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Head to head · 2026

Merlin vs Shortkut

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

Merlin

Browser AI assistant that brings ChatGPT, Claude, and other models to any website with one shortcut

4.0$15/mo

Visit Merlin (opens Merlin in a new tab)

Shortkut

A Chrome extension that puts ChatGPT-powered shortcuts into any input box on the internet - build,…

3.4Free

Visit Shortkut (opens Shortkut in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Not comparable

    Not comparable: Shortkut does not list a price

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    Merlin

    4.0 against 3.4

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Productivity tools

Side by side

Compared onMerlinShortkut
Our rating4.0Better3.4
Starts at$15/moFree
Free planYesYes
CategoryProductivityProductivity
Plans
  • Free$0
  • Pro$29/mo, or $19/mo billed yearly ($228/yr)
  • Teams$19 per seat/mo, or $15 billed yearly ($180/yr); 2-seat minimum
Free
Key features
  • Ctrl/Cmd+M shortcut for AI access on any website
  • Access to GPT-4, Claude 3 Opus, Gemini, DeepSeek, and Mistral Large from one interface
  • Dedicated summarization for YouTube videos, PDFs, and articles
  • Native buttons inside Gmail, LinkedIn, and X for drafting content
  • Image generation across 20-plus models and aspect ratios
  • AI-powered shortcuts usable in any input box on the internet
  • Custom, reusable AI-driven snippets
  • Team collaboration via shared private shortcuts
  • Adjustable tone and style per generated response
  • Chrome browser extension - no separate app needed
Pros
  • Free tier's 102 daily queries is generous enough for real evaluation before paying
  • Single subscription replaces separate ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, and Gemini subscriptions
  • Native integration inside Gmail and LinkedIn saves switching tabs constantly
  • Works inline in existing input boxes, no context-switching to a separate AI tool
  • Team-shared shortcuts standardize on tested prompts rather than reinventing them
  • Free during beta with no cost barrier to start
Cons
  • 'Unlimited fair access' marketing overstates a Pro plan that's actually credit-capped
  • Real usage cap (around $100 of model cost) isn't disclosed upfront in plan marketing
  • Browser-extension dependence means no dedicated mobile app experience
  • Paid/enterprise pricing isn't finalized yet (post-1.0 release)
  • Chrome-extension-only - confirm browser compatibility for your setup
  • Generated content quality still benefits from a quick review before sending
CompanyFoyer, founded 2021Shortkut

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260824. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is Merlin better than Shortkut?

In our reviews Merlin scores 4.0 and Shortkut scores 3.4. The better pick depends on the job. Merlin: Browser AI assistant that brings ChatGPT, Claude, and other models to any website with one shortcut. Shortkut: A Chrome extension that puts ChatGPT-powered shortcuts into any input box on the internet - build, save, and share AI snippets with your whole team.

Which is cheaper, Merlin or Shortkut?

Merlin: from $15/mo. Shortkut: free.

Do Merlin and Shortkut have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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