Compare Merlin AI and Potato VPN: Which App is the Best?
Potato VPN is a free VPN service with 10M+ downloads and 4.5/5 rating, offering 6 free countries and premium servers, though it has faced some connection stability issues and billing concerns. | 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. | 6.9 | 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. | 7.0 Potato VPN offers a solid set of features that justify its free-first positioning. The service includes free access to 6 main countries, automatic fastest server selection, and no registration required. The service also includes advanced features like premium servers and live chat support, making it more than just a basic VPN. What sets Potato VPN apart is its generous free tier and user-friendly approach. The service also includes advanced features like automatic server selection and live chat support, making it more than just a basic VPN. However, unlike Proton VPN, it lacks a kill switch and split tunneling. However, the service lacks some advanced features found in dedicated VPN providers, such as specialized servers for specific use cases and some cutting-edge privacy features. The service also doesn't offer some advanced features like obfuscated servers or specialized streaming servers that some competitors provide. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN offers good features, but the connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The service provides good value for users who need free VPN features. | 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. | 6.0 Potato VPN's performance is inconsistent, with good speeds when working but frequent connection issues that significantly impact usability. The service offers decent connection speeds and automatic server selection, but the frequent disconnections and connection stability problems make it difficult to use reliably. The service works well for basic VPN protection when connected, but many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues are particularly concerning given the free-first positioning. The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the free-first positioning. Users expect reliability and performance from a free VPN service, but Potato VPN's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's performance is below average. The connection issues make it difficult to justify the free-first positioning, and users might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability. | 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. | 7.5 Potato VPN's interface strikes a good balance between functionality and user-friendliness. The main screen provides quick access to server selection, connection controls, and key settings. The interface is clean and modern, with good attention to detail and user experience. The app's design is intuitive and well-organized, with clear navigation between different features. The connection status is clearly displayed, and the settings menu is well-structured. The interface doesn't overwhelm users with complex options while still providing access to advanced features. The interface is generally user-friendly and provides good visual feedback about connection status and app performance. The design reflects the free-first positioning of the service, making it easy for users to manage their VPN connection. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's design is competitive and well-polished. The interface is functional and professional, with good attention to detail and user experience. | 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 Potato VPN's value proposition is good for free users, with generous free access and user-friendly features. The service offers competitive pricing compared to other free VPNs, with the ability to get free access to 6 countries being a significant advantage. The service's pricing is competitive with other free VPNs, and the generous free access makes it particularly attractive for users who want a comprehensive free solution. The comprehensive features and privacy protection add value beyond basic VPN functionality. However, the service's value is impacted by connection stability issues and billing concerns. Many users report frequent disconnections and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN offers good features but at a similar cost. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over free alternatives that offer similar performance with better reliability. | 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. | 7.5 Potato VPN is generally easy to use for basic VPN functionality, with a simple interface that requires no technical knowledge. The app's design is intuitive, and most users can get started quickly without any setup or configuration. The service works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. The service offers automatic server selection and no registration required, making it accessible to users of all technical levels. The app doesn't require complex configuration, and the VPN connection process is straightforward. The service works well for most use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. However, the service's ease of use is compromised by frequent disconnections and connection stability issues. Many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The app can be frustrating to use due to connection issues and stability problems. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The connection issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a free VPN service. | 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. | 6.5 Potato VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with high-level encryption and privacy protection claims. The service includes automatic server selection and no registration required. The service also includes advanced features like live chat support for enhanced privacy protection. The service's privacy features are comprehensive for a free solution, with high-level encryption and privacy protection. The service also includes advanced features like automatic server selection for enhanced security and privacy protection. However, Potato VPN has faced some privacy concerns in the past, particularly around its data collection practices and connection reliability. While the company has maintained its privacy commitments, some users remain concerned about the service's data practices and connection stability. Compared to other free VPNs like Proton VPN or Thunder VPN, Potato VPN's privacy practices are solid but not exceptional. The service provides good protection for most users, but those with high privacy requirements might want to consider alternatives with more advanced privacy features. | 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. Winner in this category |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Potato VPN offers good free access and user-friendly features, but its value proposition is compromised by connection stability issues and billing concerns. The service provides generous free access to 6 countries and automatic server selection, but the frequent disconnections and billing problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives.
For users who prioritize free access and are willing to work within the service's limitations, Potato VPN offers a solid feature set with good free access when working properly. However, those seeking specialized VPN functionality or experiencing connection issues might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability, such as Thunder VPN for a more stable free experience.
Ultimately, Potato VPN's free-first approach and user-friendly features make it a good choice for users seeking free access, but the connection stability issues and billing concerns make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. For a more consistent free experience, consider Proton VPN or Windscribe VPN. | 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 | ||
