Added Nov 5, 2026
Open Notebook
FreeOpen-source, self-hosted research notebook with AI podcasts
What is Open Notebook?
Open Notebook is an MIT-licensed research and note-taking app that you run yourself, often described as an open alternative to NotebookLM. It is meant for students, researchers and professionals who want AI help without handing their notes to a big platform.
You add sources such as links, PDFs, text files, slide decks and YouTube videos, then use AI to summarize them, draw out insights and manage notes. A podcast generator turns your material into audio episodes with configurable voices and speakers.
You choose which AI models to connect and control what content they can see. The project is developed in the open on GitHub, with a Discord community for help and beta testing.
Features
- Multi-format source import
- AI summaries and insights
- Podcast generator
- Choice of AI models
- Privacy controls
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Releases
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Organization
Open Notebook contributors
Listed by kitio.ai · unverified owner
Pricing
- Pricing model
- Free
- Paid options from
- 100% free
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Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and MIT licensed
- Keeps data under your control
- Works with the models you pick
Cons
- You must install and host it yourself
- Model API costs are on you
- Smaller feature set than hosted rivals
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Q&A
What is Open Notebook?
Open Notebook is an MIT-licensed research and note-taking app that you run yourself, often described as an open alternative to NotebookLM. It is meant for students, researchers and professionals who want AI help without handing their notes to a big platform.
What kinds of sources can Open Notebook import?
It supports web links, PDFs, TXT files, PowerPoint decks and YouTube videos, among others.
How much does Open Notebook cost?
Open Notebook is 100% free.
Is there a free version of Open Notebook?
Yes. Open Notebook is completely free to use.
What are the main features of Open Notebook?
Multi-format source import, AI summaries and insights, Podcast generator, Choice of AI models, Privacy controls.
Who makes Open Notebook?
Open Notebook is made by Open Notebook contributors.
What are the best alternatives to Open Notebook?
Popular alternatives include Vane, Morphic, GPT Researcher.