Compare Poe AI Chat, Merlin AI, and ChatOn AI: Which App is the Best?
Poe is a comprehensive AI chat platform that brings together the best AI models in one place, offering everything from text conversations to image and video generation with a user-friendly interface. | 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. | ChatOn AI is a comprehensive AI assistant powered by multiple advanced models including GPT-4o and Claude 3.7. It offers text generation, AI image creation, document analysis, and YouTube video summarization in one platform. | |
| 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. | 8.4 Winner in this category | 8.3 | 6.8 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 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 | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | 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. | 9.0 Poe delivers an impressive array of AI features that truly sets it apart from other chat applications. During our testing, we found access to multiple cutting-edge AI models including GPT-4.5, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and Gemini 2.0, all working seamlessly within a single interface. This multi-model approach allows users to compare responses and choose the best AI for their specific needs. Key features that stood out during our testing include:
User reviews consistently praise the quality and speed of AI responses, with many noting that Poe provides "detailed explanations" and "fast response" times. The app's ability to handle complex queries while maintaining conversational flow impressed us during testing. However, some users mentioned limitations with the free tier's point system, which can restrict heavy usage. We rate features at 9.0—excellent overall capabilities with room for improvement in the freemium model. Winner in this category | 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 | 8.0 ChatOn AI has a really impressive set of features that goes way beyond just chatting with AI. We found it can handle text generation, image creation, document analysis, and lots more - basically everything you'd want from an AI assistant. Here's what we liked most:
But we did run into some issues. Recent updates seem to have caused performance problems - the app sometimes freezes up or needs to be restarted to work properly. Also, the image generation feature, while cool in theory, doesn't always give you what you ask for. The free version is pretty limited, which makes sense but might be frustrating if you want to test everything before paying. We give features an 8.0 - great variety and innovation, but the reliability could be better. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 8.5 The app performs seamlessly, allowing you to chat with AI models without any lag or interruptions. We found consistently fast response times and reliable functionality, though there are some technical issues that occasionally impact the user experience. Performance highlights include:
User reviews frequently praise Poe's performance, with comments like "fast response, detailed explanation" and "extremely important and reliable." Many users appreciate the quick turnaround time for AI responses, which is crucial for maintaining engaging conversations. However, some users report occasional issues including app crashes, with one user noting "just kicks me out of the app" during use. The point system's daily reset can also cause performance-related frustrations when users hit their limits. Overall, Poe delivers solid performance that supports its core functionality well, with room for improvement in stability. We rate performance at 8.5—strong overall performance with occasional technical issues. Winner in this category | 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. | 5.5 ChatOn AI's performance is the biggest problem we found. Recent user feedback shows serious reliability issues that make the app frustrating to use, and these problems seem to have gotten worse after recent updates. What works well when it's running:
But there are major performance issues:
These performance problems have been going on for weeks, and some users say the app has become basically unusable. The developers don't seem to be responding quickly to fix these issues. While ChatOn AI has the potential to perform well based on its features and user base, the current reliability problems make it hard to use. We give performance a 5.5 - below average due to persistent stability issues. |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 8.5 The design is clean and intuitive, making it easy to get started right away. We loved the minimalist approach that puts the focus on conversations rather than distracting visual elements. What users love most is the intuitive chat interface and the well-organized model selection. It's super easy to navigate and quickly find what you need. The conversation layout is straightforward and easy to follow, with clear distinction between user messages and AI responses. Design highlights we appreciated include:
User reviews frequently mention the app's "user-friendly interface" and "smooth" experience. Many users appreciate how the design doesn't interfere with the core functionality of AI conversations. However, some users noted that the point system interface could be clearer, and a few mentioned that the app occasionally feels "guilt-tripping" when promoting premium features. The overall design successfully creates an environment where users can focus on their AI interactions without unnecessary distractions. We rate design at 8.5—strong visual appeal with minor areas for improvement in user guidance. 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. | 7.5 ChatOn AI has a clean, modern look that does a good job organizing all its features. The interface is easy to navigate and looks professional, though there are a few areas that could be improved. What we liked about the design:
Some things could be better though. The interface can feel a bit crowded when you're using advanced features, and some users say the image generation interface could be more intuitive. The transitions between different AI models and features could be smoother too. Overall, the design is solid and functional, though not particularly groundbreaking compared to other AI apps. We give design a 7.5 - it works well and looks good, but could use some polish. |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Poe's value proposition is strong, particularly when considering the quality and variety of AI models available. Our analysis of the freemium model reveals a thoughtful balance between accessibility and premium features, though the point system in the free tier has generated mixed user reactions. Value considerations include:
User reviews reflect this mixed value perception. Many users praise the app as "the best AI ever" and appreciate the free access to powerful models. However, some users express frustration with the point system, noting that it can feel limiting for heavy usage. Comments like "all the app seems to do is just guilt trip you into giving them money" indicate that the freemium model's limitations are noticeable. For casual users, the free tier provides excellent value, while power users will find the premium subscription worthwhile for unlimited access. We rate value for money at 8.0—good overall value with some friction in the freemium model. | 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 | 6.0 ChatOn AI's value is complicated and really depends on your experience with the app. Some users get great value, while others feel ripped off due to performance issues and subscription problems. What makes it good value:
But there are some real problems:
The value really depends on whether you run into the performance issues. If everything works smoothly, the features justify the cost. But the combination of reliability problems and subscription issues really hurts the overall value. We give value for money a 6.0 - potentially good value when it works, but the problems make it hard to recommend confidently. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 9.0 We can't think of a simpler AI chat app to start with than this one. The best part? It works seamlessly right out of the box, no complex setup needed. Installing it is a breeze, and you can easily start chatting with AI models almost immediately. Once installed, the interface is intuitive and easy to grasp. The chat interface feels familiar and intuitive, similar to popular messaging apps. Ease of use highlights include:
User reviews consistently praise Poe's ease of use, with comments like "makes my life easy," "very interactive," and "answers all of my questions politely and friendly." Many users appreciate how the app simplifies complex AI interactions into natural conversations. However, some users mentioned confusion about the point system and occasional app crashes that can interrupt the user experience. The email verification requirement for certain features was also noted as a potential barrier. Overall, Poe successfully demystifies AI technology for everyday users. We rate ease of use at 9.0—excellent accessibility with minor technical issues. Winner in this category | 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 | 7.0 ChatOn AI is generally pretty easy to use, especially for an app with so many features. It does a good job making advanced AI capabilities accessible to everyone, though recent performance issues have made it less reliable. What makes it easy to use:
But we ran into some problems during testing. Recent updates seem to have made the app less reliable - it often freezes up or needs to be restarted to work properly. This really hurts the ease of use since you can't count on it to work consistently. Some of the more advanced features like image generation and document analysis have interfaces that could use better tutorials or guides. The free vs premium feature split can also be confusing. When it's working properly, ChatOn is very easy to use. But the current reliability issues make it frustrating. We give ease of use a 7.0 - good when it works, but the performance problems really get in the way. |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Poe's security and privacy practices present a mixed picture that requires careful consideration. We found that the app does implement some positive privacy measures, but there are areas where user data protection could be improved. Security and privacy considerations include:
User reviews show mixed feelings about privacy, with some users expressing concerns about data collection while others appreciate the transparency about how their data is used. The fact that conversations are processed by multiple AI providers means users should be mindful about sharing sensitive information. While Poe's privacy practices are generally in line with industry standards for AI chat applications, users seeking maximum privacy should be aware that their conversations are not end-to-end encrypted and may be used for AI training. We rate security and privacy at 7.5—adequate protection with room for improvement in data handling transparency. 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. | 6.5 ChatOn AI's approach to security and privacy is a mixed bag, which is pretty typical for AI assistant apps. There are some good things, but also some concerns you should know about. The good stuff:
But there are some privacy concerns to be aware of:
The app could be more transparent about its privacy policy and how it handles data. You should be careful about what sensitive information you share, since your conversations and files get processed by third-party AI services. We give security and privacy a 6.5 - okay for an AI assistant, but be careful with sensitive information. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Poe stands out as one of the most comprehensive AI chat platforms available. It brings together multiple cutting-edge AI models in a single, well-designed interface. Our testing showed consistently high-quality responses and a smooth user experience that makes AI interactions feel natural and productive. The app's versatility is its biggest strength. Whether you need help with research, creative writing, coding, or just casual conversation, Poe provides the right AI tools for the job. The point system in the free version might limit heavy users, but the premium subscription offers excellent value for those who rely on AI assistance regularly. With its combination of powerful AI models, custom bot creation, and multimedia generation capabilities, Poe represents the future of AI interaction. We highly recommend it for anyone serious about leveraging AI technology. | 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. | ChatOn AI is a solid all-in-one AI assistant that brings together multiple AI models in one app. It's got text generation, image creation, document analysis, and more - basically everything you'd want from an AI helper. Lots of users love it for its features and ease of use, but there are some concerns about recent performance problems and how accurate the image generation really is. The free version gives you a taste of what it can do, but you'll need to pay to unlock the good stuff. If you're looking for a multi-purpose AI assistant that can handle both text and images, ChatOn is worth checking out. Just keep in mind that your experience might vary depending on how the app is running when you use it. |
| Our Recommendation | |||
