NotebookLM Tools: The FolderLM Alternative With More Than Folders

Short answer: If you installed FolderLM because you needed folders in NotebookLM, NotebookLM Tools covers the same folder use case (drag-and-drop folders, up to 50 per notebook) and adds saved prompts with slash commands, cross-notebook search, bulk source import, dark mode, notebook tagging, studio generation, and a language switcher. The base extension is free; an optional Pro license is available. Install the Chrome extension if you want to try it.

Why People Look for a FolderLM Alternative

FolderLM is a single-feature extension: it adds folders to NotebookLM's source panel. That's useful — NotebookLM's flat list gets awkward once a notebook has 30+ sources. Common follow-on needs people mention:

Reusing the same AI prompt across notebooks → saved prompts.
Adding 20 URLs without pasting them one by one → bulk import.
Finding a source across all notebooks → cross-notebook search.
Working on a dark-themed desktop → dark mode.

Each extra need usually means another extension. NotebookLM Tools bundles these into one so there's less to manage.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Capability	FolderLM	NotebookLM Tools
Source folders (drag-and-drop)	✅	✅ (up to 50 per notebook)
Saved AI prompts with /slash commands	Not documented	✅ (up to 100)
Cross-notebook search	Not documented	✅
Bulk URL / source import	Not documented	✅ (50+ URLs at once, ZIP support)
Studio generation (quizzes, flashcards, slides, reports, mind maps)	Not documented	✅
Source freshness sync (Google Drive)	Not documented	✅
Right-click context menu import	Not documented	✅ (7 actions)
Notebook tagging	Not documented	✅
Extension dark mode	Not documented	✅
Language switcher (69 UI / 80 output languages)	Not documented	✅
Podcast playlist + offline download	Not documented	✅
Backup and restore	Not documented	✅
Firefox support	Not documented on addons.mozilla.org	✅
Price	See listing	Free (optional Pro license $29/year)

Comparison reflects FolderLM's publicly documented features on its Chrome Web Store listing as of April 2026. "Not documented" means the capability is not described on the public listing — it does not necessarily mean the feature is absent. Check each extension's store listing for current details.

What You Gain By Switching

Prompts you don't have to retype

If you've ever opened three notebooks and typed "Summarize the main arguments across all sources as a bulleted list" into each one, saved prompts end that pattern. Save a prompt once, trigger it with /summary (or any slash command you pick) in any notebook. See the saved prompts guide.

Search across every notebook

NotebookLM's built-in search only looks inside the active notebook. NotebookLM Tools adds a single search bar that queries across every notebook you have — sources, notes, chats. When you vaguely remember seeing something but can't remember where, this is what you want.

Bulk import instead of one-at-a-time

Paste 50 URLs into the bulk import panel and the extension adds them in a single batch. Also handles ZIP files, YouTube playlists, RSS feeds, and all your open browser tabs in one action.

Studio generation without leaving the panel

Generate quizzes, flashcards, slides, reports, or mind maps directly from the extension. Pro users can run Quiz + Flashcards + Slides + Report simultaneously with one click.

Cross-browser, cross-device

NotebookLM Tools works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Arc, and Opera. A Pro license activates on up to 5 devices.

If You Only Want Folders

You can use NotebookLM Tools for just the folder feature if that's all you need. The default setup shows folders in the source panel; other features sit in the panel menu and can be turned off in settings if you prefer a minimal surface.

Migration Path

If you're already on FolderLM and want to switch, the migration is straightforward:

Install NotebookLM Tools from the Chrome Web Store.
Open any notebook — your existing sources appear in the source panel as usual.
Re-create any folders you had in FolderLM. NotebookLM Tools reads source data directly from NotebookLM, so existing sources are already there; only the folder grouping needs to be recreated.
Optional: uninstall FolderLM to avoid two extensions competing for the same panel.
Explore the extra features at your pace — features page has the full list.

Total migration time for a notebook with ~30 sources and 5 folders: under five minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NotebookLM Tools free?

The base extension is free: folders, saved prompts, cross-notebook search, bulk import, and studio generation all work without a license. An optional Pro license ($29/year or $59 lifetime) removes the upgrade banner, unlocks batch studio generation, adds 5-device activation, and funds ongoing development. See pricing.

Will my existing sources or notebooks be affected?

No. NotebookLM Tools reads from NotebookLM the same way any other extension does. It doesn't move, delete, or modify your notebooks — it just adds features on top.

Does it work with a Google Workspace account?

Yes. Anywhere Google NotebookLM works, the extension works — personal Gmail accounts, Workspace accounts, and accounts with multiple notebooks.

Can I run FolderLM and NotebookLM Tools at the same time?

Technically yes, but the two extensions will conflict on the folder UI. Pick one — running both often causes layout glitches.

Is it open source?

NotebookLM Tools is closed source, but privacy-respecting: the extension operates entirely in your browser and does not send your notebook content or source data to external servers. See privacy policy for details.

Wrap-up

If folders are your only requirement, NotebookLM Tools covers that. The additional features are available when you need them.

Install NotebookLM Tools. See the source folders feature or the full feature list.

Related articles:

How to Organize NotebookLM Sources with Folders — The folder feature in depth.
NotebookLM Saved Prompts and Slash Commands — The next feature most switchers use.
NotebookLM Tips #3: All the Ways to Import Sources — Bulk import workflows.

FolderLM is a trademark of its respective owner. NotebookLM Tools is not affiliated with or endorsed by FolderLM or Google. "NotebookLM" is a trademark of Google LLC.