Compare New Tab Calendar and Merlin AI: Which Extension is the Best?

New Tab Extension transforms your new tab with integrated AI, calendar, and productivity tools. Easily manage your daily tasks right from your browser's new tab.
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
Key Features
  • Integrated Calendar: Manage your tasks and events directly from the new tab.
  • ChatGPT Assistance: Get AI-powered assistance for scheduling, reminders, and more.
  • Customizable Interface: Personalize the look and feel of your calendar.
  • Sync Across Devices: Access your calendar from any device.
  • Task Management: Create, edit, and delete tasks with ease.
  • Event Reminders: Never miss an important event with timely reminders.
  • 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.
Our Rating
8.7
8.4
Total users
26,854
1,000,000
Total ratings
2,781
8,802
Average rating
4.9 ⭐
4.8 ⭐
Entry Level PriceFreeFree
Chrome
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
4.53
2.8K+ ratings
20.0K+Users
Chrome Web Store logo
4.8
3.24
8.8K+ ratings
1.0M+Users
Edge
Microsoft Edge Store logo
5.0
5.0
26 ratings
6.9K+Users
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Firefox
-
-
Safari
-
-
Features
8.7

The New Tab Calendar with ChatGPT offers a robust set of features that go beyond the basics. Its integration with popular services like Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, and various task management apps places it ahead of many competitors.

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
Performance
No rating
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.

Design
No rating
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
Value for Money
No rating
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.

Ease of Use
No rating
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.

Security & Privacy
No rating
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.

Conclusion

The New Tab Calendar with ChatGPT is a powerhouse for those looking to enhance their productivity directly from their browser. While it might take some time to fully understand all its features, the benefits it offers make it a worthwhile addition for any power user. However, potential users should consider privacy aspects and the need for an account before fully committing.

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.

Our Recommendation

In our comparison between New Tab Calendar and Merlin AI, New Tab Calendar came out on top, scoring 8.7.

Merlin AI is the most widely used, with over 1 million users and 9k+ reviews, but New Tab Calendar outperformed it in our review. We rate New Tab Calendar and Merlin AI lower than users do.

Notably, New Tab Calendar has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.90, which is even higher than our rating of 8.7.

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? New Tab Calendar stands out with a rating of 8.7. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.
  • Need top performance? Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 7.5. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • Design lovers, take note: Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 9.1. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • Want to get the most for your money? Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • If you hate complicated tools, Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 8.5. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.
  • With privacy and security becoming ever more important, Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 9.3. On the other hand, New Tab Calendar lags behind in this area with a rating of 0.

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