them directly.
When is Mentor the better fit?
Mentor fits when you have an exam and need to know what to practice and in what order. Upload your course slides, notes, or recordings and you get a plan and practice from them.
After each set, Mentor checks your answers. The next set focuses on what you haven't mastered yet, so you don't keep repeating what you already know. The app works in Hebrew, and you can practice in Hebrew or English.
Can I use both?
Yes. You can use one tool to understand the material and another to practice. For example, read and ask questions in NotebookLM, then upload the same files to Mentor and practice for the exam.
FAQ
What's the difference between Mentor and NotebookLM?
NotebookLM (now Gemini Notebook) answers questions from your sources, summarizes, and makes flashcards, quizzes, and Audio Overviews. Mentor builds a study plan and practice from your course material, checks your answers, and focuses the next practice on what you haven't mastered yet.
Does NotebookLM support Hebrew?
Yes. Google's help center lists 80+ output languages for NotebookLM, Hebrew included. Mentor works in Hebrew and English.
How much do NotebookLM and Mentor cost?
NotebookLM has a free version, with paid tiers through Google AI Plus, Pro, and Ultra. On Google's US page in October 2026, Plus is $4.99 and Pro is $19.99 a month. Mentor gives you 30 days free with no credit card, then Mentor Pro is ₪49.90 a month.
Are NotebookLM and Gemini Notebook the same thing?
Yes. Google says NotebookLM has been called Gemini Notebook since July 2026. It is the same product, and existing notebooks stay.
Does Mentor check my answers?
Yes. Mentor checks your answers, and the next practice focuses on what you haven't mastered yet.
Can I upload my lecturer's slides?
Yes. Mentor keeps your materials only with you, and they can't be used outside the app. Some institutions have their own AI rules, so check your course syllabus.
Do I need a credit card to try Mentor?
No. You get 30 days free with no credit card. You sign up before you upload material.
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