A Notion AI alternative for your documents
Ask questions across your PDFs, slides, and synced files and get answers cited to the page, without moving everything into Notion or upgrading to a Business plan.
Silas vs. Notion AI
| Feature | Silas | Notion AI |
|---|---|---|
| Plan needed for full AI | Every model from Student at $10/month | Business plan at $20 per member per month |
| Where your files live | Upload or sync them; no need to move your notes | Inside your Notion workspace |
| PDF size | Long PDFs and textbooks, scanned pages included | Up to 20MB per file on Business (5MB on Free and Plus) |
| Citations | Exact file, page, and section on every answer | Cites sources in Enterprise Search |
| Connected apps | Google Drive, Microsoft 365, and Canvas LMS | Slack, Google Drive, Teams, Jira, GitHub, and more |
| Study tools | Flashcards, quizzes, and LaTeX from your files | Workspace writing and agents |
Notion AI details are based on Notion's public documentation as of October 2026 and may change.
When Silas is the better fit
Notion AI shines when your team already writes everything in Notion. Most reading material does not live there: it arrives as PDFs, slide decks, and files in Google Drive, OneDrive, or Canvas. Silas works with those directly and cites the page behind every answer.
It is also priced for individuals. A student gets every model and file sync for $10/month. See how to chat with a PDF or get answers with citations.
Frequently asked questions
Why look for a Notion AI alternative?
Full Notion AI now comes with the Business plan, and it works best on content that already lives in Notion. If your material is PDFs, slides, and course files, or you are a student on your own, Silas is a lighter and cheaper way to ask questions about it.
Do I have to stop using Notion?
No. Keep Notion for notes and planning. Silas handles the reading: ask across your PDFs, papers, and synced files, and copy cited answers back into your notes.
Which AI models does Silas use?
Claude, Gemini, and GPT. You choose per message and can switch mid-conversation.
Can Silas read large PDFs?
Yes. Silas indexes entire textbooks and long reports, including scanned pages, and answers with citations to the exact page.
Is there a team option?
Yes. Enterprise adds SSO, organization-wide knowledge, and audit logging. Individuals can start free or on the Student or Pro plans.