DeckEdit vs NoteSlide (Codia AI): Which NotebookLM Converter Should You Use?
DeckEdit is 100% free and preserves your original slide design exactly using local OCR — files never leave your device. NoteSlide (Codia AI) uses cloud AI to rebuild slides from scratch, altering layouts and fonts, with only 1 free conversion before requiring payment. Choose DeckEdit for design fidelity and privacy; choose NoteSlide if you want AI-reconstructed layouts.
The Fundamental Difference
DeckEdit and NoteSlide (by Codia AI) both convert NotebookLM slides to editable PowerPoint, but their approaches are fundamentally different. DeckEdit uses local OCR to preserve your original slide design exactly — every text element becomes an editable text box at the exact same position, with the original background preserved as an image layer. Your files never leave your device.
NoteSlide uses cloud-based AI Vision to analyze your slides and rebuild them from scratch. The output is an AI-reconstructed version of your slides — not a faithful copy. Layouts, fonts, and spacing may differ from the original. Files are uploaded to Codia AI's servers for processing. After 1 free conversion, a paid subscription is required.
How Each Tool Works
DeckEdit: Local OCR Preservation
DeckEdit runs a neural network OCR engine directly in your browser. It scans each slide, detects every text region, and reconstructs each as an editable PowerPoint text box at the original position. The slide background is preserved as an image layer. The result looks identical to your original — with every text element now editable. No upload, no account, no internet required after initial model download.
NoteSlide: Cloud AI Rebuild
NoteSlide uploads your PDF to Codia AI's cloud servers, where AI Vision analyzes the content and rebuilds the slides from scratch as new PowerPoint elements. This means the output is an AI interpretation of your slides — not a pixel-accurate copy. Text content is usually accurate, but layout, fonts, colors, and spacing may differ from the original. Requires an account and internet connection.
Output Fidelity: Preserved vs Rebuilt
DeckEdit preserves your original design exactly. The background graphics, icons, and layout remain pixel-identical because they are kept as image layers. Only the text is extracted and placed as editable text boxes on top. What you see in the output is exactly what your original NotebookLM slide looked like — with the added ability to edit every text element.
NoteSlide rebuilds your slides using AI, which means the output is an approximation. While text content is typically captured accurately, the visual presentation may change: different fonts, altered spacing, shifted element positions, and simplified graphics. For users who need their slides to look exactly like the originals, this can be a significant limitation.
Privacy Comparison
DeckEdit: Files are processed 100% locally in your browser. Zero network data transmission. No server logs. No data retention. Works offline. Your documents never leave your device under any circumstances.
NoteSlide: Your PDF is uploaded to Codia AI's cloud servers for AI Vision processing. Your slide content passes through third-party infrastructure. Subject to Codia AI's data handling and retention policies. Requires an active internet connection.