Description
Manus is an autonomous AI agent, built by Butterfly Effect, that plans and executes multi-step tasks inside its own virtual computer rather than just replying in a chat window. It can browse the web, write and run code, build and deploy websites, generate slides, and hand off research to parallel sub-agents, all from a single prompt.
Key Features
- Virtual Computer: Gives the agent its own sandboxed environment to browse, run code, and manage files.
- Wide Research: Runs parallel sub-agents for high-intensity research tasks across many sources at once.
- Website and Slide Builder: Deploys professional-level websites and generates slide decks with a clear structure.
- Advanced Research: Conducts in-depth research on any topic and compiles it into a report.
- Scheduled Tasks: Runs recurring tasks automatically without a fresh prompt each time.
- Multi-Agent System: Plans, delegates, and executes steps toward a goal rather than only generating text.
How It Works
A user describes a goal in a single prompt — research a topic, build a website, put together a report — and Manus breaks it into steps, working inside its own virtual computer rather than handing control back to the user between actions. For research-heavy requests, Wide Research spins up parallel sub-agents to cover more ground at once, while Scheduled Tasks let a user set up recurring jobs that run automatically. Every task consumes credits from the account’s monthly pool, with heavier actions like advanced research or Wide Research using more credits than a simple chat reply.
Technical Architecture & Overview
- Core Engine: A multi-agent planning system running on Manus’s own model line, currently Manus 1.6 and Manus 1.6 Max.
- Deployment: Web app, plus desktop and mobile apps.
- API Surface: A published API, Slack integration, and browser operator tools for automating actions on the open web.
- Known Limits: Built for solo use, with no shared team workspace or persistent memory across users; monthly credits do not roll over to the next cycle.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Free plan is genuinely usable, with daily refresh credits rather than a watered-down trial. | The credit-based model makes total monthly cost less predictable than a flat subscription. |
| Wide Research’s parallel sub-agents handle high-intensity research tasks competitors can’t match. | Monthly credits do not roll over, so unused capacity is lost at the end of each cycle. |
| Works inside its own virtual computer, so it can finish multi-step tasks without constant hand-holding. | There’s no shared team workspace or persistent memory across multiple users on an account. |
| Now operating independently again after a blocked 2026 acquisition, with active feature development continuing. | A proposed Meta acquisition being blocked by regulators added real uncertainty to the company’s ownership in 2026. |
Pricing
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | $0 (300 daily refresh credits) |
| Pro | From $20/month (4,000 monthly credits) |
| Team | From $20/seat/month (2-seat minimum) |
Platform Availability
Web | Desktop App | Mobile App | Browser Extension | API
Best For
Researchers and solopreneurs | Individuals wanting an agent that completes multi-step tasks independently
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Manus AI?
Manus is an autonomous AI agent that plans and executes multi-step tasks inside its own virtual computer, from web research to website deployment.
Is Manus free to use?
Yes, the Free plan includes 300 daily refresh credits and access to Manus 1.6 Lite in Agent Mode, with no credit card required.
How does Manus pricing work?
Manus uses a credit-based system: a monthly subscription includes a pool of credits that gets spent on every task the agent runs, rather than a flat per-seat fee.
What is Wide Research?
Wide Research runs parallel sub-agents on a single task, letting Manus cover high-intensity research across many sources at once.
Was Manus acquired by Meta?
Meta announced a planned acquisition in December 2025, but Chinese regulators blocked the deal in April 2026, and Manus is resuming operation as an independent company.
