Compare Merlin AI, Voila, and AI Blaze: 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
Voilà is a browser-based AI assistant that helps you write, research, and boost productivity on any website, all while keeping your data private and respecting your privacy
AI Blaze is a Chrome extension that enhances productivity with AI-powered templates, snippets, and dynamic commands, ensuring consistent messaging across platforms.
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.

Universal Website Integration: Works on any website with context awareness

Gmail Integration: Seamless email drafting and AI-powered instant replies

Expert Prompt Library: Pre-built prompts for various content types

Web Research: Real-time information gathering with reliable sources

Multi-language Support: Works in over 50 languages

Cross-platform Availability: Browser extension, desktop, and mobile apps

Privacy-First Design: GDPR compliant with no data storage on servers

  • AI Assistant: Instantly access AI help on any webpage with the sidebar feature for writing, editing, and more
  • Custom Templates: Create and save personalized templates with dynamic fields for quick access
  • Text Expansion: Type shortcuts to instantly expand into full messages, saving countless keystrokes
  • Brand Voice Customization: Train the AI to write in your unique style and tone
  • Dynamic Commands: Include variables like dates, form fields, and conditional logic in your snippets
  • Team Collaboration: Share and edit snippets with teammates for consistent messaging
  • Multiple AI Models: Choose between GPT-4o mini, GPT-4o, and Claude Sonnet depending on your needs
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works across Chrome, Windows, and macOS
Our Rating
8.4
9.1
9.0
Total users
1,000,000
90,811
50,000
Total ratings
8,799
235
145
Average rating
4.8 ⭐
4.3 ⭐
5.0 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
3.24
8.8K+ ratings
1.0M+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.7
4.73
199 ratings
80.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
5.0
4.98
145 ratings
50.0K+Users
Edge
-
Microsoft Edge Store logo
4.1
4.00
9 ratings
7.3K+Users
-
Firefox
-
Mozilla Firefox Add-ons Store logo
4.1
3.88
27 ratings
3.5K+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

Voilà's features are impressively comprehensive and cover many areas, from simple AI chat to advanced content creation tools.
The library of pre-built expert prompts for various requirements is particularly valuable. This often allows you to get the right result without having to write anything yourself.

prompts

The integration with Gmail works flawlessly and makes email management much more efficient. The ability to respond to emails in a context-sensitive manner sets the tool apart from many of its competitors.

Mail

On websites, it is first necessary to highlight the desired text. However, if you want a summary of the website, for example, this is not a problem because you can simply highlight the entire website. A context-based AI chat that has access to the context of the current website would improve this even further.

Summarize

Overall, the extension offers very powerful features, some of which are not even found in competitors' products.

8.8

The AI writing aid worked very well in the test with emails, customer responses, and short formats. We particularly liked the dynamic templates, which adapt according to user input. The extension can therefore be adapted for both commercial use, such as quickly replying to emails, and for everyday private use. From summaries to social media texts, this helped enormously in the test. In particular, learners such as students should have a special added value here, for example, through summaries that can be created quickly.

Summarize


Overall, AI Blaze already offers the possibility for almost endless possibilities; at most, there could be even more templates, as users may otherwise not exploit the full potential due to ignorance.

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.

8.7

In our test, Voilà consistently delivered good performance on various websites and in different use cases. The AI responses are usually fast and relevant. The extension has no noticeable impact on browser performance. Some users report occasional delays during peak times, but this is common with AI tools. The tool processes large documents and complex queries without any problems.

8.9

In our test, AI Blaze worked reliably on most websites and in various applications. The only thing that was immediately noticeable at the beginning was that the functions do not work in the Chrome Store, so websites may prevent access for the extension, but this did not otherwise occur in the test.

error

The text expansion works immediately, and the AI-controlled functions generally respond quickly, depending on the model selected. When using the most advanced AI models for complex tasks, there were occasional short delays, but these were minimal.

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
9.3

The user interface is clear and intuitive. The seamless integration with Gmail is particularly well done.
Dark mode and customizable designs improve the user experience. The extension does everything it can to avoid overwhelming users with information, allowing them to learn new areas of application step by step.

8.8

The clear, intuitive user interface should also make AI Blaze possible for private users who are not so tech-savvy. The integration into the sidebar is very well done and offers a seamless integration into the design of the browser.
There is little that can be customized visually, but this should hardly be necessary. Overall, the design focuses on functionality while maintaining an appealing appearance.

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.

8.9

The free plan offers a good introduction to Voilà's features, but is quite limited. The premium plan for $6 per month offers excellent value for money for anyone who finds that they use the tool regularly after using up their free requests. In our opinion, the advanced features, such as chatting with YouTube videos and generating images, justify the price. For frequent users who also want to use AI for their documents or chat with images, the Ultimate version is worthwhile. At $14, the price is still relatively inexpensive compared to competitors with similar features.

9.0

In this area, a clear distinction must be made between private and commercial users. For the private user, AI Blaze already offers enough functionality for most people in the free plan. Here we also appreciate the Academic Edition, which offers students and teachers extended, free access. The Pro plan could be too high for private users at $20/month with annual billing.

For businesses, however, AI Blaze's Pro plan offers exceptional value compared to similar productivity tools. The time savings alone can justify the investment for most users.

For those who want to work in teams, AI Blaze offers the Business plan for $24/user/month. This includes additional comprehensive functions for collaboration and improved communication processes.

Compared to alternatives, AI Blaze offers a competitive feature set at a reasonable price for businesses. The ROI is clear after just a few days of regular use, especially for those who frequently write similar messages.

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.

9.4

Voilà offers an excellent balance between performance and simplicity. The tutorial system is well-designed and suitable for beginners. The keyboard shortcuts make navigation intuitive once you have learned them. The context-sensitive functions work automatically, so manual configurations are rarely necessary. Creating custom prompts and actions takes some time to learn, but it is worth the effort.

9.0

For basic functions such as using templates and simple shortcuts, AI Blaze is extremely straightforward. New users can start using the ready-made templates within minutes, and they are well-explained. If you don't want to use the predefined shortcuts, you can create your own commands immediately, which makes it easier to remember the shortcuts in everyday life.

We found the shortcuts intuitive and time-saving once you have memorized them. The search function makes it easy to find the right snippet quickly, even as the library grows. The advanced functions do require a certain amount of learning, but the basic functions are easily accessible straight away.

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.

9.0

Data protection is a high priority for Voilà. The extension complies with the GDPR and transparently lists its data processing methods. The tool does not store conversations on its servers, which is important for companies, among others. The privacy policy is comprehensive and explains data usage clearly and concisely. The option to use your own API keys offers additional control and flexibility for anyone who needs it. The only minor criticism is the use of third-party analytics tools, which is a common practice for such extensions.

9.7

AI Blaze takes security very seriously and holds a SOC 2 certification, which confirms that a company has implemented appropriate controls and procedures for IT systems, data protection, and data security. The company's privacy policies are transparent from the user's perspective in terms of how data is handled, and no user data is sold to third parties.

The Business and Enterprise plans offer additional security features such as SAML SSO integration and audit logs.

Choosing between different AI models gives users more control over their data. The company is transparent about its use of cookies and analytics and provides clear options for managing settings. There is also the option to allow the extension only to use marked areas for answers, normally, the AI uses the entire website content to have a better data basis.

privacy
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.

Voilà impressed us with its seamless integration, especially with Gmail, and its powerful AI features. It is a tool that simply aims to integrate AI into everyday life for every user in order to simplify everyday tasks.

The free plan allows you to test it out sufficiently, and if you're convinced, the Pro plan offers excellent value for anyone who values productivity. The tool's ability to respond to emails contextually and directly integrate highlighted text from any website sets it apart from the competition. The only thing that could improve it is the ability to directly integrate the current website without highlighting text.

We recommend Voilà for professionals, content creators, and anyone who wants to optimize their AI-powered workflow without sacrificing privacy or functionality.

AI Blaze shows that it is an impressive productivity tool that delivers on its promise of saving time and optimizing communication. The user interface is intuitive and well-designed, making it accessible even for those without experience with AI tools.

You can tell that companies in particular are also a target group. The ability to customize templates and train the AI to match your brand's voice is particularly valuable here.

While the free version is somewhat limited, the affordable pricing of the paid plans makes it accessible to businesses of all sizes. The time savings alone justify the investment for teams that frequently send similar messages or create repetitive content. Individuals, however, may find it too expensive.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between Merlin AI, Voila, and AI Blaze, Voila came out on top, scoring 9.1.

Merlin AI is the most widely used, with over 1 million users and 9k+ reviews, but Voila outperformed it in our review. User reviews for Voila and AI Blaze reflect our findings, while we rate Merlin AI lower than users do.

Notably, AI Blaze has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.99, which supports its strong performance in our review.

There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below.


  • Looking for the richest feature set? Voila 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? AI Blaze stands out with a rating of 8.9. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5.
  • Design lovers, take note: Voila stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, AI Blaze lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.8.
  • Want to get the most for your money? AI Blaze stands out with a rating of 9. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.2.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Voila stands out with a rating of 9.4. 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, AI Blaze stands out with a rating of 9.7. On the other hand, Voila lags behind in this area with a rating of 9.

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