Compare Poe AI Chat, Merlin AI, Google Gemini, Perplexity AI, and ChatGPT: Which App is the Best?

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:

• PDF summarizer
• YouTube video summarizer
• Image generator
• Language translation
• Email composition with Gmail integration

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.

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.

Perplexity has all the features you'd want from an AI search tool, plus some nice extras that make it really useful.

What We Like Most:

1. It Actually Gives You Sources
   This is the biggest thing that sets Perplexity apart. When you ask a question, it doesn't just give you an answer - it tells you where it got that information from. We tested this with all kinds of questions, from "What's the weather like?" to "How do quantum computers work?" and it always provided good sources.
2. You Can Talk to It
   The voice feature works really well. We tried asking questions while walking, cooking, and even driving (hands-free, of course). It understood us clearly and gave good answers.
3. Follow-up Questions Work Great
   You can ask follow-up questions and it remembers what you were talking about. It's like having a real conversation instead of starting over each time.
4. Works on All Your Devices
   We tested it on phones, tablets, and computers. Everything syncs up perfectly - you can start a search on your phone and continue it on your laptop.
5. The Discover Section is Cool
   It shows you trending topics and interesting questions other people are asking. We found ourselves spending time just browsing through this section.
6. You Can Save Stuff
   There's a library where you can save interesting answers and discoveries. It's more than just search history - it's like a personal collection of things you've learned.

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.

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.

The app runs smoothly most of the time. You can chat with the AI without any delays or problems, and it loads quickly.

The voice chat works really well too. There's almost no delay between when you speak and when the AI responds. The voice recognition is accurate, and the conversation feels natural and smooth.

However, we did run into some problems during busy times. The app can get slow or even stop working when lots of people are using it at once. This mostly affects free users since paid users get priority access.

The sync feature works great - your conversations show up quickly on all your devices. Even with long chat histories, the app stays responsive and doesn't slow down.

One area that could be better is the image generation. It can take a while to create images, especially for complicated requests. This makes sense given how much work it takes, but it can be frustrating if you're in a hurry.

The app doesn't drain your battery too much, though using voice chat will use more power than just typing. Overall, it runs well and doesn't cause problems with your phone.

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.

Gemini looks and feels like a Google app. It’s clean, modern, and easy to use. We liked how simple it was to find what we needed. The colors and icons make it friendly, and everything loads fast.

We didn’t run into any design problems, and most people seem to like how it looks. We do wish there were more ways to customize things, but overall, it’s a nice app to use.

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.

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.

ChatGPT has a free version that you can use without paying anything. It gives you basic chat features with the older AI model, which is fine for simple questions and casual conversations.

But the $20/month price for the good features is pretty steep. The paid version gives you:

• The better AI model (GPT-4)
• Image generation features
• Priority access during busy times

That's a lot of money for an app that many people think should be free.

Some users in the reviews were really frustrated about this. They got used to the free features and then found out the good stuff costs money.

The paid version is worth it if you use AI a lot for work, school, or creative projects. The better AI model gives much more detailed and helpful responses, and the image generation can be really useful.

We think it's most valuable for people who need AI help regularly. If you just want to ask the occasional question, the free version is probably fine. But if you want to do serious work with AI, the paid features are actually worth the money.

The voice features and syncing work on both free and paid versions, which is nice. But the way they limit the free version to push people toward paying feels a bit aggressive.

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.

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.

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.

We gave ChatGPT a 7 out of 10 for security and privacy. It uses standard security practices, which is good, but there are some things to be aware of.

The good news is that OpenAI is pretty open about how they handle your data. You can easily find their privacy policy in the app, and they explain what they do with your information.

However, there are some concerns. The app collects a lot of your personal data:

• Everything you say in conversations
• Your voice recordings
• Your conversation history

OpenAI says they use this to make their AI better, but that means they're storing and potentially using your private conversations.

We noticed that some users were worried about the sync feature. Since your conversations are stored on OpenAI's servers (not just on your phone), they can access everything you've said. This is what makes the cross-device sync work, but it also means your chats aren't really private.

The voice chat feature is convenient, but it also means your voice is being recorded and stored. You should know that your voice conversations could be used to train the AI.

OpenAI does give you some control - you can delete your chat history and opt out of some data collection. But these options are kind of hidden and not easy to find.