Compare Merlin AI and Notebook Web Clipper: Which Extension is the Best?

Merlin AI is a browser extension and web app that unifies top AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Mistral) for research, summarizing, writing, coding, diagramming, translation, and more—directly in yo
Notebook Web Clipper is a versatile tool for capturing web content. Zoho describes itself as the alternative to Evernote and is a great choice for creatives and productivity enthusiasts.
Key Features
  • Unified AI Models: Access ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Mistral, and more from one account—no need for separate logins.
  • Research & Summarize: Summarize web pages, YouTube videos, PDFs, and documents instantly.
  • Content Creation: Write emails, social media posts, blogs, and outreach messages with AI assistance.
  • Projects: Build custom AI chatbots using your own files, links, or knowledge ba
  • Crafts: Instantly generate code snippets, diagrams, and mindmaps
  • Live Search: Get up-to-date answers by searching the web in real time.
  • Multi-language Support: Translate content into 25+ languages.
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Quickly summon Merlin with Ctrl/Cmd+M anywhere in your browser.
  • Web Clipping: Save text, images, and links as note cards.
  • Clean View: Clip articles without ads for a distraction-free reading experience.
  • Screenshot Tool: Capture and annotate screenshots directly.
  • Smart Cards: Convert links into smart cards for easy reference.
  • Meeting Notes: Take notes during online meetings with integrated tools.
Our Rating
8.4
8.8
Total users
1,000,000
102,995
Total ratings
8,802
1,097
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
3.9 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
3.24
8.8K+ ratings
1.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.2
3.80
1.0K+ ratings
70.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.4
3.09
13 ratings
32.0K+Users
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.0
4.08
80 ratings
957Users
Safari
-
-
Features
8.0

Merlin AI offers a variety of features including summarizing, writing, coding, diagramming and more. It supports multiple AI models such as GPT-4, Claude and Gemini and allows users to create custom AI chatbots and knowledge bases. The platform also integrates with the web and files in real time. However, some features, such as PDF summarization, are not as robust as those of specialized tools. It also lacks what we consider to be the important function of direct communication between AI and the current website. In addition, the function of direct communication between AI and the current website, which we consider important, is missing.

Missing Feature
9.3

Notebook Web Clipper offers a wide range of functions.
In addition to the general saving of websites, we found the highlighting and direct saving of sections of text and the cropping options for images very helpful. Annotation tools improve the screenshot functionality here.

screenshots

Another unusual feature is the clean view function, where an article is clipped and ads or similar are deleted directly from the clip so that only the desired important data is saved.

reader view

Other features such as the smart card functions and the integration of meeting notes are a plus for professionals, but should not be relevant for everyone.

There are still some advanced functions missing that can be found in the competition. However, these will probably only be missed by a few users.

Performance
7.5

Merlin is generally fast and responsive, but it can slow down browsers, especially on older hardware. There are occasional bugs and crashes, though the team releases frequent updates and improvements.

8.0

In general, the extensions work reliably, but can occasionally have delays. In our test, even large clips were processed well and quickly. Regular updates further improve the stability here.

Design
9.1

The design has a modern look and feel, with handy keyboard shortcuts and sidebar integration that make navigation easier. That said, the user interface can feel cluttered and overwhelming, especially for new users, and there are inconsistencies between the extension, web, and mobile versions.

Design
7.5

The extension offers a clean and clear interface. In our opinion, however, there could be a little more customization options. Some users find the design a little outdated.

Value for Money
8.2

The free plan is generous for light users, offering a substantial daily quota and access to a wide range of basic features. The Pro plan is competitively priced, especially when compared to the cost of subscribing to multiple separate AI tools, and unlocks unlimited access to all models and advanced features. However, the absence of a free trial for premium features means users must commit before experiencing the full capabilities of Merlin AI. Additionally, some users report that the query system—where different models and features consume varying amounts of daily queries—can be confusing or feel restrictive, particularly for those trying to understand how far their usage will go on each plan.

9.5

The free version already offers extensive functions. The premium version adds even more functions. The price-performance ratio of just 19.99 dollars per year is almost unbeatable, especially when compared with price plans from other providers such as Evernote.

Ease of Use
8.5

Getting started with Merlin AI is straightforward—installation is quick, and the onboarding process is simple enough for most users to begin using core features right away. However, the platform’s extensive feature set can be overwhelming at first, leading to a noticeable learning curve as users explore everything it offers. Some users have expressed confusion about how the daily query limits work, how different models are selected or switched, and which features are available on each plan. Occasional bugs and log-in issues can also disrupt the workflow, requiring users to troubleshoot or reach out to support. Overall, while Merlin AI is accessible, mastering its full capabilities may take some time and patience, especially for those new to AI tools.

9.0

In our tests, the basic functions were intuitive to use. In addition, a clear tutorial is shown directly after installation. For more advanced functions such as shortcuts, you have to click your way through the extension, but this is not difficult. Existing Zoho Notebook users in particular should have no problems.

Security & Privacy
9.3

Merlin does not sell user data to third parties and only uses data for core functionality. The privacy policy is transparent, but some users remain concerned about the amount of data collected and the permissions required.

9.3

Your data is encrypted by Zoho during transmission and at rest. There is also a clear data protection policy without selling data.

Conclusion

Merlin AI is a powerful and versatile tool that can really boost the productivity of a wide range of users. The integration of multiple AI models and functions into a single extension is ideal for this p

However, Merlin is not completely perfect. We encountered occasional bugs, inconsistencies in the user interface and some performance issues. Pricing can also be confusing, and some features are locked behind a paywall..

Overall, Merlin AI is a good choice for anyone looking for an all-in-one AI assistant for the browser - especially if you value having multiple AI models and tools in one place.

Notebook Web Clipper is a good tool for anyone who wants to increase their productivity by efficiently organizing web content. The integration with Zoho Notebook makes it a must-have for existing users of the platform. Due to its features and superior price-performance ratio, users of other current programs such as Evernote should also consider it as an alternative. Only minor design and performance issues could be improved. Overall, it offers good value for money, especially for those upgrading to the Pro version.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Merlin AI and Notebook Web Clipper, Notebook Web Clipper came out on top, scoring 8.8.

Merlin AI is the most widely used, with over 1 million users and 9k+ reviews, but Notebook Web Clipper outperformed it in our review. We rate Notebook Web Clipper higher than users do, while we rate Merlin AI lower than users do.

Notably, Merlin AI has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.80, which is even higher than our rating of 8.4.

In the end, the differences between these extensions are minimal, so your choice may come down to personal preference or specific features.


  • Looking for the richest feature set? Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Need top performance? Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 9.1. On the other hand, Notebook Web Clipper lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.2.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Notebook Web Clipper stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • For privacy, it's a tie: Merlin AI and Notebook Web Clipper. In the Security & Privacy category, Merlin AI has scored an excellent 9.3. It offers robust security and privacy features that effectively protect user data.

If you want a quick recommendation, Notebook Web Clipper is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.