The AI agent race just got hotter. ByteDance, the tech giant behind TikTok, has launched Coze Space—a new AI-powered platform that lets users delegate tasks to specialized “expert agents” ranging from stock analysts to travel planners. Currently in invite-only beta, Coze Space is being touted as a potential rival to Manus, the viral AI agent that dominated headlines last month. But how does it stack up? Let’s dive in.
Coze Space positions itself as a one-stop productivity hub where users can assign complex tasks to AI agents. Need a market research report? A personalized stock analysis? A multi-day travel itinerary? Coze’s agents promise to handle it all by breaking down requests into subtasks, tapping into tools like browsers, code editors, and integrated plugins (like Gaode Maps or Feishu Docs).
The platform offers two modes:
- Explore Mode Fast, automated task execution for time-sensitive needs.
- Plan Mode Step-by-step execution with user oversight for intricate projects.
Early testers praise its ability to generate polished outputs like HTML travel guides or financial reports in under 30 minutes. However, bugs remain—like failed Python script executions or inconsistent API permissions—highlighting its “work-in-progress” status.
While both platforms aim to automate workflows, their approaches differ starkly. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Coze Space | Manus | |
| Core Strength | Seamless integration with ByteDance’s ecosystem (e.g., Doubao, Feishu) | Autonomous task execution via multi-agent architecture and VM sandbox |
| User Experience | Dual modes for speed vs. precision; plugin support (MCP protocol) | High transparency (users can observe task execution in real-time) |
| Limitations | No multi-modal capabilities (e.g., video/image analysis) | Slow execution speed; closed-source model |
| Commercial Strategy | Free during beta; hints of tiered pricing for expert agents | Paid tiers (39–39–199/month) rolled out post-beta |
Coze’s edge lies in ByteDance’s vast app ecosystem, allowing agents to tap into tools like Douyin’s recommendation algorithms or Lark’s collaboration features. Manus, meanwhile, shines in raw autonomy—like autonomously screening job resumes or analyzing stocks without human intervention.
Coze Space’s debut signals a broader shift. Tech giants like ByteDance, Tencent, and Huawei are racing to dominate the AI agent space, leveraging their data, compute power, and app ecosystems. For startups like Manus, this poses existential risks—ByteDance could easily replicate their features and scale faster.
Yet, niche players aren’t doomed. As industry experts note, startups can thrive by specializing in verticals (e.g., AI coding or healthcare analytics) where deep expertise trumps broad integration.
1. Ecosystem Battles: ByteDance’s ability to integrate Coze with apps like Douyin or Lark could redefine social commerce and content creation. Imagine agents auto-generating TikTok scripts or optimizing live-stream logistics.
2. The Open-Source Gap: While Manus remains proprietary, ByteDance has open-sourced projects like Agent TARS—a framework for building GUI-controlled agents. This could democratize agent development.
3. Monetization Puzzles: Coze’s free-for-now model contrasts with Manus’ paid tiers. Will subscription fatigue set in, or will “agent-as-a-service” become the next SaaS goldmine?
Coze Space is a promising entry, but it’s still early days. For now, Manus retains its crown in task autonomy, while Coze leverages ByteDance’s ecosystem for seamless tool integration. The real winner? Users, who now have more AI-powered options to streamline their workflows.
As the agent race accelerates, one thing’s clear: the future of productivity isn’t just about smarter AI—it’s about which platform can best connect AI to the tools we use daily.