Manus AI: The "Action-First" Agent That’s Shaking Up the Industry
If you’ve been following the AI space recently, you’ve likely heard the buzz surrounding Manus AI. It’s not just another chatbot that writes poems or summarizes emails; it’s being hailed as the first true autonomous agent—an AI that doesn't just talk about doing work, but actually does it.
But with the hype comes a storm of questions. Is it really better than ChatGPT? Is it safe? And who is actually behind this new tool?
We’ve dug into the most common questions people are asking on Google to bring you the definitive guide to Manus AI.
1. Is Manus AI a Chinese Company?
This is one of the most searched questions, and the answer requires a bit of nuance.
- The Short Answer: Yes, but with a global corporate structure.
- The Details: Manus AI was developed by Butterfly Effect Technology, a startup founded by Chinese entrepreneurs Xiao Hong (Red Xiao) and Ji Yichao (Peak Ji). The development teams are primarily based in Beijing and Wuhan.
- The Corporate Twist: While its roots and talent are in China, the legal entity is registered in Singapore. This is a common move for Chinese tech startups looking to serve a global market and navigate international regulations.
- Investors: The company has attracted significant funding from both Chinese giants like Tencent and major Silicon Valley firms like Benchmark.
2. Is Manus AI Better Than ChatGPT?
The "Manus vs. ChatGPT" debate is less about which is "better" and more about what you need to get done. They are fundamentally different tools.
The Core Difference
- ChatGPT is Advisory: You ask a question, and it gives you an answer. It is a conversationalist.
- Manus AI is Agentic: You give it a goal, and it executes a plan. It is a worker.
| Feature | ChatGPT (O-Series / GPT-4) | Manus AI |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Strength | Conversation, Creative Writing, Quick Info | Multi-step Workflows, Independent Research, Coding |
| Autonomy | Low (Needs constant prompting) | High (Self-corrects and navigates tools) |
| Speed | Instant responses | Slow (Takes time to "think" and execute actions) |
| Transparency | Black box | "Glass box" (Shows you its screen/steps) |
Verdict: If you need a quick email draft, stick with ChatGPT. If you need someone to "Go research the top 5 CRM tools, compare their pricing in a spreadsheet, and email me the file," Manus AI wins hands down.
3. What Can Manus AI Do?
Unlike traditional LLMs that trap you in a chat box, Manus has access to a virtual computer. It operates inside a secure cloud environment (sandbox) where it can use a browser, write code, and manage files just like a human employee.
Top Capabilities:
- Autonomous Research: It doesn't just Google one thing; it opens dozens of tabs, reads conflicting reports, synthesizes the data, and cites sources.
- Data Analysis: You can upload a raw Excel file, and Manus can clean the data, generate Python charts, and provide a summary report without you writing a single formula.
- Web Automation: It can log into websites (if you allow it), fill out forms, and navigate complex UI to retrieve specific information.
- Coding & Deployment: It can write code, debug its own errors when the code fails, and even deploy simple web apps.
4. What Is the Controversy with Manus AI?
Despite its impressive capabilities, Manus AI has faced its fair share of skepticism and controversy since its launch in March 2025.
The "Wrapper" Accusation
Critics have revealed that Manus AI isn't powered by a secret "super brain." Instead, it is a sophisticated orchestration layer (or "wrapper") built on top of existing models—primarily Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Alibaba’s Qwen.
Data Privacy & Security
Because Manus operates a virtual computer that acts on your behalf, it requires a high level of trust. Giving an AI agent access to your accounts or sensitive data raises valid security concerns regarding prompt injections.
The "Invite Code" Scalping
During its closed beta, demand was so high that invite codes were being sold on black markets for upwards of $7,000. This created a frenzy that many felt was artificial scarcity designed to build hype.
5. Other Key Questions Answered
What LLM does Manus AI use?
It uses a multi-model approach. It dynamically routes tasks to the best model for the job. Complex reasoning often goes to Claude 3.5 Sonnet, while other tasks might utilize Qwen to save costs.
How much does Manus AI cost?
Manus operates on a credit system because autonomous agents are expensive to run.
- Starter Plan: ~$39/month (Good for light automation)
- Pro Plan: ~$199/month (For heavy power users)
- Free Tier: Extremely limited, mostly for testing.
Who is the owner of Manus AI?
The company is owned by Butterfly Effect Technology, led by CEO Xiao Hong, who previously founded the social app Nice.
Final Thoughts for 2025
Manus AI represents a shift from "Chatbot" to "Actionbot." While it may not replace ChatGPT for creative writing, it is carving out a massive niche for professionals who want to automate the boring, repetitive clicking and scrolling of their daily workflows.
Have you tried Manus AI yet? Let us know in the comments if it lived up to the hype!