AI tools are evolving fast, and Google’s NotebookLM is quickly becoming a favorite. Unlike ChatGPT that answers broadly, NotebookLM is trained on your own files—making it more like a personal subject expert.
But here’s the question many Malaysian businesses ask: “Is the free plan enough, or do we really need to pay?”
Let’s break down the latest 2025 pricing, compare free vs. paid, and see which plan makes sense for SMEs and individuals.
NotebookLM: More Than Notes, It’s Your AI Assistant
NotebookLM isn’t just another app. It’s an AI research and writing partner that works directly with the content you upload—whether that’s PDFs, Google Docs, website links, YouTube transcripts, or plain text.
With it, you can:
- Summarise documents instantly – no more reading hundreds of pages.
- Create study or work guides – simplify reports, case studies, or training material.
- Answer with references – every response comes with citations from your own files.
- Audio and video summaries – get quick voice recaps or slide-style video overviews.
In short, NotebookLM helps you learn faster and work smarter with your own data.
Free vs. Paid: Which Fits You?
NotebookLM has a free plan that works well for light usage. For students, freelancers, or staff managing a few documents, this plan can already deliver huge value.
But if you handle large volumes of files, multiple reports, or team-wide projects, the paid plans provide bigger limits, access to stronger AI models, and collaboration features.
Typical usage examples in Malaysia:
- Free Plan fits → Students, interns, SME employees doing occasional research.
- Paid Plan fits → Market analysts, academic researchers, and businesses building AI-assisted knowledge bases.
How NotebookLM Is Packaged (Malaysia Perspective)
Google doesn’t sell NotebookLM as a single app. Instead, it’s included in other Google subscriptions:
1. Google One (For Individuals)
- NotebookLM is bundled with AI Pro and AI Ultra plans.
- Includes bigger storage (2TB+), Gemini apps, and boosted NotebookLM limits.
- Ideal for individuals or freelancers who want both storage and AI tools in one plan.
2. Google Workspace (For SMEs)
- Starting from RM60+/user/month, NotebookLM Plus comes included.
- Fits businesses already using Gmail, Docs, Meet, and Drive.
- Helps SMEs integrate NotebookLM without extra setup—everything runs under one familiar Workspace account.
For more information about NotebookLM for enterprise.
3. Google Cloud (For Enterprises)
- Separate Enterprise license at around USD9/user/month.
- Adds advanced security (IAM, VPC-SC) and 5x more capacity.
- Suited for corporates or institutions that require compliance-ready deployment.
NotebookLM Pricing Snapshot (Malaysia Reference)
| User Type | Subscription Path | Starting Price | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individuals | Google One | RM70+/month* | 2TB storage, Gemini apps, NotebookLM Pro |
| SMEs | Google Workspace | RM60+/user/month* | Gmail, Docs, Meet, NotebookLM Plus |
| Enterprises | Google Cloud | ~RM40+/user/month* | NotebookLM Enterprise with advanced security |
*Annual commitment usually gives the lowest price.
*Learn more about google workspace pricing from the official docs.
BigBull’s Take: Start Free, Scale When Ready
For most Malaysians testing AI, the free plan is already very strong. It gives you enough room to try, learn, and get value.
When you start hitting limits—too many documents, not enough storage, or need for team sharing—that’s the time to upgrade.
At BigBull Technology, we help SMEs in Malaysia choose the right plan, set up billing in Ringgit, and provide local support. Backed by Elite Cloud’s technical expertise, we make sure your AI adoption is smooth, affordable, and future-proof.
👉 Ready to try NotebookLM for your business? Contact BigBull Technology and let us help you unlock smarter research without overspending.
