Marbles and Granola briefs: what each one remembers
The short answer. Granola's briefs cover what the meeting is about. Marbles covers who the person is, across every meeting you've had with them. Marbles runs on top of Granola Business or Enterprise, so you keep Granola briefs too.
Side by side
Last checked: October 30, 2026.
| Topic | Granola briefs | Marbles |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | The meeting: the company, prior notes, and calendar details | The person: family, hobbies, life events, work, how they think |
| Where it shows | 2 to 3 bullets at the top of the chat panel in the meeting's note | A Mac notification that opens one screen, 10 minutes ahead by default (adjustable from 5 to 120) |
| Sources | Prior Granola notes with the same people or company, shared workspace notes, the web including LinkedIn, calendar, optional Gmail | Your Granola meetings with that person, sorted into 16 categories |
| When it's made | Overnight | Before each meeting with someone you've met |
| Sensitive details | No separate section documented | "Handle with care" section, never suggested as an opener |
| Meetings covered | External meetings only | Meetings with people you've met |
| Review | Every fact cited | Sure facts save; the rest go to a quick review, each linked to its meeting |
| Platforms | Mac, Windows, iPhone | Apple silicon Mac only |
| Plan needed | Granola Business ($14/user/mo) or Enterprise | Granola Business or Enterprise, plus Marbles ($12/mo or $96/yr. Founding: $6/mo for 12 months. 14-day trial.) |
What Marbles adds
- An opener. "How was Maya's first week of kindergarten?" comes from something they told you months ago, not from the web.
- A memory that builds. Each fact is linked to the meeting it came from.
- A safe zone. Things like "asked to keep the job search quiet" sit under Handle with care and are never suggested as openers.
What Marbles leaves out
Deal terms, pricing, project tasks, action items, and your own to-dos. Granola and your CRM keep those.
Before you meet
Dana Reyes
Someone you've met · 10 minutes ahead by default
What to open with
How was Maya’s first week of kindergarten?
Q3 planning
Still set on the Chicago run in October?
Last check-in
Worth remembering
Maya starts kindergarten Monday.
Dana, on a Q3 planning call
They closed on the cabin.
Five minutes before the agenda
Handle with care
Kept separate. Never suggested as an opener.
Asked to keep the job search quiet for now.
End of a check-in
Example. A Marbles brief with What to open with, Worth remembering, and Handle with care.
Best fit and not the best fit
Marbles is the best fit if you already pay for Granola Business, use an Apple silicon Mac, and meet the same people more than once.
Granola briefs alone may be enough if you mostly meet people once, need briefs on Windows or iPhone, or only want meeting context, not personal details.
More on the setup: a personal memory for Granola and remembering personal details before you meet. Pricing. Dex. HelmIQ. Home.
Granola is a trademark of its owner. Marbles is not affiliated with or endorsed by Granola.
FAQ
Doesn't Granola already do briefs?
Yes. Granola's briefs cover what the meeting is about. Marbles covers who the person is, across every meeting you've had with them.
Do I need Granola to use Marbles?
Yes, on a Business or Enterprise plan. Marbles uses Granola's API. Other Granola plans, including Basic, can't use it. On Enterprise, an admin has to turn on API access.
Can I use both?
Yes. Marbles reads your Granola meetings.
Does Marbles work on Windows or iPhone?
No. Marbles runs on Apple silicon Macs on macOS 15 or later. Granola briefs work on Mac, Windows, and iPhone.
Does Marbles save deal terms?
No. It leaves out deal terms, pricing, tasks, and your own to-dos.
Requires an Apple silicon Mac on macOS 15 or later.