Manus is making waves in China’s AI ecosystem since its preview launch early March 2025; now taking a bold step toward commercialization with two subscription tiers- $39/month for Starter and $199/month for Pro. Let’s unpack what this means for users, the industry and why some have called Manus “breakout hit”.

Developed by Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, Manus isn’t just another chatbot. It’s designed to act—autonomously handling complex tasks like building websites, analyzing stocks, or even screening job applications with minimal human input. Think of it as a Swiss Army knife for productivity, powered by AI that doesn’t just think but executes.

But here’s the kicker: Manus achieved state-of-the-art (SOTA) performance on the GAIA benchmark, outperforming OpenAI’s models in task-oriented scenarios. That’s a big deal—especially since it’s built on domestic infrastructure, including a partnership with Alibaba’s Tongyi Qianwen to ensure full functionality on Chinese platforms.

Let’s cut to the chase. Manus operates on a credit-based system, where tasks consume credits depending on complexity and time. For example, designing and deploying a custom website eats up 600 credits and takes 40 minutes. Here’s how the plans stack up:

Unused credits reset monthly, but free or bonus credits never expire.

1. Speed to Market: Manus shifted from free beta to paid tiers in under a month—a sign of confidence (or urgency?) in its product.

2. Invite-Only Controversy: Critics call the invite-code system a marketing gimmick, but early adopters praise its innovation.

3. Domestic Tech Push: By partnering with Tongyi Qianwen, Manus aligns with China’s drive for self-reliance in AI infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Butterfly Effect is reportedly in talks with U.S. investors for a funding round that could push its valuation to $500 million—a fivefold jump.

Manus isn’t just selling subscriptions—it’s riding a wave. Analysts at CITIC Securities predict a surge of homegrown AI agents in April 2025, fueled by advances in reinforcement learning and tool integration. With rivals like Claude 3.7 Sonnet heating up the global race, Manus’ success could hinge on its ability to balance scalability with user trust.

For now, Manus remains in closed beta, accessible only via invite codes. But its pricing model sets a precedent: AI agents aren’t just toys—they’re tools demanding serious investment. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a team leader, the question isn’t if you’ll use an AI agent, but which one.

As Butterfly Effect gears up for its next chapter, keep an eye on how Manus evolves. Will it become the ChatGPT of task automation? Or will newer entrants steal the spotlight? One thing’s clear: the AI agent revolution is here, and it’s moving fast.

Got thoughts on AI agents? Drop a comment below! And for more updates, check out Manus’ official site or follow their partnership journey with Alibaba Cloud.

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