Brandwave

Merlin vs Perplexity:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, Merlin had more branded searches than Perplexity among AI browser extensions worldwide. Merlin had about 60,500 branded searches, while Perplexity had 480. Merlin made up 23.1% of all AI browser extension searches we track, and Perplexity accounted for 0.18%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about AI browser extensions, Perplexity appeared in three of the five answers and Merlin in two. Perplexity was mentioned before Merlin in three out of four answers.

Among AI browser extensions worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

Merlin, about 126 searches for every 1 for Perplexity

Merlin 60.5K searchesPerplexity 480 searches

Who does AI mention more?

Perplexity, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Merlin in 2

Perplexity in 3 of 5Merlin in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

Perplexity, named ahead of Merlin in 3 of 4 answers

Perplexity first in 3Merlin first in 1

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Top AI browser extensions in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Perplexity was mentioned in three out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Merlin was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Perplexity was listed before Merlin in three out of four answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Perplexity1st
  2. Sider2nd
  3. Monica3rd
  4. Grammarly4th
  5. Merlin5th
  6. Harpa5th
  7. MaxAI7th

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • Monica3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Grammarly3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Perplexity3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Merlin2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Sider2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Harpa2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MaxAI1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about AI browser extensions

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.

Is Merlin or Perplexity more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for Merlin and Perplexity by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven AI browser extensions we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

Merlin and Perplexity among AI browser extensions worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for Merlin, Perplexity. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthMonicaGrammarlyMerlinSiderHarpaMaxAIPerplexity
Oct 202530.4%27.8%20.4%16.7%2.7%1.5%0.43%
Nov 202531.1%24.8%20.9%17.1%3.4%2.3%0.37%
Dec 202528.4%37.9%15.5%12.7%3.1%2.1%0.31%
Jan 202628.4%33.7%19%12.7%3.8%2.1%0.28%
Feb 202635.8%32.1%16.1%10.8%3.2%1.8%0.23%
Mar 202639.4%28.9%14.5%11.8%3.5%1.6%0.21%
Apr 202631%34.2%17.1%11.4%4.2%1.9%0.25%
May 202630.1%33.8%16.5%13.5%4%1.8%0.24%
Jun 202631.9%29.1%21.3%11.7%3.5%2.3%0.21%
Jul 202633.1%30.2%22.1%9.9%3%1.6%0.18%
Aug 202634.5%27.3%23%10.3%3.1%1.7%0.15%
Sep 202634.6%24.6%23.1%12.7%3.1%1.7%0.18%

How has the Merlin and Perplexity comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • Merlin was ahead of Perplexity in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Merlin’s share of searches among AI browser extensions worldwide moved from 20.4% to 23.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 90.5K to 60.5K.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Perplexity’s share of searches among AI browser extensions worldwide moved from 0.43% to 0.18%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.9K to 480.

How did search popularity change for AI browser extensions worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. Merlin’s share of searches among AI browser extensions worldwide has gained ground for 3 months in a row, from 21.3% to 23.1% in September 2026.

  2. Estimated monthly branded searches for Perplexity worldwide fell 74.7% over 12 measured months, from 1.9K to 480 in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Merlin’s and Perplexity’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

Merlin

1 branded search term

  • merlin ai

Perplexity

1 branded search term

  • perplexity extension

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among AI browser extensions

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