Compare Microsoft Copilot, Merlin AI, DeepSeek AI, and Grok: Which App is the Best?

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.

Grok's feature set is impressive and comprehensive. The real-time information access is what really sets it apart - you can ask about current events and get up-to-the-minute answers that other AI assistants simply can't provide. The multimodal capabilities are particularly strong, with image generation that produces striking visuals and the ability to analyze uploaded images providing valuable insights.

The integration with X platform is seamless and adds significant value for users already invested in that ecosystem. Grok's personality features, including its witty responses and rebellious tone, make interactions more engaging than typical AI assistants.

Key Features:

• Real-time information access
• Multimodal AI (text, image generation, image analysis)
• Witty and rebellious personality
• Seamless X platform integration
• Advanced reasoning capabilities

However, we noticed that some advanced features are locked behind the X Premium+ subscription, which may limit accessibility for casual users.

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.

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 extension performs seamlessly, allowing you to interact with Grok without any lag or interruptions. The app handles text generation efficiently, and the image generation feature produces results quickly while maintaining good quality. The integration with X platform works smoothly, with minimal latency when accessing real-time information.

Performance Highlights:

• Fast text generation responses
• Quick image generation with good quality
• Smooth X platform integration
• Stable across different devices
• Good network performance

We did notice occasional performance variations, particularly during peak usage times, but these were infrequent and didn't significantly impact the user experience. The app maintains good stability across different devices and network conditions. The multimodal features, including image analysis and generation, perform consistently well, though some users have reported occasional delays with complex requests. Overall, the performance meets expectations for a modern AI assistant application.

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.

The design is clean and functional, following modern mobile app conventions. The interface is intuitive with a familiar chat-based layout that users will find immediately recognizable. The dark theme with X's signature styling creates a cohesive brand experience that feels premium and polished.

The app's visual hierarchy is well-structured, making it easy to distinguish between different types of content - text responses, generated images, and interface elements.

Design Highlights:

• Clean, modern chat interface
• Dark theme with X branding
• Clear visual hierarchy
• Intuitive navigation

However, we found that the design could benefit from more customization options and that the interface occasionally feels somewhat basic compared to more feature-rich competitors. The minimalist approach works well for the core functionality but may leave power users wanting more advanced interface options.

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.

Grok's value proposition is somewhat mixed. The requirement for X Premium+ subscription ($16/month) creates a significant barrier to entry, especially when compared to free alternatives like ChatGPT or other AI assistants. However, for users already invested in the X ecosystem, Grok provides unique value through its real-time information access and distinctive personality.

Value Breakdown:

• Free Tier: Limited access to basic features
• Premium ($16/month): Full access to all features
• Best For: X ecosystem users and power users
• Alternative: Free AI assistants available

The premium features, including advanced image generation and priority access, do offer tangible benefits, but the cost may be prohibitive for casual users. We found that the value is most apparent for power users who can leverage the real-time information capabilities and advanced features regularly. For occasional users or those primarily interested in basic AI assistance, the subscription requirement may not justify the cost compared to free alternatives.

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.

Grok is remarkably easy to use, especially for users already familiar with chat-based AI interfaces. The onboarding process is straightforward, and the app's core functionality is immediately accessible. The chat interface is intuitive, with clear input areas and well-organized response layouts.

We particularly loved how the app handles different types of interactions - text conversations, image generation, and image analysis - all through a unified interface that doesn't overwhelm users. The integration with X platform is seamless, making it easy for existing X users to access Grok.

What Makes It Easy:

• Familiar chat-based interface
• Straightforward onboarding
• Unified interaction system
• Seamless X platform integration

However, we did notice that some advanced features might not be immediately discoverable for new users, and the subscription requirement could be clearer during the initial setup process.

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.

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.

Grok's security and privacy practices are generally solid, with xAI implementing standard industry practices for data protection. The app requires appropriate permissions and follows modern security protocols for user authentication and data transmission. However, we noted some concerns about data sharing practices, particularly regarding the integration with X platform and potential data usage for training purposes.

Security & Privacy Features:

• Standard industry security protocols
• Appropriate permission requirements
• Basic privacy controls
• Data encryption in transit

Users should be aware that conversations and interactions may be used to improve the AI model, which is common practice but worth noting for privacy-conscious users. The app does provide basic privacy controls, but we found the privacy policy could be more transparent about specific data usage and retention policies. Overall, the security measures appear adequate for typical use cases, though users with high privacy requirements may want to review the detailed privacy terms.