Compare one sec and Merlin AI: Which Extension is the Best?

	one sec	Merlin AI
	One Sec is a browser extension designed to help you manage your time online by introducing a brief pause before accessing distracting websites. Time Management Productivity	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 AI ChatGPT
Key Features	Pause Before Access: Introduces a short delay before opening distracting sites. Customizable Settings: Adjust the delay time and select which sites to monitor. Analytics Dashboard: Provides insights into your browsing habits. Cross-Browser Support: Available on multiple browsers for seamless integration.	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	8.9	8.4
Total users	25,121	1,000,000
Total ratings	1,024	8,802
Average rating	4.8 ⭐	4.8 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	4.9 859 ratings 20.0K+Users	4.8 8.8K+ ratings 1.0M+Users
Edge	4.9 47 ratings 3.6K+Users	-
Firefox	4.8 118 ratings 1.5K+Users	-
Safari	-	-
Features	7.5 The core function that One Sec uses to make users more productive is a pause before opening the website. When I open websites I have defined, such as Twitter, a gray page with a countdown appears. During this period, I was reminded that I didn't want to spend so much time on Twitter and asked myself whether this was intentional or just a reflex out of boredom. This worked very well for us in the test and there were no problems. It is also possible to adjust the delay individually. If you only need the reminder but don't want to be disturbed too much, you can set the timer to just one second, or several seconds if you prefer. Finally, a useful function is the analysis dashboard. This provides analyses of your surfing behavior, showing you at a glance how often you try to open these websites during the day. However, we would like to see more analysis options here. All in all, the functions are kept very simple; further options for time tracking would be an advantage here so that you don't need additional extensions. These functions are already available in the mobile app. One Sec is a good addition to existing time management extensions.	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.
Performance	9.5 In our test, we did not notice any delays or slowdowns due to the extension. Regular updates are also released to improve performance and fix bugs.	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	8.0 The user interface is clean and minimalist, and this also applies to the setup and settings. The extension offers an effective use of visual elements for taking a break by displaying a preset screen with a countdown. There would be potential for improvement here if the screen could be customized.	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.
Value for Money	9.2 The browser extension is completely free of charge. However, you only get a small number of functions. For anyone who only needs the basic function, this is unbeatable value for money. OneSec also offers an app with additional functions. At $4.99/month or $49.99/year, it also has a good price-performance ratio.	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	9.5 The installation process was quick and straightforward. This also includes the setup, which is very intuitive with clear step-by-step instructions. Everything is also well explained in the settings menu afterward, so everyone should be able to find their way around.	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	9.5 Data usage is described transparently in the privacy policy, which places great value on user privacy. This is also reflected in the fact that the features already work with minimal authorizations so that not much private data needs to be tracked.	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	One Sec is a tool that encourages mindful browsing by introducing a pause every time you want to access a distracting website. Although it stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness, its limited functionality means that it should only be seen as a supplement in the area of time management. Overall, however, it is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their online productivity.	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.
	Install one sec	Install Merlin AI
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between one sec and Merlin AI, one sec came out on top, scoring 8.9. Merlin AI is the most widely used, with over 1 million users and 9k+ reviews, but one sec outperformed it in our review. User reviews for one sec reflect our findings, while we rate Merlin AI lower than users do. Notably, one sec has the highest user rating in the Chrome Web Store at 4.85, which supports its strong performance in our review. 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? Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 8. On the other hand, one sec lags behind in this area with a rating of 7.5. Need top performance? one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. 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, one sec lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. Want to get the most for your money? one sec stands out with a rating of 9.2. On the other hand, Merlin AI lags behind in this area with a rating of 8.2. If you hate complicated tools, one sec stands out with a rating of 9.5. 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, one sec 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, one sec is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.