# Google Assistant vs Merge

The clearest difference is rating: Google Assistant at 4.7 against Merge's 3.3. Google Assistant also leads on review sentiment (50% vs 13%) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). Merge's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Merge sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Google Assistant asks for nothing beyond the download.

Google Assistant holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Google Assistant has 67K ratings behind it against 360, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Google Assistant's written reviews are positive against 13% of Merge's.

Google Assistant ships an update every 2 months, Merge fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Google Assistant | Merge |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (67K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-assistant/id1220976145/reviews)** | [3.3 (360 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-connect-android-watches/id6698894276/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **67K** | 360 |
| Positive reviews | **50.4% of reviews** | 13.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 255 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Google](https://appshunter.io/developer/281956209) | [Merge Labs Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1769410270) |

## What reviewers say

### Google Assistant

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/google-assistant/id1220976145)

This app assists with daily tasks, offering quick answers, navigation, and communication. It helps manage your day by setting reminders, playing music, and providing weather updates. Your privacy and security are prioritized with accessible controls.

**Highlights:** Send text messages, Set reminders, Play music, Navigate places, Get weather information, Manage privacy controls, Delete activity

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful assistant
- 🚀 Responsive voice recognition
- 🎉 Fun and engaging
- 🔍 Accurate information lookup
- 🤖 Better than Siri

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unreliable
- 💤 Slow and unresponsive
- 🔒 Privacy concerns
- 🤔 Confusing interface
- 🚫 Limited functionality on iOS

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to connect to Bluetooth devices
- Inconsistent voice command recognition
- Reminders and notifications not working
- Blank screens and crashes
- Issues with syncing across devices

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Ability to edit reminders and lists
- Better integration with Apple devices
- More customization options
- Support for additional languages


### Merge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/merge-connect-android-watches/id6698894276)

Connect your Wear OS Android watch to your iPhone for notifications, calls, music control, and health data syncing. Easily manage alerts, find your devices, and keep contacts updated with a user-friendly interface.

**Highlights:** iPhone notifications on watch, Make/receive calls from watch, Sync health data to Apple Health, Music playback control, Contacts sync, Find iPhone/Watch feature

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basic Monthly Plan | $3.99 | per month |
| Pro Monthly Plan | $5.99 | per month |
| Basic Annual Plan | $35.99 | per year |
| Pro Annual Plan | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Good idea for connecting Samsung watches to iPhones
- 🚀 Works well when it's connected

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Locking features behind a paywall
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🐛 Frequent disconnection issues

**Reported bugs**

- Notifications not working properly
- Compatibility issues with certain devices

**Requested features**

- Offer a one-time purchase option
- Provide a free version with limited functionality
- Improve stability and reliability of the connection


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Google Assistant free?

Google Assistant is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Merge free?

Merge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Google Assistant or Merge?

Google Assistant is rated higher. Google Assistant averages 4.7 out of 5 from 67K ratings, while Merge averages 3.3 from 360 ratings.

### Do Google Assistant or Merge have ads?

Google Assistant shows ads; Merge does not.

### Which is updated more often, Google Assistant or Merge?

Google Assistant ships an update every 2 months, and Merge fortnightly. Most recently, Google Assistant was updated on November 3, 2026 and Merge on October 31, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*