Best Merlin Alternatives for Summarizing
30 AI tools that can replace Merlin for summarizing text, ranked by how closely they match. The percentage is a match score, not a popularity score.
Replacing: Merlin — AI assistant in your browserInput: text, documents, code, web pages · Output: text, images, code
1
AI in browser sidebar always ready
AI sidebar that stays open in your browser, with rewriting and summarizing tools; free tier
Input: text, images, documents, code, web pages · Output: text, images, video, code
Free planFrom $8.3/mo
84%Strong alternative · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 10 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingImage GenerationMind MappingPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationVideo SummariesWriting
Also tagged for
Grammar CheckingRewritingVideo GenerationEmail WritingSearchData AnalyticsHumanizing Text
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
2
After installing the Chrome extension, you'll see TLDRly's icon appear in your browser toolbar
Input: text, web pages · Output: text
Free planBrowser extension
82%Strong alternative
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 3 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
SummarizingTranslationVideo Summaries
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
3
Storytell turns hours of webpage reading into seconds
Input: text, documents, web pages · Output: text
Free plan
78%Strong alternative
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 1 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
Summarizing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
4
HARPA AI is a Chrome Extension and NoCode RPA platform that automates web tasks to save time and money. It uses a hybrid AI engine built on ChatGPT and Machine Learning to perform tasks such as provid
Chrome extension and no-code automation platform for web tasks, with video summaries and scraping
Input: text, web pages · Output: text, data
Free planFrom $14.3/mo
72%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 3 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsSummarizingVideo Summaries
Also tagged for
Web ScrapingAI AgentsEmail Writing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
5
Web articles pile up faster than anyone can read them, and Summate addresses this by turning lengthy pieces into condensed summaries through a straightforward mechanism
Input: web pages · Output: text
Free planFrom $3/moAPI
64%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 1 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
Summarizing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
6
A graduate student records three-hour lecture videos and needs searchable transcripts in multiple languages
Input: images, audio, video, documents, web pages · Output: text, images, documents
Free planFrom $4.99/mo
62%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
Score set by our editors after reviewing both products; the overlap below is what they weighed.
Shared goals 4 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
Mind MappingPDF WorkSummarizingVideo Summaries
Also tagged for
Transcription
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
7
Wordtune Read is the summarizing side of Wordtune, an AI product that condenses articles, documents and YouTube videos so you can grasp them faster.
Input: text, documents, web pages · Output: text
Free planFrom $4.89/moBrowser extensionTeams
61%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
- Built for Summarizing (its core category)70/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity6/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
SummarizingVideo Summaries
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
8
TLDR This turns long articles, web pages and documents into short summaries that are quick to read.
Input: text, documents, web pages · Output: text
APIBrowser extension
61%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
- Built for Summarizing (its core category)70/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity3/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
PDF WorkSummarizing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
9
Resoomer is a free online text studio that summarizes, paraphrases, translates, proofreads and reads documents aloud from one workspace.
Input: text, documents, web pages · Output: text, audio
Free planMobile appBrowser extension
61%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
- Built for Summarizing (its core category)70/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity3/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
SummarizingTranslation
Also tagged for
Grammar CheckingRewritingReading
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
10
Glarity is a browser extension that summarizes YouTube videos and web pages and translates pages in place.
Input: text, documents, web pages · Output: text
Browser extension
61%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
- Built for Summarizing (its core category)70/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals3/10
- Feature description similarity11/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 4 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
PDF WorkSummarizingTranslationVideo Summaries
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
11
QuillBot Summarizer is an AI summarizer that shortens long text into the key points.
Input: text, documents · Output: text
Free planBrowser extension
61%Partial replacement — covers the main need with gaps
00
How the score adds up
- Built for Summarizing (its core category)70/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity5/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
Summarizing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
12
Google's most capable AI model
Google's own AI model, with summarizing, writing and image generation; free tier and trial
Input: text, images, audio, documents, code · Output: text, images, audio, video, code
Free planFrom $4.99/mo
54%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals7/10
- Feature description similarity5/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 10 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpImage GenerationPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationVideo SummariesWriting
Also tagged for
Image to ImageVideo GenerationVoice AssistantsLanguage ModelsAI AgentsPresentationsSearchSpreadsheetsMathData Analytics
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
13
Your AI assistant for everything
General-purpose assistant from OpenAI for writing, grammar and essays; free tier
Input: text, images, audio, documents, code · Output: text, images, audio, code
Free planFrom $8/mo
53%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals6/10
- Feature description similarity4/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 9 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpImage GenerationPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationWriting
Also tagged for
Essay WritingGrammar CheckingRewritingImage to ImageVideo GenerationVoice AssistantsAI AgentsPresentationsSearchSpreadsheetsMathData Analytics
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
14
Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered chat assistant utilizing advanced AI technologies, such as OpenAI models GPT-4 and DALLE 3. These technologies enable Copilot to deliver fast, sophisticated, and acc
Microsoft's chat assistant packaged for Android phones; free tier
Input: text, images, audio, documents, code · Output: text, images, audio, code
Free planFrom $9.99/mo
53%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals6/10
- Feature description similarity5/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 9 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpImage GenerationPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationWriting
Also tagged for
RewritingVoice AssistantsSearch
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
15
MaxAI is a browser extension and web app that adds an AI sidebar to whatever page you have open.
Browser extension and web app adding an AI sidebar to any page; Gmail, Slack, LinkedIn
Input: text, images, documents, code, web pages · Output: text, images, code
Free planFrom $12/moBrowser extensionTeams
56%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals4/10
- Feature description similarity10/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 5 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsSummarizingTranslationVideo SummariesWriting
Also tagged for
Smart Replies
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
16
Search that gives answers instead of links
Input: text, images, documents, code · Output: text, code
Free planFrom $20/mo
52%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals3/10
- Feature description similarity7/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 5 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsHomework HelpPDF WorkResearchSummarizing
Also tagged for
SearchInvestingData AnalyticsResearch PapersNewsShopping
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
17
Rephrase until it sounds right
Input: text, images, documents · Output: text, images, documents, slides
Free planFrom $19.95/mo
51%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity7/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
SummarizingWriting
Also tagged for
Grammar CheckingRewritingAI DetectionPlagiarism CheckingHumanizing Text
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
18
LightPDF AI for Docs is an online tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to summarize and extract insights from uploaded PDF, Word, Excel, and PPT documents. With multi-platform availability and s
Input: documents, web pages · Output: text
Free planFrom $1.33/mo
51%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity8/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
PDF WorkSummarizing
Also tagged for
Document Extraction
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
19
AI assistant built to be helpful, harmless, and honest
Anthropic's assistant, built to be helpful, harmless and honest; free tier and API
Input: text, images, documents, code · Output: text, documents, data, code, slides
Free planFrom $20/moAPI
50%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals6/10
- Feature description similarity3/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 8 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationWriting
Also tagged for
Essay WritingRewritingLanguage ModelsAI AgentsDocument CreationPresentationsSpreadsheetsMathData Analytics
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
20
AI across Microsoft
Microsoft's assistant that runs across its apps; free tier
Input: text, images, audio, documents, code · Output: text, images, audio, code
Free plan
50%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals6/10
- Feature description similarity2/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 9 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpImage GenerationPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationWriting
Also tagged for
RewritingVoice AssistantsSearch
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
21
This conversational AI platform runs on the K2
Input: text, images, documents, code · Output: text, documents, code, slides
Free planMobile app
50%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals6/10
- Feature description similarity2/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 8 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationWriting
Also tagged for
Website BuildingLanguage ModelsOpen Source ModelsAI AgentsPresentationsSpreadsheetsData Analytics
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
22
You're bouncing between creative work and technical tasks
Model family for creative and technical work, with image tools and an API; free tier
Input: text, images, video, documents, code · Output: text, images, video, code
Free planFrom $9.99/moAPI
50%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals6/10
- Feature description similarity2/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 8 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpImage GenerationPDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslation
Also tagged for
Image to ImageVideo GenerationAPI IntegrationWebsite BuildingLanguage ModelsOpen Source ModelsMath
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
23
Hours vanish into summarizing content
Input: text, audio, video, documents, web pages · Output: text, images, documents, data, slides
Free planFrom $9/mo
50%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals3/10
- Feature description similarity5/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 5 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
Mind MappingPDF WorkResearchSummarizingVideo Summaries
Also tagged for
PodcastingText to SpeechTranscriptionAI AgentsDocument CreationNote TakingPresentationsSpreadsheetsFlashcards
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
24
Got a massive PDF textbook and three hours of lecture recordings to digest before your exam
Input: text, audio, documents, web pages · Output: text, audio
Free planFrom $4/mo
50%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals2/10
- Feature description similarity6/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 3 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
PDF WorkSummarizingVideo Summaries
Also tagged for
FlashcardsQuizzesTeaching
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
25
Upload a research paper or YouTube video
Input: text, documents, web pages · Output: text
Free planFrom $5/mo
50%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals3/10
- Feature description similarity5/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 4 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
Mind MappingPDF WorkSummarizingVideo Summaries
Also tagged for
FlashcardsQuizzes
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
26
Linnk AI churns out decent summaries and translations that stick to the source material
Input: images, documents, web pages · Output: text, documents
Free planFrom $8.2/mo
49%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals3/10
- Feature description similarity4/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 5 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
PDF WorkResearchSummarizingTranslationVideo Summaries
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
27
You get 50,000 daily credits on the free plan
Input: text, images, documents, web pages · Output: text, data
Free planFrom $10/moAPI
50%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity7/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 1 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
Summarizing
Also tagged for
Web ScrapingAI Agents
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
28
Brave Leo is the AI assistant built into the Brave browser.
Input: text, documents, code, web pages · Output: text, code
Free planFrom $59.99/moAPIMobile app
52%Limited overlap · same core category as Merlin
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals2/10
- Feature description similarity8/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 3 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsPDF WorkSummarizing
Also tagged for
Web Browsing
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
29
DeepSeek is an AI lab and chat assistant.
Input: text, images, code · Output: text, code
Free planAPIMobile app
48%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals4/10
- Feature description similarity2/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 6 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
ChatbotsCodingHomework HelpSummarizingTranslationWriting
Also tagged for
API IntegrationLanguage ModelsOpen Source ModelsMath
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
30
Mobile study sessions just got simpler
Input: documents · Output: text, images
From $1.67/mo
48%Limited overlap
00
How the score adds up
- Offers Summarizing as a secondary capability42/70
- Shares Merlin's other goals1/10
- Feature description similarity5/20
Capped below the editor-ranked picks above it.
Shared goals 2 of the 15 we tag Merlin for
DiagramsSummarizing
Also tagged for
Note TakingFlashcards
Goal tags are curated and capped, not a full feature audit — a missing tag is not a missing feature.
Can it really replace Merlin for summarizing text? Vote on each alternative — no account needed. Votes gently reorder the list; they never change the match score.
Missing an alternative for summarizing text? Suggest it
At a glance: top Merlin alternatives for Summarizing
| Tool | Match | Input | Output | Pricing | Free plan | Rating | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monica | 84% | text, images, documents, code, web pages | text, images, video, code | From $8.3/mo | Yes | — | AI Chatbot |
| AI YouTube & Web Summarizer + Instant Translator | TLDRly | 82% | text, web pages | text | Free | Yes | — | AI Summarizer |
| Storytell: Summarize & Chat with Any Webpage | 78% | text, documents, web pages | text | Freemium | Yes | — | AI Summarizer |
| Harpa | 72% | text, web pages | text, data | From $14.3/mo | Yes | — | AI Agent |
| Summate | 64% | web pages | text | From $3/mo | Yes | — | AI Summarizer |
| NoteAI | 62% | images, audio, video, documents, web pages | text, images, documents | From $4.99/mo | Yes | — | AI Summarizer |
Frequently asked
What is the best Merlin alternative for summarizing text?
Monica (84% match) is the closest alternative to Merlin for summarizing text: AI in browser sidebar always ready. AI YouTube & Web Summarizer + Instant Translator | TLDRly (82% match) and Storytell: Summarize & Chat with Any Webpage (78% match) come next.
Is there a free alternative to Merlin for summarizing text?
Yes. 27 of the 30 ranked alternatives have a free plan or free tier, including Monica, AI YouTube & Web Summarizer + Instant Translator | TLDRly, Storytell: Summarize & Chat with Any Webpage.
How is the match percentage calculated?
It measures how much of Merlin's job a tool can take over for summarizing text: shared core category, how many of the same use cases it covers and how similar its feature set is. Popularity and ratings never change the percentage; they only break ties in the order. Lists are recomputed nightly and reviewed by editors for the most-visited tools.
How this list is ranked
The match score measures how much of Merlin's job each tool can take over when the goal is summarizing text: shared core category, how many of the same use cases it covers, and how similar its feature set is. Popularity and ratings do not change the score; they only break ties in the order.
Lists are recomputed nightly from the live catalog and reviewed by our editors for the most-visited tools. Sponsored placements are marked and sit outside the ranking.