Think of an AI that is not just talking and brainstorming with you, but doing things from A-Z without you raising a finger.
This is the bright new prospect we are promised by Manus AI, an interesting newcomer on the tech scene. Built by a Chinese startup named Monica.im.
Enter Manus, who showed up in March 2025, boasting to be the “first fully autonomous AI agent on the planet“.
It is not here to advise you, it is here to execute. In this review, we are gonna take a tour through what exactly Manus is (and what it is not), how it works in practice, where it shines brightest and where it struggles to hold up to the big dogs like OpenAI.
Where It Came From
Manus AI comes from Monica a company founded by a dude Xiao Hong who has been exploring AI ever since his college days at Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
In 2020, he started with Monica, a virtual AI assistant designed to aerify through your browser or phone, helping millions with the everyday chores.
We may not be privvy to know every single data in detail of how this was created or who is funding it.
Manus AI Speciality
And so Manus AI, what’s the deal? What you need to know about what it actually can do is:
1. It Works on Its Own
Most AIs are walking behind you down the path of creation, Manus instead gets in the driver seat. Japan bougie I’m going to Japan for a week, can you plan my trip? It would search for flights, reserve hotels, and outline your daily schedules.
For a full investigation on Tesla’s stock? Then it Will calculate and Will give you complete report. No babysitting required.
2. It Plays Well with Other Tools
Manus isn’t an island unto itself: it connects to stuff like web browsers, coding apps, and data tools to make things happen. Think of it as a powerful assistant that knows how to leverage every tool you have.
3. You Can Check In Anytime
You can check its progress on your phone while it is busy working. No need to hover—nice to know what’s on the stove.
4. It Delivers the Goods
Manus is all about the end product — no more half-baked answers, he provides the real deal, which may be a 20-page business assessment or a completed travel itinerary, ready to go.
With these tricks in his tool belt, Manus is a jack-of-all-trades – the guy you’d want to call for personal projects and big business jobs alike.
How It Performs: The GAIA Test
Manus has been tested using the GAIA benchmark, which checks how well AI can solve real-life problems.
This test has three levels of difficulty, and Manus performs really well. Here’s how it compares to OpenAI’s Deep Research and older top models:
| Level | Manus AI | OpenAI | Previous Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy (Level 1) | 86.5% | 74.3% | 67.9% |
| Medium (Level 2) | 70.1% | 69.1% | 67.4% |
| Hard (Level 3) | (Leading) | (Close) | (Behind) |
Manus takes the crown, especially on the easier stuff, and holds its own as things get tougher. We don’t have exact numbers for Level 3 yet, but early word is it’s still ahead.
That said, we don’t know exactly why it’s doing so well—better tech, smarter tricks, or just good teamwork with other tools? More details would help clear that up.
Here’s a breakdown of who can use Manus AI, written in a friendly, easy-to-read style that feels human and natural.
I’ll keep it simple and straight to the point, focusing on the kinds of people who’d find it useful based on what we know about it.
Who Can Use Manus AI?
Manus AI is designed as a helpful assistant for almost anyone with tasks to complete. Right now, it’s in an invite-only phase (as of March 7, 2025), so not everyone can access it yet.
But once it’s open, here’s who might benefit the most:
1. Busy People Looking to Save Time
If you’re juggling multiple tasks—like planning a trip, researching a big purchase, or organizing your schedule Manus could be a game-changer.
It can take over tasks like booking vacations or researching real estate options, saving you hours of effort.
2. Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs
Running a small business or side hustle? Manus can help you stay ahead. It can find suppliers, analyze competitors, or even create a growth strategy all without needing a big team.
It’s like having a smart assistant that never needs a break.
3. Students and Teachers
Students can use Manus to summarize research or analyze data for projects. Teachers might find it useful for creating lesson plans or designing interactive activities.
Imagine saying, “Create a week’s worth of 7th-grade science lessons,” and getting it done instantly.
4. Finance Enthusiasts and Investors
If you’re into stocks, crypto, or looking for the best insurance plan, Manus can help. It analyzes trends, compares options, and provides reports that are easy to understand—no finance degree needed.
5. Tech Enthusiasts and Early Adopters
If you love trying out new technology, Manus is still fresh and evolving. AI enthusiasts will enjoy testing it out and seeing what the future of AI looks like.
6. Businesses of All Sizes
Companies can use Manus to streamline tasks like analyzing job applications, generating sales reports, or researching new markets. It’s useful for both small teams and larger organizations looking to reduce manual work.
Who Can’t Use It (Yet)?
1. People Without Internet Access
Manus requires an internet connection to function, so if you’re offline, you won’t be able to use it.
2. Impatient Users
Since it’s invite-only for now, you’ll need a code or might have to buy access from resellers. If you’re not willing to wait, you’ll have to be patient.
3. Extremely Specialized Users
If your work is highly specialized—like brain surgery—Manus might not be advanced enough yet. It’s built as a general assistant, not an expert in niche fields
What’s Next for Manus
For now, you’ll need an invite to try Manus. You can check out manus.im or follow updates on X. Some rumors suggest it may become free or open-source soon, making it available to more users.
Once you get access, you can simply tell it what you need through their app or website, and it gets to work.
How It Compares to the Big Guys
Manus is up against big names like OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic. OpenAI’s Deep Research is great at answering complex questions, but it doesn’t complete tasks like Manus does.
ChatGPT and similar AI models are great at chatting and writing, but Manus focuses on getting things done. It’s more of an action-oriented AI.
Compared to DeepSeek, a Chinese AI that emerged earlier this year, Manus is ahead because it’s more focused on completing tasks rather than just analyzing information.
Where It Falls Short
1. Hard to Access
Since it’s invite-only, people are paying over $50 just to try it. This exclusivity builds hype but makes it difficult for regular users to access.
2. Lack of Transparency
We don’t know much about who built it or how it works. Is it truly new, or just a combination of existing AI models like Claude? More transparency would be helpful.
3. Real-World Performance
Demos look impressive, but how does it handle real-world challenges? That’s still unclear.
4. Accountability Issues
If it makes a big mistake—like giving incorrect financial advice—who is responsible for the error?
5. Internet Dependency
Since Manus relies on the web, it won’t work without an internet connection.
These challenges suggest that Manus still has room to grow before becoming a mainstream AI tool.
Conclusion
Manus has the potential to improve further. The team might make it free, add features like image and video handling, or integrate it with more applications.
As it grows, they’ll need to focus on making it fair and secure. If they get it right, Manus could transform AI from just a helpful tool into a true digital assistant.
It has some limitations now restricted access, secrecy, and questions about its real-world reliability—but its potential is huge. It’s not just another chatbot; it’s an AI that actively works on tasks.
Whether it’s the next big thing in AI or just an interesting step forward, Manus is worth keeping an eye on. Stay updated by visiting manus.im or following X for the latest news—it’s only getting started!
