Merlin AI Chat Review 2025:
I Tried it for 14 days, Here's
What I Found [3 Pros, 5 Cons]

• Merlin AI Chat Review Summary
• 3 Things Merlin AI Chat Does Well
• 5 Big Mistakes Merlin AI Chat Makes
• What Does Merlin AI Chat Cost?
• What are Some Merlin AI Chat Alternatives?
• Is Merlin AI Chat Legit? - The Final Verdict

Merlin AI Chat Review Summary

3 Things Merlin AI Chat Does Well

• Access to Different AI Models: You can use Merlin to try out a bunch of popular AI models without jumping through hoops, so if you don’t like one answer, you just try another.
 
• Browser Extension Use: It lets you use Merlin right in your browser, so you don’t have to visit a new website all the time, which can save you some clicks when you’re working.
 
• Free Questions for Starters: Merlin starts you off with 50 free questions, which is nice if you just want to see what the tool can do without signing up or paying right away.
 
• More on the highlights of Merlin AI Chat below.

5 Big Mistakes Merlin AI Chat Makes

• Terrible Customer Support with Refund Issues: If you try to cancel or get a refund from Merlin, get ready for a headache. They make it really tough to get your money back or cancel, and you’ll feel totally ignored by their support team.
 
• Expensive Subscription and Vanishing Credits: You have to pay for a pricey subscription every month, but what’s worse is your unused credits just vanish. You don’t get to keep your leftover credits, so you pay a lot for nothing.
 
• Bloated Features Make It Confusing: Merlin used to be easy to use, but now there are too many features crammed in. It just feels overwhelming, and you'll end up wasting time trying to figure out stuff you don't even need.
 
• Summaries Sometimes Miss the Important Stuff: When you use Merlin to summarize articles or videos, don’t be shocked if it leaves out some major points. You won’t always get the full story, which kind of ruins the whole purpose.
 
• Free Plan is Super Limited: If you’re hoping to use Merlin for free, be prepared for big restrictions. The free plan cuts you off with low credit limits and you can barely do anything useful without paying up.
 

What Does Merlin AI Chat Cost?

• Free Plan – So, this one’s totally free at $0 for a whole year, which is pretty cool to start with. But you only get limited access to basic and Plus models, and things like image generation and Chrome extension features are pretty restricted. If you just want to try Merlin, this is okay, but you’ll probably outgrow it fast.
 
• Pro Plan – For $29 a month, billed $228 for a year, you get unlimited access to basic models and 50x usage on Plus-level models. There are some fancy perks like advanced image generation and fast support, plus all 70+ tools. Honestly, $29 a month isn’t cheap, especially when you can still hit “fair use” limits if you go overboard.
 
• Teams Plan – This one is $19 per seat per month, billed as $180 a year, but you need at least 5 people. You get everything in Pro, plus some cool extras like a bigger context window, usage dashboard, better security, and team management. But honestly, it only makes sense if you’ve got a group, since solo users can’t grab it, and the price adds up quick if you have a big team.
 
• So should you buy Merlin AI Chat? If you need more than just basic stuff and you’re okay with the limited credits and higher price, maybe. But honestly, no, since lots of stuff is limited or can get pricey fast, and credits or access can disappear if you don’t use them.

Merlin AI Chat Review - What Does it Get Right?

1. Access to different AI models:
   • You get to pick from several well-known AI models, so you aren’t stuck with just one kind of answer.
    
   • Folks like being able to run the same question through different models and see what each one comes up with.
    
   • This is handy if you want more than one view or are still learning how to use these tools best.
 
2. Browser extension use:
   • You can open Merlin right inside your browser, next to whatever page you’re on, so it saves you a step.
    
   • People use it to ask questions, summarize stuff, or even pull info from the page they're reading.
    
   • The popup feels simple, but sometimes it can get in the way or overlap other stuff on your screen.
 
3. Free questions for starters:
   • You get to try Merlin with 50 free questions, so there’s no rush to pay or sign up for extra features right away.
    
   • This is enough to figure out if Merlin answers your questions the way you need without much risk.
    
   • A lot of people use the free trial period to just test the AI for fun or quick research, then decide later if it helps their work.

“What do you like best about Merlin? Free for first 50 questions. Popup in the website. What do you dislike about Merlin? "Open chat in tab" should be contained in the web. What problems is Merlin solving and how is that benefiting you? Help me easily find the answer for my question when surfing.” ― Grace D.

Merlin AI Chat Review - What Does It Get Seriously Wrong?

• Terrible Customer Support with Refund Issues:
  • If you run into trouble or want your money back, good luck—it feels like Merlin just ignores you. I've waited weeks for any answer, it’s like talking to a wall.
   
  • The refund process is super confusing, and you have to jump through hoops. Most folks just give up because support never helps you out or explains anything clearly.
   
  • Honestly, if you get stuck or want to cancel, customer support leaves you hanging. They don’t make it easy and it’s really frustrating when you just want a straight answer.
 
• Expensive Subscription and Vanishing Credits:
  • You have to pay a lot just to use Merlin every month, and there’s no way to roll over your unused credits. So when you don’t use up your credits, they’re gone for good.
   
  • Even after you pay, you can't just build up credits—they disappear each month. The subscription feels really unfair if you accidentally miss a few days or get busy.
   
  • From my experience, the cost stacks up fast, and if you aren’t using Merlin all the time, it’s like throwing your money away for nothing extra.
 
Here's a review by Alejandro G. about Merlin:
 

“Useful before it got bloated. It has a lot of functionalities, it has connections with all the major LLMs and integrations with almost every service you could think of. However, Merlin used to be easy and practical, now it just feels overwhelming and bloated, which leads it to be expensive because of all the services offered it's no longer possible to really try before you commit. Having an auto response feature to streamline my marketing efforts.” ― Alejandro G. CEO & Founder (Small-Business, 50 or fewer employees)

 
• Bloated Features Make It Confusing:
  • Merlin started off simple, but now it just throws way too much at you. There’s so many tools jammed in that it’s easy to get lost or waste time figuring things out.
   
  • From what I’ve seen, all the features make stuff way more complicated. People new to AI tools feel totally overwhelmed, and honestly, so do I at times.
   
  • Instead of focusing on the useful stuff, you’re stuck clicking around and trying things you’ll never use. It stops being helpful and just drives you nuts.
 
• Summaries Sometimes Miss the Important Stuff:
  • When you ask Merlin to summarize, it can skip over really crucial points. I’ve had it totally leave out the stuff I cared about, which makes you question if you can trust it.
   
  • This is a big deal when you count on it to save time. If you’re missing main ideas, you have to go back anyway, so what’s even the point?
   
  • Other users also feel let down because sometimes you need to double-check everything to make sure nothing important’s lost, which means more work for you in the end.
 
• Free Plan is Super Limited:
  • If you think you can get by with Merlin’s free plan, just know the limits are rough. You barely get enough credits to try anything out before you’re forced to pay.
   
  • From what I've tested, the free plan cuts you off real fast, and you can’t really explore all the features or see if Merlin fits your needs.
   
  • If you want anything close to full functionality, you hit a paywall almost right away, which is just super annoying.
 
Here's a review by a Verified User in Information Technology and Services about their experience with the Merlin AI Chrome Extension:
 

“Having used the Merlin AI Chrome extension for a few weeks now, I've found it to be a mixed bag of features. On one hand, the ability to quickly summarize articles, videos, and other content is genuinely helpful, especially when I'm short on time. The integration with platforms like Gmail and LinkedIn is smooth, and the tool works in multiple languages, which is a plus for non-English speakers. However, there were a few areas where I felt the extension could improve. The user interface, while intuitive for the most part, had moments where it felt a bit clunky. I also noticed that while the summaries were accurate for most content, there were instances where the summaries missed out on key points. Merlin AI addresses the challenge of information overload by swiftly summarizing vast amounts of content. Additionally, its integration with platforms like Gmail and LinkedIn enhances my communication efficiency. This saves me time and ensures I grasp essential information promptly.” ― Verified User in Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

What Does Merlin AI Chat Cost?

• Look, you can sign up and try Merlin AI Chat for free, but you only get to use the basic models and a tiny bite of the fancy ones.
 
• You’re super limited—just a few messages per day on most top models, and the good stuff like GPT‑5 is basically out of reach unless you pay up.
 
• Most cool features in Merlin—like advanced image gen, deep research, or team sharing—are locked down tight on this plan. It’s mostly good for getting a quick taste, but not enough to actually get anything major done.
 
• Honestly, it's more like a demo to get you to pay for Pro. You’ll hit limits quick, trust me.

• This is the main Merlin AI Chat subscription where you pay $19 every single month and get unlimited access to basic models, plus extra access to fancier ones like GPT-5 and Claude Sonnet, but even those have monthly message caps (not truly unlimited in every sense).
 
• Yeah, the Pro Plan unlocks a few nice features: more messages, stronger image generation, bulk AI tools, support, and a bigger context window—but here’s the kicker: every month you start from scratch again. If you don't use your credits, they just disappear. You're basically paying for credits you'll never get back if you skip a month.
 
• In my experience, the monthly “fair use” limits kick in fast if you use the best models a lot—and top-ups cost extra, which really adds up.
 
• If you go yearly, you're still shelling out $228 in one shot, and the same “vanishing credits” thing applies. It just locks you in for longer.
 
• For $19/month, most people like you and me don’t even use half these features each month—but you have to pay the whole amount anyways.

• The Teams Plan is for groups, but here you have to pay for at least 5 people, so that’s $95 a month at minimum, or $900+ a year even if you don’t need five seats.
 
• You get all the Pro features, some extras like a big context window, usage tracking, and stronger data rules. That sounds cool, but again, you’re forking out a pile of cash every single month and if you’re not using all those seats, you just lose money.
 
• It’s kind of wild that unused credits or features don’t roll over. From what I’ve seen, a lot of Teams users end up paying for way more than they use, especially smaller teams. Merlin does not cut you any slack—even for accidental overages.
 
• And don’t forget, fancy stuff is still tied to “fair use”—push too hard, and you’re stuck waiting or buying extra top-ups, which just means more spending on top of already pricey plans.

• Merlin charges you every single month, and your credits expire if you don’t use them. So you’re almost always stuck paying for stuff you don’t use. Imagine buying lunch every day, even if you skip meals—such a waste.
 
• The prices sound fair at first, but when you add up unused months and required top-ups for real usage, it gets pretty expensive very quickly.
 
• Based on my own use, limits hit you at the worst times, especially with “unlimited” features being capped by fair use rules. It’s more like “unlimited, but not really.”

• AIDetectPlus lets you pay just once for credits that actually never expire. Your money goes way further—you only pay when you need more.
 
• You get all the top AI models—GPT‑4, Claude, Gemini—plus tools like AI detection, humanizing, plagiarism checking, PDF help, essays, and more. It’s an all-in-one platform, no nickel-and-diming each month.
 
• Just $9 gets you started with 5,000 words (not monthly, one time!), and you use them whenever you want. Take a break? Your credits are waiting for you, not gone.
 
• For the same price Merlin charges you monthly or yearly, you could have enough credits at AIDetectPlus for months of use, without ever worrying about losing credits or wasting money.
 
• If you want the full details and a point-by-point comparison, just jump down to the section below.

What are some Merlin AI Chat alternatives?

#1 - Merlin AI Chat vs AIDetectPlus

• Both Merlin and AIDetectPlus let you chat with smart AI models like ChatGPT-4, Gemini, and Claude. But honestly, they’re pretty different once you dig in:
  • Merlin AI Chat is all about giving you a bunch of AI models to try out, right from your browser. You get some free questions, and you can switch between models if you don’t like an answer.
  • AIDetectPlus is more like an all-in-one homework and writing helper. You get unlimited AI chat, plus built-in tools for writing essays, fixing plagiarism, making citations, and even checking if your text sounds human. And you don’t have to keep jumping between different apps or tabs.
 
• Where is AIDetectPlus Better?
  • Unlimited AI chat, no annoying limits: You can chat as much as you want with ChatGPT-4, Gemini, and Claude—no running out of credits or getting cut off.
   
  • All your writing tools in one spot: Need to write an essay, humanize your text, remove plagiarism, or make citations? It’s all built right in—no extra websites needed.
   
  • Pay once, use forever: Just buy credits starting at $5, and they never expire. No monthly bills, no wasted money if you don’t use it for a while.
   
  • Super helpful support: If you get stuck, you can actually talk to a real person and get help fast. No more waiting forever for someone to reply.
 
• Where is Merlin AI Chat Better?
  • Quick browser access: If you just want to try out different AI models right in your browser, Merlin makes it easy to switch around and see what each one says.

#2 - Merlin AI Chat vs Deep AI

• Both Merlin AI Chat and Deep AI let you talk with an AI, but honestly, they feel pretty different if you spend a little time with both:
  • Merlin AI Chat hooks you up with lots of the best AI models (like GPT-4 and Claude) all in one spot, and you can even run it right from a browser extension—so you don’t have to hop between websites.
  • DeepAI Chat is more like a big creative toolbox—it’s got not just chat, but also image, video, and even music generators, plus voice chat and all sorts of fun stuff mixed in.
 
• Where is DeepAI Chat Better?
  • Lots of creative tools in one place: DeepAI isn’t just for chatting—you get image, video, and music generators, voice chat, and text-to-speech all together. It’s like playing with a whole art kit, not just talking to a robot.
  • Plenty you can test for free: You can try out a bunch of DeepAI features right from their website, even without signing up (which is honestly pretty rare these days).
  • Cheap pay-as-you-go or Pro plans: You can buy credits as you need or spring for the Pro plan at $4.99/month, which gives you a fair bit of AI playtime without breaking the bank.
  • All-in-one for creative work: No need to keep opening new tabs or juggling apps—DeepAI keeps all its creative tools and chat stuff together in one spot.
 
• Where is Merlin AI Chat Better?
  • Loads of AI models, all together: If you want to try out answers from different top models (like GPT-4 or Claude) without bouncing around the internet, Merlin makes that super easy from their site or browser extension.
  • Some free questions when you first sign up: Merlin gives you 50 free questions to get a taste without paying or even making an account, which is a nice way to try before you buy.
  • Quick access right from your browser: Thanks to its extension, you can chat with AI on whatever site you're on, no matter if you're working or doing homework.
  • Check out where Merlin shines for more details.

#3 - Merlin AI Chat vs Duck AI

• So here's the scoop: both Merlin AI Chat and Duck AI can chat with you using AI, but they go about it in their own ways:
  • Merlin AI Chat is a browser extension that mixes in lots of popular AI models. You can use it right inside your browser, try out multiple AIs, and get started with some free questions. There's also a paid plan that unlocks more bells and whistles (but you gotta watch out for credits and stuff running out).
  • Duck AI (from DuckDuckGo) is all about privacy and keeping things anonymous. You don't have to log in, no one keeps your chats, and you get to play with a whole bunch of AIs like GPT‑4o mini, Claude 3 Haiku, Llama 3.3 and Mistral Small—for totally free.
 
• Where is Duck AI Better?
  • Super private and no signups: You don’t need to make an account, no one tracks you, and your chats stay only on your device.
  • Switching models is easy: You can swap between models like GPT-4o mini and Claude 3 anytime you want in the same chat.
  • Totally free, no paywalls: Even if you use it a lot, you don’t have to pay, make an account, or run into weird limits.
  • Change how it talks: Choose if you want short, long, or funny answers, or change its style, all with no signup needed.
 
• Where is Merlin AI Chat Better?
  • It works as a browser extension, so you can use it while browsing—no need to open a new webpage all the time.
  • You get to try several popular AI models in one spot, especially handy if you wanna compare answers easily.
  • They give you 50 free questions to start with, so you can test it out before deciding.

Is Merlin AI Chat Legit?

• Reason #1: Customer Support is a Nightmare: If you ever have to cancel or ask for a refund, get ready for a headache. Their support basically ghosts you and makes it really hard to get your money back.
 
• Reason #2: Overpriced Subscription with Disappearing Credits: The monthly fee is way too high for what you get. And if you don't use all your credits? Poof, they're gone – you just get ripped off.
 
• Reason #3: Way Too Complicated Now: They crammed in so many unnecessary features that it's confusing to use. I spent half my time just trying to figure stuff out – not what I want from an AI tool.

“combining power with simplicity”

What do you like best about Merlin? Access to Multiple AI Models, Time-Saving Efficiency, and Seamless Integration. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Merlin? Limitations in Free Plans and Credit Management, Design and User Experience (UX). Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is Merlin solving and how is that benefiting you? In short, Merlin acts as a personal AI assistant, solving everyday challenges and empowering users to work smarter, not harder.

― Christian Jessie D. (Coordinador BIM Small-Business, 50 or fewer employees), 2/5/2025, Rating: 3.5/5

• #1 Fast, Accurate AI Chat with Top Models: You get GPT‑4, Claude, and Gemini all in one place. I just ask anything—research, ideas, whatever—and it just works. Super useful for homework, content, or work stuff. No more switching between tools!
 
• #2 Credits NEVER EXPIRE: Buy credits once and they stick around forever. No pressure to use ‘em in a month or anything. Seriously, you only buy more if you need more.
 
• #3 Customer Support That Actually Replies: The team is small and real people answer you instead of useless bots. I've gotten replies in just a few hours, which is honestly rare these days.
 
• #4 All-in-One Toolkit: You’re not just getting smart AI chat. AIDetectPlus also gives you tools for AI detection, humanizing, plagiarism checking, essay help, paraphrasing, and even PDF summarizing. No matter if you’re a student, marketer, or researcher, you’ve got everything you actually need in the same dashboard. Just open the menu up top and try stuff out.