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China’s AI landscape just got more competitive. Manus, a new AI platform that has drawn comparisons to DeepSeek, is now publicly accessible—with a limited-time offer of 1,000 free credits for new users. While it’s not a game-changer in terms of features compared to industry giants like ChatGPT, Manus is gaining attention for its deep research capabilities, agent-like task management, and surprisingly open responses to politically sensitive topics.
The Rise of Manus:
Manus is positioning itself as a versatile AI assistant with serious potential. Designed to handle research-intensive tasks and act semi-autonomously, Manus allows users to offload multi-step queries while focusing on other responsibilities. It’s already being touted by some early adopters as one of the most impressive AI tools available.
Despite initial access hurdles, public signup is now open via its website and mobile apps on both iOS and Android. Once registered, users receive 1,000 free credits—enough to test its capabilities but not much more.
What Can Manus Actually Do?
Manus is capable of:
– Producing in-depth, multi-source reports
– Performing data analysis
– Creating interactive simulations from current events
– Assisting in education and training contexts
Unlike its predecessors, Manus doesn’t shy away from politically sensitive queries. For instance, it was able to generate a detailed report on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests—something rival Chinese AIs like DeepSeek are known to censor.
The Catch: Limited Free Use
Each task on Manus consumes a significant number of credits. In one example, two complex queries—one about Tesla’s future and another about a historical event—used up half of the 1,000-credit allotment. While the depth of response was impressive, users may find the free plan restrictive.
Pricing Breakdown
Once free credits are gone, users must choose between paid tiers:
– Manus Starter: $39/month for 3,900 credits and two concurrent tasks.
– Manus Pro: $199/month for 19,000 credits and five simultaneous tasks.
These pricing tiers suggest that Manus is targeting professionals and researchers who prioritize depth over frequency of interaction.
What Undercode Say:
Manus reflects an emerging shift in Chinese AI philosophy—less censorship, more ambition, and a strong move toward agentic intelligence.
1. Deeper Research Focus Than ChatGPT?
While ChatGPT is a master of general knowledge and creative writing, Manus leans heavily into structured research. Its reports resemble those from human analysts, citing multiple conflicting sources and explaining its reasoning in real-time. This transparency enhances trust in its results.
2. Agent-Like Functionality
One standout feature is Manus’s ability to handle tasks autonomously. Rather than asking follow-up questions or waiting for user input, it proceeds through logical steps to generate outcomes. This is particularly valuable for use cases in academic research, market analysis, or journalism.
3. Handling of Sensitive Topics
Perhaps the boldest move from Manus is its apparent lack of censorship. By openly covering events like Tiananmen Square, it differentiates itself in a politically constrained ecosystem. Whether this freedom lasts is uncertain, but it’s a defining feature for now.
4. Value vs. Cost
The free tier is too short-lived to allow regular usage. At around $10 per query, Manus is priced for premium users. Unless you’re generating commercial-level reports or conducting deep research, the return on investment might not be ideal.
5. User Experience
Users report a smooth UI on both desktop and mobile. However, the credit drain per task may cause frustration, especially if a report doesn’t hit the mark on the first try.
6. Ideal Use Cases
– Competitive intelligence
– Educational tools for complex topics
– Journalism research
– Historical analysis with opposing viewpoints
– Business planning and simulations
7. Comparison with DeepSeek and ChatGPT
Manus feels like a hybrid. It borrows DeepSeek’s technical capability but avoids its censorship. It’s not as conversational as ChatGPT, but it’s more effective in mission-specific queries requiring structure and citation.
8. Room for Growth
To become a true competitor, Manus will need to:
– Reduce credit consumption per task
– Introduce a lower-cost or freemium tier
– Continue offering uncensored outputs
– Add multilingual support beyond Chinese and English
9. Undercode Verdict
Manus is ambitious and surprisingly polished, but still early-stage. For power users and researchers, it’s worth exploring. For casual users? Wait and see if they launch a more affordable option.
Fact Checker Results
- Manus does currently allow public signups via app and website—verified.
- It does produce reports on sensitive Chinese history—tested and confirmed.
- Free credits are indeed limited to approximately four complex queries.
This AI might not be the revolution, but it’s certainly a strong contender.
References:
Reported By: www.techradar.com
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