Launched in March 2025 by Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, Manus AI positions itself as the world's first fully autonomous AI agent. This next-generation tool goes beyond traditional chatbots by autonomously executing complex, multi-step tasks—from research and coding to strategic planning—without continuous human oversight.
According to MIT Technology Review, Manus achieved an impressive 86.5% on the GAIA benchmark, outperforming competitors in real-world task completion.
This review explores Manus AI’s capabilities, features, pricing, and real-world performance, along with actionable insights for potential users.
What Is Manus AI?
Manus AI is an autonomous artificial intelligence agent designed to independently execute complex workflows. Unlike conventional AI models that require step-by-step instructions, Manus operates with minimal human intervention.
Key Details:
- Developer: Butterfly Effect (China)
- Launch Date: March 6, 2025
- Architecture: Multi-model system integrating Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet and Alibaba’s Qwen
- Core Function: Autonomous task execution via a multi-agent system
Standout Features of Manus AI
1️⃣ Autonomous Task Execution
Manus AI can:
- Interpret goals and devise strategies.
- Break tasks into subtasks and solve them sequentially or in parallel.
- Adapt workflows based on outcomes.
Example: When tasked with creating a marketing strategy, Manus autonomously conducts market research, analyzes competitors, and generates a campaign.
2️⃣ Multi-Agent Architecture
Specialized sub-agents collaborate like a team:
- Research Agent: Data gathering
- Coding Agent: Software development
- Writing Agent: Content creation
- Planner Agent: Task coordination
3️⃣ Asynchronous Operation
- Runs persistently in the background.
- Remembers context across sessions.
- Notifies users upon task completion.
4️⃣ Natural Language Interface
Users can issue high-level prompts like:
"Find five SaaS competitors and summarize their pricing models."
How to Try Manus AI
- Visit Manus AI’s website.
- Click “Try Manus” and join the waitlist.
- Submit your details and verify via email.
- Access the chat interface to assign tasks.
Pricing:
- Starter Plan: $39/month (3,900 credits)
- Pro Plan: $199/month (19,900 credits)
Real-World Performance
Task 1: Journalist Research
- Compiled a list of 30 tech journalists with affiliations and sample work.
- Struggled with paywalled content but improved with feedback.
Task 2: Apartment Hunting
- Filtered NYC listings based on budget, location, and amenities.
- Adjusted criteria dynamically after user clarification.
Task 3: Innovator Nominations
- Identified 50 global candidates for MIT’s "Innovators Under 35."
- Leaned heavily toward academia; required manual diversity adjustments.
Time-Saving Impact:
| Task | Traditional Time | Manus AI Time | Time Saved |
|---------------------|------------------|---------------|------------|
| Travel Itinerary | 2–3 hours | 15 minutes | ~88% |
| Financial Analysis | 3–4 hours | 15 minutes | ~93% |
Pros and Cons
✅ Strengths:
- Autonomous multi-step execution
- Strong GAIA benchmark performance
- Asynchronous processing
❌ Limitations:
- High credit consumption
- Slow under heavy loads
- Beta-stage instability
Alternatives Comparison
| Tool | Best For | Autonomy Level |
|--------------|---------------------------|----------------|
| Manus AI | Complex workflows | High |
| ChatGPT | Conversational tasks | Medium |
| Jasper | Marketing content | Low |
FAQ
❓ Is Manus AI free?
Yes, new users receive 1,000 free credits during the beta phase.
❓ Can Manus AI generate images?
No, it processes text and code but lacks native multimodal capabilities.
❓ What’s the AI agent trend in 2025?
Shift from chatbots to fully autonomous agents handling end-to-end workflows.
Final Verdict
Manus AI excels in autonomous task execution but faces challenges with cost and stability. Ideal for professionals needing deep automation, though casual users may prefer simpler alternatives.
Ready to test Manus AI? 👉 Start your trial