Perplexity vs Merlin AI
Perplexity and Merlin AI are popular 21e0365b-a144-4cb9-a69a-b856ca959d81 extensions with different strengths.
Merlin AI
4.8One AI assistant for summarising, writing and answering on any page.
Side-by-side comparison
| Perplexity | Merlin AI | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Reviews | 444 | 8,800 |
| Users | ~400K+ | ~900K+ |
| Pricing | Freemium · From $20/mo | Freemium · From $14.25/mo |
| Category | AI | AI |
| Developer | Perplexity AI | Foyer Labs |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 | 2026-07-05 |
| Best for | Researchers and analysts who need answers they can trace back to a source. | Generalists who want a single AI sidebar instead of five separate AI extensions. |
Perplexity features
- Cited answers
- Page summaries
- Follow-up questions
Merlin AI features
- Feature list coming soon.
Perplexity: pros & cons
- AI-powered features built in
- Easy to set up in seconds
- Regular updates and support
- Works with your existing workflow
- Some features require a paid plan
- Requests access to the sites you visit
- May slightly increase memory usage
Merlin AI: pros & cons
- AI-powered features built in
- Easy to set up in seconds
- Regular updates and support
- Works with your existing workflow
- Some features require a paid plan
- Requests access to the sites you visit
- May slightly increase memory usage
Final recommendation
Both Perplexity and Merlin AI have loyal users — try the free tier of each to see which fits your workflow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between Perplexity and Merlin AI?
Perplexity and Merlin AI overlap in the same job, but they optimise differently: one is tuned for speed and simplicity, the other for depth and control. The side-by-side table above shows the current ratings, install base, pricing and who each one is built for, all synced from the public Chrome Web Store listings.
Can I use Perplexity and Merlin AI together?
In most cases yes — Chrome runs extensions independently. Keep both only if they cover different needs, because each active extension adds memory use, page scripts and one more set of permissions to trust. If their features clearly duplicate, pick one and remove the other.
Is Perplexity or Merlin AI free?
Check the pricing row in the comparison table: it reflects the current model for each extension, whether that is free, freemium with paid limits, or paid only. Free tiers change often, so the store listing linked from each card is the source of truth.
Which one is safer to install?
Compare the permissions each one requests on its Chrome Web Store page and prefer the extension asking for less. Also look at the developer, the last update date and the review count — an actively maintained extension with a large install base and narrow permissions is the safer choice.
How often is this comparison updated?
Ratings, review counts and install numbers are refreshed nightly from the Chrome Web Store, and the editorial verdict is reviewed whenever either extension ships a significant change.
Keep researching
Alternatives, shortlists and other comparisons in the same category.