Compare Merlin AI and Poper Blocker: 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
Poper Blocker is a Browser extension that blocks pop-ups, ads, cookie requests, and more. With functions such as the social media content filter, it stands out from other competitors.
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.
  • Block all popups: Completely blocks any type of popup ad on any website.
  • Ad blocking on any site: Automatically hides endless ads on any website.
  • Hide ads on YouTube: Enjoy videos and music on YouTube without annoying ads.
  • Remove ads and sponsored content on social media: Block ads on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
  • Social Media Content Filter: Control your feed by hiding posts containing specific words.
  • Hide cookie consent requests: Removes cookie banners for a seamless browsing experience.
  • Remove advanced popups (overlays): Blocks disruptive overlays that hide content.
  • Block site notifications: Stops distracting site notifications automatically.
  • Customizable web interface: Hide any web element with a simple click.
  • Whitelist: Create a list of sites where popups are allowed.
Our Rating
8.4
8.4
Total users
1,000,000
2,039,064
Total ratings
8,802
81,432
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
4.3 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
3.24
8.8K+ ratings
1.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
3.78
81.4K+ ratings
2.0M+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
3.9
3.57
19 ratings
39.1K+Users
Firefox
-
-
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
9.0

Adblocking:

Poper Blocker completely blocks any type of advertising on any website. This includes any pop-ups, YouTube ads, and ads on social media. A whitelist can also be added for adblocking; adblocking is switched off on the websites. In our tests, the ad blocking worked, except for preventing web videos on YouTube.

ads blocking

Cookie blocking:

Currently, constant cookie consent requests interfere with web surfing. Poper Blocker removes cookie banners without any problems in our test.

cookie

Social Media Content Filter:

The social media filter is a very intuitive and easy-to-use tool for those who don't want to read about certain topics on social media. For example, if I no longer want to read about war in the world every day, I can enter “war” as a term here and it will be filtered out on social media so that it is no longer displayed to me.

social media content filter

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.

8.3

The extension blocks most types of pop-ups and ads well. In our tests, there were only problems with advertising videos from YouTube, which are not hidden. Also, some users in the reviews have reported problems with certain types of pop-ups that still get through.

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
8.5

The design is clear and user-friendly. The various settings and functions are easy to navigate. The constant request to use the Pro version is always annoying when using the Basic version.

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.

7.5

Basic version:
The free version has limited functions that may not be sufficient for all users. Especially due to the lack of comprehensive ad blocking on websites. Competitors offer more functions in free versions. Only the social media content filter tool is a unique selling point.

Pro Version:
The Pro version is a tool with extensive functions. The price plans are reasonable, especially the Lifetime plan as a one-time payment has a good price-performance ratio.

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

Poper Blocker is easy to install and use. The user interface is intuitive, and the functions are easily accessible and configurable in the settings. Much attention has been paid to ensuring that anyone can use it, particularly with the social media content filter.

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.

7.8

The tool does not block tracking on websites as other competitors do. In the tool, Poper Blocker uses modern encryption and security measures, but as with AdBlocker, the collection of personal data, even in anonymized form, and the use of third-party cookies can pose a certain data protection risk.

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.

Poper Blocker is a good tool for blocking various types of online distractions. With its extensive range of functions in the Pro version and its intuitive user interface, it is a powerful tool. The social media content filter was particularly impressive. This is currently a unique selling point of the tool.

In terms of performance, there are currently issues with certain types of pop-ups and YouTube's ad videos. The Basic version is also very limited and does not include normal ad blocking on all websites.

If you are looking for a comprehensive solution to block pop-ups, ads and prevent tracking, the Pro version is a good choice. As a free version, however, there are alternatives from competitors that offer more functions.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Merlin AI and Poper Blocker, all extensions performed equally well, each scoring 8.4.

Poper Blocker is the most widely used, with over 2 million users and 81k+ reviews—and it also delivered the strongest performance in our tests. User reviews for Poper Blocker reflect our findings, 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? Poper Blocker stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Need top performance? Poper Blocker stands out with a rating of 8.3. 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, Poper Blocker lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, Poper Blocker lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Poper Blocker stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.5.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Poper Blocker lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.8.

There's no single winner, so check the categories above to find your best fit.