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Merlin alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Merlin: larger models use up queries quickly on the free plan, and no native Windows or Mac desktop app. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Merlin, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. ChatGPT currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1ChatGPT logoChatGPTFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +25 of 577.6
2Monica logoMonicaFree plan + paidNoWeb, Browser extension, Windows +35 of 566.5
3Poe logoPoeFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +24 of 459.6
4Microsoft Copilot logoMicrosoft CopilotFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +28 of 857.5
  1. ChatGPT logo

    1. ChatGPTTop pick

    Best for: Anyone who wants the most widely used all-round assistant with the broadest feature set

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    77.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merlin

    Use OpenAI's own app for its newest features, memory and agent tools.

    Pros

    • Broadest feature set: voice, images, files, search, agents and coding
    • Huge ecosystem of custom GPTs and third-party apps
    • Polished apps on every major platform

    Cons

    • Best models and higher limits require a paid plan
    • Personal chats can be used for training unless you opt out
    • Plans and usage limits change frequently
    Visit ChatGPT Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.15100
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is ChatGPT a good Merlin alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026developers.openai.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Go plan
    $8/month
    Checked Oct 29, 2026developers.openai.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Plus plan
    $20/month
    Checked Oct 29, 2026developers.openai.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plans
    $100, $200 or $500/month
    Checked Oct 29, 2026developers.openai.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business plan
    $20 per user/month
    Checked Oct 29, 2026developers.openai.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Monica logo

    2. Monica

    Best for: People who want several AI models available on any web page without switching tabs

    Free plan + paidWeb, Browser extension, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merlin

    Near-identical sidebar assistant that also has Windows and Mac desktop apps.

    Pros

    • Sidebar works on any web page with a keyboard shortcut
    • Many models from different providers in one subscription
    • Apps on web, desktop and mobile share the same account
    • Extra tools for PDFs, images and YouTube summaries

    Cons

    • Free tier has a daily usage limit
    • Browser extension only supports Chrome and Edge
    • Pricing page needs JavaScript to show plans
    Visit Monica Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Monica a good Merlin alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Users
    10M+
    Checked Nov 1, 2026monica.im(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Daily usage limit
    Checked Nov 1, 2026monica.im(opens source in a new tab)
    Browser extension
    Chrome and Edge
    Checked Nov 1, 2026monica.im(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop and mobile apps
    Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
    Checked Nov 1, 2026monica.im(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    Butterfly Effect Pte. Ltd.
    Checked Nov 1, 2026monica.im(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Poe logo

    3. Poe

    Best for: People who want to try many AI models without paying for several subscriptions

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merlin

    Broad choice of models and community bots, with good mobile apps and points-based limits.

    Pros

    • Many vendors' models under one subscription
    • Huge catalogue of community-built bots
    • API access uses the same points

    Cons

    • Points system makes costs hard to predict
    • Expensive models use up the allowance quickly
    • Vendor apps offer more features for any single model
    Visit Poe Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Poe a good Merlin alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    API
    OpenAI-compatible endpoint
    Checked Oct 29, 2026creator.poe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    API billing
    Uses subscription points
    Checked Oct 29, 2026creator.poe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Bot types
    Prompt, server, script, canvas and API bots
    Checked Oct 29, 2026creator.poe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Creator monetization
    Yes
    Checked Oct 29, 2026creator.poe.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Microsoft Copilot logo

    4. Microsoft Copilot

    Best for: Windows and Microsoft 365 users who want AI inside the apps they already use

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Merlin

    Free assistant built into Edge and Windows with web answers and image generation.

    Pros

    • Preinstalled on new Windows 11 PCs
    • Works inside Word, Excel and Outlook with a Microsoft 365 plan
    • Free tier with a Microsoft account

    Cons

    • Confusing mix of consumer and work Copilot products
    • Best features require a Microsoft 365 subscription
    • Fewer advanced controls than ChatGPT or Claude
    Visit Microsoft Copilot Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.15100
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Microsoft Copilot a good Merlin alternative?

    Verified facts

    8 of 8 verified
    Microsoft 365 Personal
    $9.99/month, includes Copilot
    Checked Oct 29, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    1 month of Microsoft 365
    Checked Oct 29, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Windows
    Preinstalled on new Windows 11 PCs
    Checked Oct 29, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Voice activation
    "Hey, Copilot" wake word
    Checked Oct 29, 2026support.microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $9.99 a month (Microsoft 365 Personal)
    Checked Nov 1, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 Family plan
    $12.99 a month
    Checked Nov 1, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 Premium plan
    $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year
    Checked Nov 1, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Microsoft 365 Pro plan
    $99.99 a month, monthly billing only
    Checked Nov 1, 2026microsoft.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Merlin alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

ChatGPT logo

Best Merlin alternative for most people

ChatGPT

Use OpenAI's own app for its newest features, memory and agent tools.

Monica logo

Best Merlin alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Monica

Near-identical sidebar assistant that also has Windows and Mac desktop apps.

Poe logo

Best Merlin alternative for Mac

Poe

Broad choice of models and community bots, with good mobile apps and points-based limits.

Microsoft Copilot logo

Best Merlin alternative for Windows

Microsoft Copilot

Free assistant built into Edge and Windows with web answers and image generation.

ChatGPT logo

Best Merlin alternative for iPhone and Android

ChatGPT

Use OpenAI's own app for its newest features, memory and agent tools.

HyperWrite logo

Best Merlin alternative for working in the browser

HyperWrite

Writing-focused assistant with a Chrome extension if drafting text is your main use.

Merlin alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Merlin?

ChatGPT ranks first right now. Use OpenAI's own app for its newest features, memory and agent tools. Monica and Poe follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Merlin?

Yes. ChatGPT (free plan + paid), Monica (free plan + paid), Poe (free plan + paid) and Microsoft Copilot (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Merlin?

None of the 5 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Merlin?

The complaints we hear most: larger models use up queries quickly on the free plan; no native Windows or Mac desktop app; pricing page needs JavaScript to show plans.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Merlin, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.