Compare Merlin AI and Raindrop.io: 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
Raindrop.io lets you save, organize, and access bookmarks on any device. Features include highlights, annotations, and full-text search for easy web content management.
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.
  • Full-Text Search: Search through the entire content of saved web pages and PDFs
  • Cross-Platform Sync: Access your bookmarks from any browser or device
  • Highlighting & Annotations: Mark important parts of web pages and add notes
  • Collections & Tags: Organize content with customizable collections and smart tags
  • Permanent Library: Keep copies of web pages even if they're taken down
  • Team Collaboration: Share collections with team members or make them public
Our Rating
8.4
8.9
Total users
1,000,000
741,698
Total ratings
8,802
1,803
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
4.1
4.31
735 ratings
300.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.5
4.49
44 ratings
109.7K+Users
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.3
4.34
289 ratings
32.0K+Users
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

Raindrop.io offers an exceptional set of features that go far beyond basic bookmarking. The full-text search capability is particularly impressive, allowing users to find content within saved pages. The highlighting and annotation tools are well-implemented, making it easy to mark important sections of web pages. The team collaboration features are robust, and the permanent library feature ensures you never lose access to important content. Cross-platform sync works seamlessly, and the availability of browser extensions for all major browsers and mobile apps makes it accessible everywhere. The API access for developers and custom domains for public collections add significant value for power 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.

9.0

The performance of Raindrop.io is generally excellent. Bookmark saving is fast and reliable, search results are quick, and sync works efficiently across devices. The mobile app performs well, though there's room for improvement in some areas. Resource usage is efficient, and the browser extension is stable. Page loading is quick, though users might occasionally experience sync delays. Overall, the performance is solid and reliable for daily use.

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
8.0

The interface design of Raindrop.io is clean, modern, and professional. The browser extension is intuitive and easy to use, while the web interface offers a responsive design that works well on all devices. The collections view is well-organized, and the visual hierarchy helps users navigate their bookmarks efficiently. The design is consistent across different platforms, though some users might wish for more customization options. The overall aesthetic is polished and user-friendly, though there's room for improvement in terms of personalization.

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.

9.3

Raindrop.io offers good value for money, particularly for users who need its advanced features. The free tier, while limited, is sufficient for basic bookmarking needs. The Pro plan is competitively priced, especially with the annual discount option. The comprehensive feature set justifies the cost for power users, and regular updates show ongoing development. The support is responsive and helpful.

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.

8.7

Raindrop.io excels in user-friendliness. The installation process is straightforward, and the browser extension is intuitive to use. The interface is easy to understand, even for new users, and saving bookmarks is quick and efficient. The organization system is logical and straightforward, and the keyboard shortcuts are well-implemented. The onboarding experience is smooth, and features are easily discoverable. The tool manages to pack powerful features while maintaining an accessible interface.

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.

9.5

Security and privacy are priorities for Raindrop.io. The implementation of 256-bit encryption ensures data is well-protected during sync. The company's commitment to not selling user data is reassuring, and the private-by-default approach respects user privacy. The privacy policy is clear and transparent, and the service is GDPR compliant. Regular security updates and a secure sync process demonstrate an ongoing commitment to user security. The handling of user data is transparent and trustworthy.

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.

Raindrop.io is a versatile and powerful bookmark manager. The successful combination of feature-rich configuration and intuitive user interface makes the tool the first choice for both occasional users and power users.

Thanks to its cross-platform availability, users have access to their bookmarks anytime and anywhere. The free version with its partially limited range of functions will be enough for many users, while the Pro plan offers excellent value for money for all others.

Particularly noteworthy is the ability to save not just links, but complete websites, supplemented by practical functions such as markers and annotations. This makes Raindrop.io ideal for both students and professionals who regularly need to organize, comment on, and archive web content.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Merlin AI and Raindrop.io, Raindrop.io came out on top, scoring 8.9.

Merlin AI is the most widely used, with over 1 million users and 9k+ reviews, but Raindrop.io outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Raindrop.io 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? Raindrop.io 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? Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 9. 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, Raindrop.io lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.2.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 8.7. 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, Raindrop.io stands out with a rating of 9.5. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 9.3.

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