Compare Urban VPN Proxy and Merlin AI: Which Extension is the Best?

	Urban VPN Proxy	Merlin AI
	Urban VPN Proxy offers a free VPN service with additional integrated functions such as adblocking. There are only concerns about the comprehensive data collection. VPN 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	IP Address Masking: Allows users to change their IP location to any of the 77 available countries. Ad-Blocking: Protects against annoying ads and mining websites. Encryption: Complies with the latest OpenVPN standards for secure browsing. No Additional Software Required: Easy installation as a browser extension. Free Service: Offers a vast network of 530+ VPN servers without a subscription fee.	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	7.4	8.4
Total users	6,463,814	1,000,000
Total ratings	56,408	8,802
Average rating	4.4 ⭐	4.8 ⭐
Entry Level Price	Free	Free
Chrome	4.7 53.0K+ ratings 5.0M+Users	4.8 8.8K+ ratings 1.0M+Users
Edge	4.4 946 ratings 1.3M+Users	-
Firefox	4.2 2.5K+ ratings 154.7K+Users	-
Safari	-	-
Features	8.0 Several features are included in the free Urban VPN Proxy. The most obvious is IP address masking, which allows VPN access to servers in over 80 countries. An adblocking function is also integrated as an add-on, which reduces unwanted advertising while surfing and also protects against mining websites. However, advanced security features such as a kill switch or multi-hop connections, which are available in some premium VPNs, are missing here, probably due to the free version.	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	5.5 The performance of Urban VPN Proxy was good at the beginning of the tests, the connection speed and server availability were also okay, but could be even better in our tests. Especially at peak times, when the server load is high, you notice a sharp drop in speed. After longer testing, the connection drops and throttled speeds became more and more frequent at peak times. The performance may still be sufficient for occasional users, but those who need a stable connection will not find what they are looking for with the free extension.	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 design of Urban VPN Proxy is clear and simple. Every user is immediately shown the basic functions and these can be switched on and off directly as required. The design could be a little more customizable and generally look a little more modern.	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	8.0 Urban VPN Proxy is free and has a good price-performance ratio. With access to over 530 servers without a subscription fee, it's perfect for any basic user. You also get additional functions such as adblocking for free. However, it should be noted and clear to everyone that you “pay” for the use by saving your tracked data through the extension.	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	9.0 Urban VPN Proxy is a very easy-to-use tool overall. The installation process is quick and uncomplicated, and you can start establishing a VPN connection immediately after installation. Every user should have no problems with it, only the performance problems can cause some users to despair.	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	6.0 Urban VPN Proxy offers basic encryption according to OpenVPN standards. Due to the VPN function, you initially browse the websites anonymously. At the same time, however, the service collects precisely this web browsing data for itself. The data is collected in an anonymized format. The browser extension also lacks a clear no-logs policy and other advanced security functions, which also affects the rating in this category.	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	Urban VPN Proxy is a perfect choice for those looking for a free VPN service with basic features. It stands out for its ease of use and offers a wide range of server locations. The only drawback is the extensive data collection. After all, this is explicitly pointed out several times before use and active consent is required. Overall, the service offers good value for money. However, if you want to use a VPN because of the anonymity on the Internet, you will have to use a different option due to the extensive data collection.	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 Urban VPN Proxy	Install Merlin AI
Our Recommendation	In our comparison between Urban VPN Proxy and Merlin AI, Merlin AI came out on top, scoring 8.4. Urban VPN Proxy is the most widely used, with over 6 million users and 56k+ reviews, but Merlin AI outperformed it in our review. We rate Urban VPN Proxy and 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. There are some noticeable differences between these extensions, so it's worth considering your priorities and the details below. Can't decide on features? It's a close call: Urban VPN Proxy and Merlin AI. In the Features category, Urban VPN Proxy has scored a solid 8. It covers the essential features well, though there is potential for further enhancement. Need top performance? Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 7.5. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 5.5. Design lovers, take note: Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 9.1. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. Want to get the most for your money? Merlin AI stands out with a rating of 8.2. On the other hand, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 8. If you hate complicated tools, Urban VPN Proxy 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, Urban VPN Proxy lags behind in this area with a rating of 6. If you want a quick recommendation, Merlin AI is our top pick. But as always, the best choice depends on what matters most to you.