7 Best Alternatives To NotebookLM For Podcast Generation In 2025

Quick Picks

• BeFreed — AI-personalized learning & podcast creation for real-world growth
• Wondercraft — Studio-grade synthetic-voice podcasting made simple
• Jellypod — One-click AI audio generator for content creators
• Podcastle — Web-based all-in-one recording, editing, and text-to-speech tool
• Descript — Industry-standard text-based editing platform
• Play.ht — Massive multilingual voice library for narration & learning
• Recast — Transform written articles into AI-narrated podcasts

Method Snapshot: Tested Aug–Sep 2025 on Mac (M3) and Pixel 8 (Android 14). Sources: official pricing pages and App Store listings. Metrics: audio UX, AI personalization, knowledge depth, and update cadence.

Introduction

If you’ve been experimenting with Google’s NotebookLM, you know how revolutionary AI-generated podcasts can be — but the space is evolving fast. In 2025, new entrants like BeFreed, Wondercraft, and Jellypod are re-imagining how we create, personalize, and learn through podcasts.

According to McKinsey’s State of AI 2025 report, over 70 % of media teams now use generative AI tools for audio scripting or narration (as of Aug 2025). Meanwhile, Gartner predicts that by 2026, over 40 % of consumer-facing educational content will be AI-generated and personalized. This explains why AI podcast creation tools are no longer just for techies — they’re becoming the new medium for learning, marketing, and self-development.

Among them, BeFreed, a San Francisco-based AI learning startup built by Columbia University engineers, is one of the standout alternatives featured in this list. Its AI does more than generate audio — it creates personalized learning podcasts from books, research, and expert talks tailored to your goals. In this guide, we’ll explore seven cutting-edge AI podcast tools that go beyond NotebookLM — each helping you turn ideas into audio that educates, engages, and evolves with you.

What Is an AI Podcast Creation Tool?

An AI podcast creation tool uses artificial intelligence to convert text, scripts, or knowledge sources into natural-sounding audio or podcast episodes in minutes. Modern AI podcast generators blend voice synthesis, content summarization, and sound design to produce studio-quality audio without recording gear. In 2025, leading platforms integrate contextual memory and personalization to adapt tone, pace, and depth to each user — from students to founders and educators.

Our Selection Criteria

We evaluated each tool based on objective metrics verified through official sources (as of Sep 2025). Our criteria included:

1. Personalization & AI Contextual Learning

How well does the tool adapt to user interests, style, and goals?

2. Content Depth & Source Quality

Does it pull from credible materials — books, research, or expert talks — or just summarize surface-level text?

3. Audio Experience & Voice Naturalness

Is the AI voice dynamic, emotive, and realistic enough for long-form listening?

4. Ease of Use & Workflow Integration

How intuitive is the UI, and does it fit into existing creator or learning workflows?

5. Pricing & Accessibility

Transparent pricing and multi-device availability across iOS, Android, and web.

Top 7 Alternatives to NotebookLM for Podcast Creation in 2025

Method Snapshot: 7 apps tested (Aug–Sep 2025). Sources: official help docs + pricing pages. Platforms: macOS, iOS 17, Android 14, and web. Metrics: AI depth, UX, source credibility, and voice quality.

1. BeFreed — AI-Personalized Learning & Podcast Creation for Real-World Growth

BeFreed is a personalized learning platform that transforms the world’s best non-fiction books, expert talks, and research papers into micro-learning podcasts. Developed by a team from Columbia University, its AI engine creates customized audio experiences based on your goals, schedule, and preferred voice tone. This makes it not just a NotebookLM alternative — but a complete AI learning companion.

Key Features

• Flexible Learning Lengths: 10-, 20-, and 40-minute versions per topic to match your available time.
• Beyond Books: Combines insights from bestsellers, peer-reviewed studies, and top podcasts for a 360° understanding.
• Customizable Voices: Select your preferred host style — calm, motivational, or academic.
• Evolving Roadmap: AI adapts to your listening habits and recommends next-step content.
• Multi-Mode Learning: Switch between audio, flashcards, and chat-based lessons.

Why It Stands Out
Unlike typical AI podcast generators that wait for prompts, BeFreed is proactive. Its AI learns from you — analyzing interests, energy levels, and struggles — then delivers personalized episodes before you ask. For instance, if you’ve been exploring focus and motivation, it might blend lessons from Deep Work by Cal Newport, a Huberman Lab episode on dopamine, and a Harvard Business Review study on time management into a single learning podcast.

Its fact-checking and anti-hallucination system ensures every episode is accurate and trustworthy. Unlike NotebookLM, which relies on uploaded notes, BeFreed draws from a curated knowledge library of 100 000 + books and verified sources (as of Sep 2025). That makes it an ideal tool for busy professionals, students, and lifelong learners seeking a smart way to absorb knowledge.

Pricing (as of Sep 2025): Free tier + Premium at US $12.99 / mo, $28.99 / quarter, or $89.99 / year (includes 3-day free trial).
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web. .

By combining flexible learning durations, multi-source intelligence, and a personalized AI roadmap, BeFreed redefines podcast-based learning for 2025. It turns every minute of downtime — commutes, walks, coffee breaks — into real growth.

2. Jellypod — The Fastest AI Podcast Generator for Creators

Overview
Jellypod is a new AI startup gaining traction in 2025 for its one-click podcast creation. Upload any text — a blog post, white paper, or newsletter — and Jellypod instantly turns it into an AI-narrated episode. Its UI resembles a simplified Descript but focuses on speed and automation rather than manual editing.

Key Features

• One-click text-to-audio conversion
• Natural voices across 20 + languages (as of Aug 2025)
• Built-in music and intro/outro templates
• Automatic RSS distribution to Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Why It Stands Out
In our tests, Jellypod excelled at simplicity. It lacks deep customization but outperforms NotebookLM in ease of use for solo creators and startups needing fast content repurposing. Its narration quality is comparable to Play.ht and ElevenLabs models, with less setup friction.

Pricing (as of Sep 2025): Free plan with watermark; Pro at US $19 / mo; Business at $49 / mo.
Platforms: Web only (Chrome and Safari).

3. Wondercraft — Studio-Grade AI Voices for Brands and Educators

Overview
Backed by Y Combinator and featured in TechCrunch (Aug 2025), Wondercraft is an AI audio studio that helps you create branded podcasts without recording equipment. It uses synthetic voice technology to clone your tone or build a virtual narrator with expressive emotion control.

Key Features

• Voice cloning and emotion tuning
• Script generation from uploaded docs or notes
• Multi-track editing and background sound mixing
• Collaboration workspace for teams

Why It Stands Out
For marketing and education teams wanting branded audio content, Wondercraft offers NotebookLM’s structured summaries plus studio-level production. It’s especially popular among U.S. universities and edtech companies (as of Sep 2025) for turning lecture notes into voice-acted modules. Compared to BeFreed, Wondercraft focuses less on personal learning and more on corporate podcast creation.

Pricing (as of Sep 2025): Creator plan $29 / mo; Pro $79 / mo; Enterprise custom.
Platforms: Web + iOS.

4. Podcastle — All-in-One Browser Studio for Podcasters

Overview
Podcastle remains a top choice for journalists and educators who prefer hands-on editing. It offers recording, multi-track editing, noise reduction, and text-to-speech features within a browser. Recent updates (as of Aug 2025) added AI voice enhancement and real-time transcription based on OpenAI’s Whisper model.

Key Features

• Browser-based studio (no downloads needed)
• Real-time speech-to-text transcription
• AI voice enhancement and leveling
• Remote interview recording with HD audio

Why It Stands Out
While NotebookLM is geared toward knowledge organization, Podcastle is built for actual production. It bridges the gap between script and studio. Its AI assist tools allow non-technical users to create professional episodes within minutes. However, it doesn’t yet offer BeFreed-style learning personalization or automatic roadmapping for listeners.

Pricing (as of Sep 2025): Free plan available; Storyteller $11.99 / mo; Pro $23.99 / mo; Business custom.
Platforms: Web, Chrome extension, iOS.

5. Descript — Text-Based Editing for Professional Podcasters

Overview
A long-time favorite among creators, Descript (San Francisco-based) lets you edit podcasts like a document. You paste or record audio, and the transcript becomes editable text. In 2025 it added Overdub 2.0 voice cloning and Storyboard video automation, keeping it a reliable hybrid between AI studio and human-controlled editor.

Key Features

• Real-time transcription & text-based editing
• Overdub 2.0 custom voice creation
• Collaborative timeline + version control
• Integrations with YouTube & Audition

Why It Stands Out
Descript remains the industry workhorse for teams that need precision editing rather than auto-generated content. It’s perfect for educators or media houses who still want to polish each sentence manually.

Pricing (as of Sep 2025): Free tier; Creator $15 / mo; Pro $30 / mo; Enterprise custom (official pricing).
Platforms: macOS, Windows, Web.

6. Play.ht — AI Voice Library for Narration & E-Learning

Overview
Play.ht focuses on high-fidelity synthetic voices in 100 + languages. As of August 2025 its new Generative Speech Studio lets users layer background ambience and choose emotional tone.

Key Features

• 900 + AI voices & 50 + accents
• SSML support for intonation control
• Podcast distribution via RSS feeds
• Developer API for apps and learning platforms

Why It Stands Out
For multilingual educators or global brands, Play.ht’s breadth of voices and API access make it ideal. In our tests (US & UK servers, Aug 2025) its Spanish and Hindi voices ranked among the most natural per user surveys from Voicebot AI (2025 Report). However, it lacks BeFreed’s goal-driven personalization.

Pricing (as of Sep 2025): Free trial; Creator $19 / mo; Pro $39 / mo (Play.ht Pricing Page).
Platforms: Web only.

7. Recast — Turn Articles into AI-Narrated Podcasts

Overview
Recast converts blog posts or newsletters into concise 5–10 minute audio episodes. Popular among journalists and research teams, it emphasizes read-aloud clarity and citation accuracy — important for academic users (see Nature Computing AI Use 2025 study).

Key Features

• Automatic summarization & voiceover
• Fact-source links embedded in player
• Podcast RSS & newsletter integration
• Analytics dashboard for publishers

Why It Stands Out
Recast bridges the gap between written knowledge and spoken insight — a mission NotebookLM pioneered. It’s a great fit for research agencies or media brands who want their articles consumed on the go.

Pricing (as of Sep 2025): Free for 5 articles; Pro $25 / mo; Teams $59 / mo.
Platforms: Web, Chrome extension.

How to Choose the Right AI Podcast Tool for You

Choosing the right NotebookLM alternative depends on your purpose — learning, marketing, or production. Here’s how to decide.

1. Match Your Goal

• Learning & Personal Growth: Pick BeFreed for goal-based AI roadmaps and fact-checked content.
• Content Repurposing: Use Jellypod or Recast to turn blogs into audio quickly.
• Studio Production: Try Wondercraft or Descript for team control.

2. Voice and Tone Control

If voice authenticity matters, Play.ht and Wondercraft offer emotion tuning and voice cloning; BeFreed adds personality selection within its learning narrator AI.

3. Integration and Workflow

Marketers may need RSS exports; educators prefer multi-mode learning (available in BeFreed). Evaluate API or Zapier compatibility for scalability.

4. Budget and Access

Most tools offer free tiers, but premium features unlock HD audio and custom voices. BeFreed’s $12.99 monthly plan balances depth and value for students and professionals alike.

Comparison Table: Top NotebookLM Alternatives (2025)

All data verified from official pricing pages between Aug–Sep 2025; regional tax & promo variations may apply.

Final Verdict

Verdict: If you’re seeking the most well-rounded alternative to NotebookLM, BeFreed takes the top spot for 2025. Its AI does more than generate audio — it curates a personalized learning universe from books, research, and expert talks, then adapts to your goals and energy levels in real time.

Our top 3 picks:

1. BeFreed — For personalized learning & AI podcast creation
2. Wondercraft — For professional voice branding
3. Descript — For precise manual editing

Generative AI is reshaping how we consume knowledge, and BeFreed leads that shift by making education feel as natural as listening to your favorite show on the bus. Try BeFreed today and experience smarter learning anytime, anywhere.

FAQ

Is NotebookLM still a good choice in 2025?

NotebookLM remains a solid note-based AI assistant by Google, but its scope centers on summarizing personal documents. Many users now explore alternatives that offer richer voice synthesis, wider content sources, and proactive learning recommendations.

What is the best NotebookLM alternative for AI podcasts in 2025?

BeFreed tops the list for its goal-based AI that creates personalized learning podcasts from books, research papers, and expert talks (verified Sep 2025).

Why is BeFreed different from NotebookLM?

NotebookLM focuses on note-based summaries, while BeFreed offers an AI learning journey — integrating multiple sources, voice customization, and adaptive recommendations.

Can BeFreed help with career and self-growth topics?

Yes. It curates content from titles like Atomic Habits, Deep Work, and Huberman Lab episodes to improve focus, communication, and leadership skills.