7 Best AI Chrome Extensions in 2026
AI Chrome extensions all promise the same thing. The real question is: where does your data go? We ranked 7 extensions by privacy architecture, model access, pricing honesty, and actual usefulness.
Last updated: February 9, 2026
Every AI Chrome extension gives you access to GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini. The difference is how they do it. Most route your prompts through their own proxy servers — meaning a third party sees everything you type. A few use BYOK (Bring Your Own Keys) architecture, sending requests directly to AI providers. This isn't a minor distinction: a UC Davis study (Aug 2025) documented one popular extension collecting email content and patient records. We ranked these extensions with privacy and data handling as primary criteria, followed by model access, pricing, and features.
How We Evaluated
Data Architecture
BYOK (direct to AI providers) vs proxy (through extension maker's servers). This determines who sees your prompts and responses.
Model Access & Limits
How many AI models are available? Are premium models gated behind usage caps? Can you access new models on launch day?
True Cost of Ownership
Monthly subscription + hidden caps vs one-time purchase + API costs. What's the 5-year total cost?
Features & Templates
Prompt templates, library management, page summarization, image generation, and writing assistance.
The Rankings
7 tools tested and ranked
Prompt Anything Pro
Best for privacy — BYOK architecture, 17 models, lifetime pricing
Prompt Anything Pro uses BYOK (Bring Your Own Keys) — your API keys are stored locally in Chrome, and requests go directly from your browser to OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google. No middleman ever sees your prompts. 17 models across 3 providers, 45 templates across 10 categories, and a prompt library with full JSON/CSV export. New models are available the day they launch.
Pros
- BYOK architecture — prompts go directly to AI providers, no middleman
- 17 models across 3 providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google)
- 45 templates across 10 categories
- Prompt library with tagging, search, and JSON/CSV export
- New models available on launch day
- Lifetime option at $49.99
Cons
- Requires 5-minute API key setup
- No built-in image generation
- Separate API costs ($1-9/month typical)
- Text-focused — no page summarization
Verdict: The best AI Chrome extension for anyone who handles sensitive data. BYOK architecture means zero data exposure. 70-90% cheaper than proxy-based alternatives over time.
HARPA AI
Best for web automation — powerful but proxy-based
HARPA AI combines AI chat with web automation capabilities. It can monitor websites, extract data, fill forms, and automate repetitive web tasks. Supports GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini. The web automation features are genuinely unique, but all prompts route through HARPA's servers. Best for users who need AI-powered web automation more than privacy.
Pros
- Unique web automation capabilities (monitoring, extraction, form filling)
- Supports GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini
- Page-aware — can read and respond to current page content
- Active development with frequent updates
Cons
- Proxy architecture — prompts routed through HARPA's servers
- Complex pricing with credit-based system
- Automation features have a learning curve
- No BYOK option — locked to their proxy
Verdict: Genuinely innovative web automation features. If you need AI-powered web monitoring and automation, HARPA is unique. For privacy-sensitive AI chat, the proxy architecture is a concern.
Monica AI
Most popular — 3M+ users, but documented data collection concerns
Monica AI (3M+ users) is one of the most installed AI Chrome extensions. It offers text prompting, image generation (DALL-E), page summarization, and a chat interface. However, a UC Davis study (Aug 2025) documented Monica collecting sensitive data including email content and patient records. All prompts route through Monica's proxy servers.
Pros
- 3M+ active users — large community
- Built-in image generation (DALL-E)
- Page summarization and reading assistance
- Zero-setup — install and use immediately
Cons
- UC Davis study documented sensitive data collection (Aug 2025)
- All prompts proxy through Monica's servers
- 'Unlimited' plan caps premium models at ~200/week
- $14.99-$39/month subscription
Verdict: Popular and feature-rich, but the documented data collection issues are serious. If privacy isn't a concern, it works well. If you handle sensitive data, look elsewhere.
Sider AI
Strong sidebar UI — good for document work, proxy-based
Sider AI provides a polished sidebar interface for AI chat alongside your browser content. Strong for document analysis, PDF reading, and in-page writing assistance. Supports multiple AI models with a credit-based system. Prompt routing goes through Sider's servers — standard proxy architecture.
Pros
- Polished sidebar interface alongside browser content
- Strong PDF and document analysis
- In-page writing assistance
- Multiple AI model support
Cons
- Proxy architecture — all prompts through Sider's servers
- Credit-based system complicates pricing
- Premium models limited on lower tiers
- No BYOK option
Verdict: Excellent sidebar UI for document-heavy workflows. The PDF and page analysis features are genuine strengths. Proxy architecture is the tradeoff for zero-setup convenience.
Merlin AI
Best Gmail/LinkedIn integration — good for sales workflows
Merlin AI shines in its integrations: Gmail compose assistance, LinkedIn message drafting, and YouTube video summarization. It's built for sales and productivity workflows where AI helps with communication. Supports GPT-4 and Claude. All prompts route through Merlin's servers.
Pros
- Strong Gmail integration (compose, reply, summarize)
- LinkedIn message drafting and optimization
- YouTube video summarization
- Good for sales/outreach workflows
Cons
- Proxy architecture — prompts through Merlin's servers
- Query limits on all plans (even 'unlimited')
- Limited prompt customization compared to template tools
- Focused on specific use cases — less flexible
Verdict: Best-in-class for Gmail and LinkedIn AI assistance. If your primary use is sales communication and email drafting, Merlin's integrations are unmatched. For general AI prompting, it's more limited.
MaxAI
Clean writing assistant — good for in-page editing
MaxAI focuses on in-page AI writing and editing. Select text on any page and get AI-powered rewrites, summaries, translations, and tone adjustments. The inline editing experience is smooth and well-designed. Supports GPT-4 and Claude. Standard proxy architecture with prompts routed through MaxAI's servers.
Pros
- Smooth inline text selection and editing
- AI-powered rewriting, summarizing, and translation
- Clean, non-intrusive interface
- Quick-access formatting options
Cons
- Proxy architecture for all prompts
- Limited advanced prompting capabilities
- No prompt library or template management
- Premium required for regular use
Verdict: Best for quick inline editing and text transformation. The selection-based AI editing is genuinely useful. For deeper prompt engineering and template management, more specialized tools are better.
Voila AI
BYOK-supporting — privacy option with internet search capability
Voila AI is one of the few AI Chrome extensions that supports BYOK alongside its default proxy mode. It includes internet search capability within AI responses, which adds real-time information to answers. The BYOK implementation is decent but less polished than dedicated BYOK tools. Feature set sits between basic chat and full prompt management.
Pros
- Supports BYOK (Bring Your Own Keys) mode
- Internet search within AI responses
- Clean, minimal interface
- Both proxy and BYOK options available
Cons
- BYOK implementation less polished than dedicated BYOK tools
- Smaller template library than competitors
- No prompt library export (JSON/CSV)
- Internet search can sometimes produce outdated results
Verdict: One of the few extensions offering BYOK. The internet search feature is genuinely useful for real-time queries. For serious BYOK with prompt management and template organization, Prompt Anything Pro is more complete.
Quick Comparison
Top 4 tools at a glance
| Feature | Prompt Anything Pro | HARPA AI | Monica AI | Sider AI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Data architecture | BYOK (direct to AI) | Proxy | Proxy | Proxy |
| AI models | 17 (no caps) | GPT-4, Claude, Gemini | 10-15 (tier-limited) | Multiple (credit-limited) |
| Monthly cost | $6.99 + ~$1-9 API | Credit-based | $14.99-$39 | $10+ |
| Lifetime option | $49.99 | No | No | No |
| Image generation | No | No | Yes (DALL-E) | Limited |
| Prompt templates | 45 across 10 categories | Automation-focused | Basic | Basic |
| Data export | JSON/CSV | No | No | No |
Your keys. Your data. Direct to AI providers.
Prompt Anything Pro: 17 models, 45 templates, BYOK privacy. $49.99 lifetime — 70-90% less than proxy alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
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