Shortlist by what you need
Start here if you know why you are leaving Merlio.
Want the closest match?
AI MagicxMost similar to Merlio in what it does, its category and its price.
Visit (opens AI Magicx in a new tab)Need a free plan?
LunabotHas a free plan, rated 3.5 out of 5. Merlio has none.
Visit (opens Lunabot in a new tab)Want the best rated?
PaletteBrainRated 3.4 out of 5 in our review, against 3.7 for Merlio.
Visit (opens PaletteBrain in a new tab)
At a glance
Green means better than Merlio, red means worse. Prices are starting prices per month.
| Tool | Our rating | Starts at | Free plan | Best for | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 MerlioBaseline | 3.7 | $14.99/mo | No | All-in-one AI workspace bundling chat, image, video, and code generation from 40-plus models. | |
| AI Magicx | 3.8+0.1 | $19/mo$4.01 more | No | AI Magicx bundles 50-plus AI tools, including logo design, image generation, chatbots, and code assistance, into one subscription workspace. | vs Merlio |
| PaletteBrain | 3.4−0.3 | $29/mo$14.01 more | No | Select text in any Mac app, hit Space, run a custom AI command, paste the result back - no window switching, bring your own OpenAI key, pay once for lifetime access. | vs Merlio |
| Lunabot | 3.5−0.2 | Free | YesMerlio has none | One AI assistant, five models (GPT-4o, Gemini, Claude, Mistral, Ollama), working identically across browser, mobile, desktop, Telegram and even Siri - no separate API key or ChatGPT account needed. | vs Merlio |
The alternatives in detail
In order of how closely each one matches Merlio.
AI Magicx
3.8$19/mo
vs Merlio$4.01 more+0.1
AI Magicx bundles 50-plus AI tools, including logo design, image generation, chatbots, and code assistance, into one subscription workspace.
- 50+ AI tools spanning image, text, code, and audio in one workspace
- Multi-model chat access across GPT, Claude, and Gemini
- DeepResearch AI for cited, multi-step research reports
Broad tool coverage can replace several single-purpose subscriptions
No persistent free plan, only a no-card trial
PaletteBrain
3.4$29/mo
vs Merlio$14.01 more−0.3
Select text in any Mac app, hit Space, run a custom AI command, paste the result back - no window switching, bring your own OpenAI key, pay once for lifetime access.
- Works with any macOS app or website via keyboard shortcut
- Custom AI commands - grammar, translation, summarization, code refactoring
- Bring-your-own OpenAI/Azure API key, pay-as-you-go
Genuine lifetime pricing instead of an ongoing subscription
Mac-only - no Windows or Linux version
Lunabot
3.5Free
vs Merlio−0.2Free plan
One AI assistant, five models (GPT-4o, Gemini, Claude, Mistral, Ollama), working identically across browser, mobile, desktop, Telegram and even Siri - no separate API key or ChatGPT account needed.
- Multi-model support (GPT-4o, Gemini, Claude, Mistral, Ollama)
- Genuine cross-platform sync (browser, mobile, desktop, Telegram, Siri)
- Chat with Memory across sessions
Unusually wide platform coverage (including Telegram and Siri) under one subscription
Top-tier features (Gemini Pro, image generation) require the $19.99/month Super plan
FAQ
Questions people ask
Is Merlio free?
Merlio does not list a free plan. Paid plans start from $14.99/mo.
What is the best free alternative to Merlio?
Lunabot is the highest-rated alternative here with a free plan (3.5 out of 5).
What is the cheapest alternative to Merlio?
Among paid plans, AI Magicx has the lowest starting price (from $19/mo). If you need it free, start with Lunabot.
How did you pick these alternatives?
We match tools on what they do, their category and their price, using the details in our directory. Ratings come from our reviews and reader reviews.