NotebookLM, built by Google, turns your documents into smart, searchable notes using AI. Glean focuses on enterprise search, connecting your apps and files so you can find information across your company faster.

While both of these enterprise collaboration software address specific needs in knowledge management and productivity, they come with limitations. NotebookLM focuses on individual document analysis within Google Workspace, but doesn’t work well with other apps or tools. Glean is good at enterprise-wide search but may not meet the needs of modern teams looking for conversational AI-driven collaboration.

In this article, we’ll look at the features of both tools, compare them, and help you decide which one is best for you.

NotebookLM vs. Glean vs. Tanka for enterprise search

NotebookLM and Glean offer unique approaches to knowledge management and team collaboration, but they serve different needs and audiences. Here’s how they compare in terms of features, market presence, usage, and design focus.

What is NotebookLM?

NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and note-taking tool developed by Google. Launched in 2023 (originally as Project Tailwind), it’s now available globally to millions of users, including researchers, students, and professionals who need to organize and analyze large volumes of information

Key features of NotebookLM:

• Document import: Supports a wide range of sources, including Google Drive (Docs, Slides, Sheets), PDFs, text files, large documents, web URLs, YouTube videos, and audio files (with transcription).
• Content creation and summarization: Generates timelines, FAQs, summaries, study guides, and audio discussions from uploaded materials; refines writing and provides citations.
• Interactive collaboration: Answers questions, suggests improvements, and enables team sharing with shared notebooks and usage analytics.
• Audio overviews: Condenses complex documents into podcast-style audio files.
• Advanced note-taking: Pins AI-generated insights, saves key quotations, and merges notes into summaries.

Where and how it’s used:

NotebookLM is used by individuals and organizations worldwide, especially in education and research. In late 2024, Google introduced NotebookLM Business for enterprises, adding features like improved security, team notebooks, and higher usage limits. It’s available via Google Workspace, Google Cloud, and the Google One AI Premium subscription, which includes compliance measures.

Related: Enterprise AI Chatbot: A No-Deployment Solution

What is Glean?

Glean is an enterprise search and knowledge management platform that uses AI to help teams find and organize information across company tools like Google Drive, Slack, and Confluence. It’s designed for businesses that need to centralize and retrieve knowledge from multiple sources.

Key features of Glean:

• Enterprise data integration: Connects and indexes both structured and unstructured data from a wide range of business tools.
• AI-powered search: Uses deep learning and vector search for semantic understanding.
• Personalized AI answers: Generates responses based on company knowledge and internet data, tailored to the user’s context.
• Content recommendations: Suggests relevant files, mentions, and trending content to keep teams informed.
• Knowledge management: Captures and updates FAQs, making it easier to onboard new team members and retain institutional knowledge.
• Data security: Prevent accidental exposure of sensitive information.
• Custom AI agents: Allows businesses to build and deploy custom generative AI apps and agents grounded in enterprise data.

Where and how it’s used:

Glean is primarily used by medium to large enterprises that need to manage and search across vast internal knowledge bases. It’s especially valuable for organizations with complex data environments and a need for secure, permission-aware AI solutions.

Dig deeper: Glean Competitors: Best AI Knowledge Tools 2025

What is Tanka?

Tanka is an AI-powered business messenger designed to make team communication and knowledge management easier. Tanka’s long-term AI memory feature helps its AI assistant remember context, keep itself updated, and make communication and collaboration faster and easier. It integrates with popular note-taking apps and other business communication tools.

Key features of Tanka:

• AI-powered messaging: Remembers past conversations and business context so you don’t have to repeat instructions.
• Smart reply: Instantly suggests context-aware responses for messages and emails.
• Memory and AI knowledge management: Organizes data into structured insights, turning chats into a searchable knowledge base.
• Task automation: Summarizes messages, creates action items, analyzes documents, and translates conversations for global teams.
• Project and client tracking: Saves updates, notes, and training materials for easy reference.
• Data security: Uses encryption and strict access controls to protect information.
• Team Wiki: Lets you organize and customize a shared knowledge base by team, project, or department. Each team member’s AI assistant can learn from the Team Wiki and generate responses based on shared knowledge.
• Co-memory: Allows teams to upload project documentation and key resources to a shared memory space, making information accessible and context-aware for everyone.

Where and how it’s used:

Tanka is a great tool for startups and fast-growing businesses, especially those in SaaS, tech, and e-commerce, Edtech, marketing, and other areas. It’s ideal for remote or hybrid teams that need to keep communication organized, avoid repetitive tasks, and ensure everyone stays aligned. Tanka works across desktop and mobile, it integrates with tools like Slack, WhatsApp, Gmail, and Outlook.

Read also: AI Executive Assistant: Top Tips for 2025

NotebookLM vs. Glean vs. Tanka: comparison table

Which AI assistant is right for you?

Each of these tools brings something different to the table. But choosing the right AI assistant depends on your team’s needs and how you work. NotebookLM is a game changer for researchers, students, and professionals who need AI capabilities for organizing and summarizing complex texts. Glean is optimized for big companies looking to make it easier to find information across different tools your team uses.

Tanka focuses on improving team communication by providing AI-powered memory, smart replies, and workflow automation. Tanka is especially useful for startups and fast-moving businesses that want to keep everyone aligned and make better use of their collective knowledge.

Upgrade your team’s workflow with Tanka’s intelligent knowledge hub. Get early access today.