Merlin AI vs Perplexity
Merlin AI and Perplexity are often considered for the same job. The table below compares their Chrome Web Store ratings, install base, pricing and who each one suits.
Merlin AI
4.8One AI assistant for summarising, writing and answering on any page.
Side-by-side comparison
| Merlin AI | Perplexity | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Reviews | 8,800 | 444 |
| Users | ~900K+ | ~400K+ |
| Pricing | Freemium · From $14.25/mo | Freemium · From $20/mo |
| Category | AI | AI |
| Developer | Foyer Labs | Perplexity AI |
| Last updated | 2026-07-05 | 2026-07-08 |
| Best for | Generalists who want a single AI sidebar instead of five separate AI extensions. | Researchers and analysts who need answers they can trace back to a source. |
Merlin AI features
- See the full Merlin AI page for its store description.
Perplexity features
- Cited answers
- Page summaries
- Follow-up questions
Final recommendation
Both extensions do a similar job. Start with the one whose pricing and "best for" row above match how you work, and check the permissions each one asks for on its store page before installing.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install Merlin AI and Perplexity at the same time?
Yes, Chrome runs them independently. Keep both only if they do different jobs; if they overlap, pick one, because each active extension adds memory use, page scripts and another set of permissions.
Where do the ratings and install numbers come from?
From each extension's public Chrome Web Store listing. They can lag the live store slightly, and a dash means the figures have not been synced yet.
Keep researching
Alternatives, shortlists and other comparisons in the same category.