Manus AI, a developing AI agent platform from China, has launched its first paid subscription plans, starting at $39 per month, alongside the release of its iOS app and an upgrade to its AI engine.
Highlights
Still in beta, the platform is designed to assist users with automated tasks, including website creation and document structuring.
Subscription Plans and Pricing Structure
Manus has introduced a tiered pricing model to offer different levels of access based on user needs:
- Base Plan – $39 per month, includes 3,900 credits and supports two concurrent tasks.
- Premium Plan – $199 per month, provides 19,900 credits, allows five concurrent tasks, and offers priority access during peak times.
- Additional Credits – Users can purchase top-up packs, though specific pricing details have not been disclosed.
Platform Scaling and User Accessibility
Manus has acknowledged scaling and accessibility challenges, temporarily limiting user access as it works on infrastructure improvements. The company addressed these concerns in a post on X, stating that optimizing resource consumption remains a priority.
With a waiting list of 2 million users, the introduction of subscription plans and the launch of an iOS app are steps toward expanding access and improving user experience.
Technical Enhancements and AI Model Upgrade
The platform has upgraded its AI backend to Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet, which could enhance response quality and task execution efficiency. This update aims to refine automated workflows and improve overall performance.
Strategic Partnerships and Regulatory Compliance
Manus has partnered with Alibaba’s Qwen AI models to support its domestic rollout. Additionally, its AI assistant, Monica, has completed regulatory registration for generative AI applications in China, ensuring compliance with local guidelines and strengthening its market position.
Competition
The $199 premium plan positions Manus competitively within the AI agent market, aligning with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Pro in terms of pricing. This suggests a strategy to establish itself as a viable alternative in the growing AI automation space.
While Manus has positioned itself as a promising AI agent for digital workflows, early testing suggests that some features may still require refinement.
