1. Gmail reverse conversation
The add-on reverse emails in conversation view.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Gmail reverse conversation is a solid alternative in the same category as Merlin AI.
Best Merlin AI Alternatives in 2026
Merlin AI is a strong option, but it is not the right fit for everyone. Below are 10 alternatives compared on rating, install base, pricing and the use case each one actually wins on.
About Merlin AI
Merlin adds a keyboard-triggered AI sidebar to every page. It can summarise the current article, answer questions about it, draft replies in Gmail and generate social posts, switching between several underlying models.
Comparison at a glance
| Extension | Rating | Users | Pricing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merlin AI (original) | 4.8 | 900K+ | Freemium | Generalists who want a single AI sidebar instead of five separate AI extensions. |
| Gmail reverse conversation | 4.4 | 300K+ | Free | The add-on reverse emails in conversation view. |
| WPS PDF - Read, Edit, Fill, Convert, and AI Chat PDF with Ease | 4.5 | 6M+ | Free | Users who need a free all-in-one PDF editor, converter and signer in the browser. |
| Monica AI | 4.9 | 3M+ | Freemium | People who want templates and translation alongside a general AI chat panel. |
| Linguix: Grammar Checker and AI Writing App | 4.5 | 20K+ | Freemium | Improve your writing and create compelling content with Linguix grammar checker & rewriter. |
| AIPRM for ChatGPT | 3.9 | 1M+ | Freemium | AIPRM is your cheat code for ChatGPT. Adds a list of curated prompt templates and advanced features. Try today. |
| Perplexity | 3.8 | 400K+ | Freemium | Researchers and analysts who need answers they can trace back to a source. |
| HARPA AI: Web Automation with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok | 4.7 | 300K+ | Freemium | Free AI sidebar with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & DeepSeek. 100+ commands to automate, monitor prices, summarize & write. |
| AI Sidebar with Deepseek, ChatGPT, Claude and more. | — | — | Free | Chat with Deepseek AI, ChatGPT, Claude, and more. Boost creativity and productivity using this powerful AI-powered browser tool. |
| ChatGPT Exporter - ChatGPT to PDF, MD, and more | 4.9 | 200K+ | Freemium | Download ChatGPT convos as PDF, Markdown, Text, etc. Download Chat GPT results to PDF. Easily convert ChatGPT to beautiful PDF. |
| NextAI Translator | — | — | Free | NextAI-Translator is a browser extension that uses the ChatGPT API for translation. |
Merlin AI alternatives in detail
View Extension
2. WPS PDF - Read, Edit, Fill, Convert, and AI Chat PDF with Ease
Easy-to-use PDF tools to view, edit, convert, fill, e-sign PDF files, and more in your browser.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: WPS PDF - Read, Edit, Fill, Convert, and AI Chat PDF with Ease is a solid alternative in the same category as Merlin AI.
3. Monica AI
AI copilot for chat, translation and writing on any site.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Monica AI is a solid alternative in the same category as Merlin AI.
4. Linguix: Grammar Checker and AI Writing App
Improve your writing and create compelling content with Linguix grammar checker & rewriter.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Linguix: Grammar Checker and AI Writing App is a solid alternative in the same category as Merlin AI.
5. AIPRM for ChatGPT
AIPRM is your cheat code for ChatGPT. Adds a list of curated prompt templates and advanced features. Try today.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Covers similar ground in the AI category: AIPRM is your cheat code for ChatGPT. Adds a list of curated prompt templates and advanced features. Try today.
6. Perplexity
Answer engine with cited sources built into the browser.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Covers similar ground in the AI category: Answer engine with cited sources built into the browser.
7. HARPA AI: Web Automation with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok
Free AI sidebar with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & DeepSeek. 100+ commands to automate, monitor prices, summarize & write.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Covers similar ground in the AI category: Free AI sidebar with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & DeepSeek. 100+ commands to automate, monitor prices, summarize & write.
8. AI Sidebar with Deepseek, ChatGPT, Claude and more.
Chat with Deepseek AI, ChatGPT, Claude, and more. Boost creativity and productivity using this powerful AI-powered browser tool.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Covers similar ground in the AI category: Chat with Deepseek AI, ChatGPT, Claude, and more. Boost creativity and productivity using this powerful AI-powered browser tool.
9. ChatGPT Exporter - ChatGPT to PDF, MD, and more
Download ChatGPT convos as PDF, Markdown, Text, etc. Download Chat GPT results to PDF. Easily convert ChatGPT to beautiful PDF.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Covers similar ground in the AI category: Download ChatGPT convos as PDF, Markdown, Text, etc. Download Chat GPT results to PDF. Easily convert ChatGPT to beautiful PDF.
10. NextAI Translator
NextAI-Translator is a browser extension that uses the ChatGPT API for translation.
Why it replaces Merlin AI: Covers similar ground in the AI category: NextAI-Translator is a browser extension that uses the ChatGPT API for translation.
Compare Merlin AI head-to-head
Direct comparisons with the extensions people weigh against it.
Monica vs Merlin AITwo all-in-one AI sidebars compared on model access, free quota and page context.Merlin AI vs PerplexityBoth are ai extensions people shortlist together for ai — see how ratings, install base, pricing and day-to-day use differ.All comparisonsThe full compare hub, grouped by category.
Explore further
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Merlin AI?
Gmail reverse conversation is the closest match. Gmail reverse conversation is a solid alternative in the same category as Merlin AI.
Is there a free alternative to Merlin AI?
Yes — Gmail reverse conversation, WPS PDF - Read, Edit, Fill, Convert, and AI Chat PDF with Ease, AI Sidebar with Deepseek, ChatGPT, Claude and more. are free.