Catenaa, Thursday, March 13, 2025-A new AI agent platform from China, Manus, has emerged as a potential competitor to OpenAI’s Deep Research and Operator agents.
Launched by Monica AI, the Beijing-based startup, Manus promises to be a “general AI agent” capable of performing tasks such as booking trips, analyzing stocks, and creating content. Manus operates without the need for users to configure APIs or set up complex environments, offering a simplified experience.
However, access to Manus is currently invite-only, creating a scarcity that has led to secondary markets where invitation codes have reportedly sold for up to 10 million yuan ($1.3 million).
While the platform is still in its early stages, some users have hailed its performance, with Andrew Wilkinson describing it as “absolutely insane.”
Despite this, others have raised doubts about its capabilities, citing issues with speed and execution.
Critics argue that Manus relies heavily on third-party models, including Claude and Qwen, rather than a proprietary foundational model, which some say diminishes its claim to be a revolutionary AI agent.
In response, a community-driven open-source project called OpenManus has gained attention. This alternative allows users to run AI agents locally, bypassing Manus’s limitations and offering more flexibility without invitation codes or fees.
Despite mixed feedback, Manus represents an exciting development in the rapidly expanding AI agent market, which is valued at $5.4 billion in 2024, with projected growth through 2030. As the battle for dominance in this space intensifies, Manus is positioning itself as a serious contender to OpenAI’s market leadership.
