Compare Claude, Merlin AI, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, and DeepSeek AI: Which App is the Best?

Gemini is packed with things you can do:

• Get help with homework
• Make images
• Plan trips
• Connects with Google services like Search and Maps

If you pay for Pro or Ultra, you get even more, like video generation and deep research.

But not everything works everywhere. Some features, like video-to-talk, didn’t show up on all our devices. And if you’re used to the old Google Assistant, you might miss a few things. Still, the basics work well and Gemini keeps getting better. Just check if the features you want are available for your phone.

We think Gemini’s features are strong, but we’d like to see them work the same for everyone.

DeepSeek AI has a solid set of features that make it a great alternative to paid AI assistants. It does more than just answer questions - it's like having a smart friend who can help with pretty much anything.

Here's what we really liked:

1. The AI is really smart

This thing is powered by a massive AI model with over 600 billion parameters. That's a lot of brainpower! It can handle complex questions, coding problems, and analytical tasks really well.

2. It shows its work

Unlike most AI assistants, DeepSeek actually shows you how it thinks through problems. This is especially helpful when you're learning something new or debugging code. It breaks everything down step by step.

3. It's completely free

No catch, no hidden fees, no premium tiers. You get unlimited access to this powerful AI without paying anything. That's pretty rare these days.

4. It works everywhere

Whether you're on Android or iOS, the experience is the same. No need to worry about compatibility issues.

The main downsides:

• No voice features
• No image generation
• No file uploads

But for basic AI chat and coding help, it's really solid.

We give features an 8.5 - it does the core stuff really well, but could use some extra bells and whistles.

The app runs smoothly without lag or interruptions when chatting with multiple AI models. The search function works quickly and accurately, so you can easily find your conversations.

We tested it on different devices and platforms, and it performed well everywhere. The chat responses are fast, even when switching between different AI models. The cross-device sync works reliably, so you can start a conversation on your phone and pick it up later on your computer.

The integration with Gmail and LinkedIn works well without delays. We did notice some occasional loading times when processing complex requests or large documents, but overall the performance is consistent and reliable for everyday use.

The best part is that basic features work offline, so you can access your conversations even without an internet connection.

Gemini runs smoothly.

• App opens fast
• Answers come quickly
• No crashes or slowdowns in our tests

Some features aren’t on every device yet, but that’s not a speed issue. For what’s there, everything works as it should.

The app runs smoothly most of the time. We tested it on different devices and network conditions, and it usually responds within a few seconds. The voice recognition works well even with background noise.

Search results load quickly, and the app handles complex questions without crashing or freezing. The sync between devices works reliably, so you can switch between your phone and computer seamlessly.

We did notice some slowdowns during peak hours, and occasionally the app would take longer to respond to very complex questions. Some users have reported connection issues, but we didn't experience any major problems during our testing.

Overall, it performs well for an AI app. The occasional hiccups are minor and don't really affect the user experience.

Performance is a bit hit or miss with DeepSeek AI. When it's working well, it's great. When it's not, it can be frustrating.

When everything is running smoothly, the app responds quickly and works without any lag. The AI processes your questions fast and gives good answers.

It works consistently across different devices, so you get the same experience whether you're on Android or iOS.

What works well:

• Fast responses: When servers are working, it's quick
• Reliable interface: The app itself doesn't crash much
• Cross-platform: Works the same on all devices

The problem is that the servers seem to get overloaded a lot. You'll often see "server busy" messages, and sometimes the app just doesn't work at all. The recent drop in ratings from 4.2 to 3.98 stars suggests this is an ongoing issue.

Common issues users report:

• Server busy messages
• Slow response times
• App not working at all
• Lagging interface

It's not the app's fault - it's more about server capacity and infrastructure. But it definitely affects how useful the app is.

We give performance a 6.5 - good when it works, but the reliability issues are a real problem.

The app looks clean and modern. It's easy to find what you need without getting lost in menus. The chat interface is well-designed with clear differences between responses from different AI models.

We liked how the app works the same way whether you're on Android, iOS, or desktop. It adapts nicely to different screen sizes. The dark and light theme options are a nice touch, and you can customize the interface to your liking.

The mobile version works really well too - you can easily access your AI conversations on your phone without any issues.

The app looks clean and modern, which makes it easy to use. We really like how simple the interface is - there's no clutter or confusing buttons.

• The search bar is right where you expect it to be
• Answers are formatted nicely with clear sections
• Sources are listed in a way that's easy to read and click on
• Works well on different screen sizes
• Dark mode option is nice for reading at night

There have been some recent updates that confused users at first, but the design team seems to be listening to feedback and making improvements. Overall, it's a good-looking app that's easy on the eyes.

The design is clean and straightforward. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done without getting in your way.

We like how simple it is to use. The chat interface looks familiar - just like any messaging app you've used before. The text is easy to read, and the buttons are where you'd expect them to be.

It works well on both phones and tablets, and the layout adjusts nicely to different screen sizes. The app doesn't try to be flashy, which is actually kind of refreshing.

What we liked:

• Clean chat interface: Easy to read messages and clear conversation flow
• Simple layout: No confusing menus or hidden features
• Works on all devices: Looks good on both Android and iOS
• Easy to navigate: Everything is where you'd expect it to be

The downside? It's pretty basic looking. No cool animations or fancy themes. Some people might find it boring, but we think it's actually better this way - less distraction, more focus on the AI responses.

We give design a 7.5 - it's functional and clean, but could use a bit more personality.

Merlin AI offers great value. You can use it for free without creating an account, and you get 102 queries per day across all the major AI models.

This free access to ChatGPT, Grok AI, DeepSeek, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity AI in one app saves you from needing multiple expensive subscriptions. The premium plan adds useful features like voice chat, advanced AI tools, and team collaboration.

The pricing is reasonable, making it a good choice for students, professionals, and anyone who wants to boost their productivity. When we compared it to individual subscriptions for these AI services, Merlin AI saves you money while offering more convenience.

You really can't find another tool that gives you this much value for so little cost.

Gemini gives you a lot for free:

• Main features work without paying
• Extras like video generation need Pro or Ultra
• Most people won’t need to upgrade right away

The free version is generous, and the paid plans are fair for what you get. There are no hidden fees.

The free version is surprisingly good. You get most of the core features without paying anything, which is rare these days. We tested the free version extensively and found it works great for everyday use.

What we really like is that the free version doesn't feel like a limited trial. You can use it indefinitely without feeling like you're missing out on essential features. That's refreshing compared to other apps that constantly push you to upgrade.

For most people, the free version is all you need. Only upgrade if you find yourself hitting the limits or need the advanced features.

Gemini is easy to get started with.

• Menus are clear
• Main features are easy to find
• No manual needed

Some features only work on certain phones or in some countries, which can be confusing. We also wish you could talk to Gemini without always opening the app. But for most things, it’s simple and quick.

This might be the easiest AI assistant we've ever used. Seriously, you can start using it right away without any setup.

Download the app, open it, and start typing. That's it. No account needed, no complicated settings to figure out.

It works the same way on both Android and iOS, so if you switch phones, you won't have to relearn anything.

What makes it so easy:

• No setup required: Just download and start chatting
• Familiar interface: Looks and works like any chat app
• Simple input: Type your question and hit send
• Clear responses: Easy to read answers with good formatting

The only annoying thing is that sometimes you get "server busy" messages when the app is overloaded. And there's not much guidance for new users on how to get the best results.

But overall, it's really user-friendly. We give ease of use an 8.0 - it's super simple to use, though the occasional server issues can be frustrating.

For security and privacy, we give Merlin AI a 7 out of 10. The app uses standard encryption for your conversations and personal data, which is good.

However, since it connects to multiple AI providers, your data might be shared with these third-party services. This is mentioned in their privacy policy, but it's something to be aware of. The app doesn't ask for unnecessary permissions, but remember that your conversations and any documents you upload are processed by external AI services.

While the company is transparent about how they use data, we would have liked more control over what gets shared with which AI providers. They do a good job of being upfront about it, but some users might want more control over their data.

Gemini uses Google’s usual privacy and security rules.

• Your data is handled by Google’s privacy policy
• You can check the details in the app
• No privacy problems or weird permissions in our tests

Like other Google apps, some data is collected to make things work better. If you care a lot about privacy, it’s worth reading the policy. We like that you can change some privacy settings, but this isn’t an offline or anonymous tool.

Security and privacy get a 7 out of 10 from us. The app uses standard security practices like encryption, which is good. The privacy policy is clear about what data they collect and how they use it.

You have some control over your data:

• Delete your search history
• Manage your account settings
• Control what data is shared

However, some users have concerns about how much data is being collected for AI training. The privacy controls could be more detailed and easier to access. We'd like to see more options for users who want to limit data collection.

Overall, it seems safe to use, but we'd recommend reading the privacy policy if you're concerned about data collection.

Privacy is a mixed bag with DeepSeek AI. On the plus side, you don't need an account to use it, which means they're not collecting your email or personal info.

What we liked:

• No account needed: You can use it without giving any personal information
• Minimal data collection: They don't seem to track much about you
• No social features: Your conversations stay private

The downside? It's an AI assistant, so it has to process and store your conversations to work. They probably use your chats to improve their AI model, which is pretty standard for these apps.

They don't sell your data to third parties, which is good. But you should know that your conversations are being processed and stored somewhere.

It's more private than apps that require accounts and collect lots of personal info, but less private than apps that keep everything on your device.

We give privacy a 7.0 - reasonable for an AI assistant, but not perfect.