Compare Merlin AI and Instapaper: Which App is the Best?
Instapaper is a simple, no-fuss app for saving and reading articles offline. It's easy to use, looks clean, and helps you keep your reading organized. | Merlin AI combines ChatGPT, Grok AI, DeepSeek, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity AI in one powerful app with 70+ AI tools. Enjoy 102 free daily queries and seamless cross-platform integration. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.6 | 8.3 Winner in this category |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper does what you need: save articles, read them offline, and organize with folders and tags. You can pay for extras like searching your saved stuff or adding more notes, but most people won't need that. Some things are missing or work better on iPhone than Android, and sometimes syncing is slow. But overall, it covers the basics really well. | 9.0 Merlin AI has everything you'd want in an AI assistant. It brings together seven different AI models - ChatGPT, Grok AI, DeepSeek, Gemini, Claude, and Perplexity AI - all in one place. This means you don't need separate subscriptions for each one. We really liked the 70+ AI tools it comes with:
The best part is how easy it is to switch between different AI models - just one tap and you're using a different AI. Plus, everything syncs across your devices so you can start a conversation on your phone and continue it on your computer. Winner in this category |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper is fast and works well most of the time. We didn't have crashes, and reading is smooth. Sometimes syncing is slow or articles take a while to show up, especially on Android. But for everyday use, it's reliable. | 8.0 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. Winner in this category |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.0 We like how Instapaper looks. It's clean and simple, so you can just read without distractions. You can change the font or switch to dark mode if you want. The Android app could look a bit more modern, but it's still nice to use. Winner in this category | 8.0 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. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 7.0 The free version is great—you get all the basics and no ads. The paid plan costs more now and doesn't add a lot unless you really need the extra features. If you just want to save and read, stick with the free version. If you want more, think about if it's worth it for you. | 9.0 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. Winner in this category |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 8.0 It's really easy to get started with Instapaper. Saving and reading is simple, and you don't have to mess with a lot of settings. Sometimes it's hard to find certain features on Android, and syncing can be a bit slow, but most of the time it just works. | 9.0 Merlin AI is one of the easiest AI assistants we've tried. You can start using it right away without any complicated setup. The free tier gives you 102 queries per day, which is plenty to test everything out. Installing it is simple, and it works great on both Android and iOS. Switching between AI models is super easy - just tap to change from ChatGPT to Grok AI to Claude, and so on. The integration with Gmail and LinkedIn works smoothly. You don't need to configure anything complicated. The free tier lets you explore all the features without committing to anything, which makes it easy to learn at your own pace. We give it a 9 out of 10 because it's really user-friendly, though some of the more advanced features might take a bit of time to figure out. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Instapaper doesn't show ads or track you much, which we like. You do need an account to sync your articles, but we didn't see any big privacy problems. It's not the most private app ever, but it feels safe enough for everyday use. Winner in this category | 7.0 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. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | If you want an app that just lets you save and read articles without any hassle, Instapaper is a great pick. It's not perfect—sometimes things are a bit slow or missing on Android, and the premium plan costs more now. But for most people, the free version is more than enough. We use it all the time and think you might like it too. | Merlin AI stands out as an exceptional all-in-one AI assistant that successfully combines multiple AI models with practical tools. The generous free tier makes it accessible to everyone, while the premium features offer significant value for power users. For anyone looking to consolidate their AI tools into one powerful platform, Merlin AI delivers an impressive and well-rounded experience. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
