ChatGPT vs Manus: pricing, features and which to choose

ChatGPT is OpenAI’s conversational AI service, launched in 2022 as a free research preview fine-tuned from GPT-3.5. It supports follow-up dialogue, web search, voice, files, vision, data analysis, image creation, coding, deep research, Projects, memory, custom GPTs, ChatGPT Work, and Codex. Current offerings include GPT-6 Astra, GPT-6 Sol, GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6.1 Sol, GPT-5.6 Sol, GPT-5.6 Terra, and other tier-dependent models. Free access costs $0, while Pro costs $100 or $200 monthly, with Pro 500 at $500; Business costs $25 monthly or $240 annually per Standard seat, and Premium costs $125 monthly or $1,200 annually. Usage, context, tool access, and model availability vary considerably. Outputs can be inaccurate or non-unique, and API access is billed separately. Compared with Claude and similar assistants, ChatGPT suits users wanting broad multimodal tools, while privacy-sensitive organizations should consider Business or Enterprise.

A typical ChatGPT session starts with a typed prompt, uploaded file, voice request, or web search, then develops through follow-up questions, revisions, premise checks, and format changes. Depending on the plan, users can inspect images, analyze spreadsheets, create images, generate tables and charts, browse the web, conduct deep research, and organize work in Projects. Memory can preserve selected preferences across conversations, while Custom GPTs, scheduled tasks, ChatGPT Work, and Codex support repeatable workflows. The product also offers voice, vision, file uploads, data analysis, interactive tables, and a built-in browser, with access and limits varying by subscription. Business workspaces can connect Google Workspace, Slack, GitHub, Microsoft 365, and other internal tools under administrator controls, making ChatGPT adaptable for both individual tasks and coordinated organizational work.

ChatGPT is a broad general assistant, combining conversation, web search, file uploads, vision, data analysis, image creation, voice, projects, memory, custom GPTs, and Codex in one service. Its main strengths are convenience and breadth, while its main weaknesses are variable usage limits, potentially inaccurate or unsuitable output, and the need to pay separately for API access. It also is not presented as open source or self-hostable, which may rule it out for organizations requiring local control. Claude is a close competitor for writing, research, and coding, while Gemini may suit users deeply invested in Google services. Perplexity is a stronger choice for search-oriented answers with citations. Choose ChatGPT if one flexible workspace matters more than specialized search, a narrower interface, or on-premises deployment.

Manus is a general AI agent made by Butterfly Effect Pte. Ltd., the Singapore company behind the service. Butterfly Effect was founded in Beijing in 2022 by Xiao Hong, Yichao Ji, and Tao Zhang, then moved its headquarters and core team to Singapore in mid-2025. Manus reportedly had millions of users and more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue by December 2025. Meta announced an approximately $2 billion acquisition that month, but China ordered the transaction unwound on April 27, 2026. Manus formally resumed independent operations on September 1, 2026, with its founding team continuing to lead the company. A September 2026 report said Manus was discussing a $500 million fundraise at a $4 billion valuation, although that financing was not presented as completed.

Manus turns a natural-language goal into a multi-step task that runs in a cloud computer. A typical project can include web research, browser actions, file uploads, document creation, spreadsheet work, slide generation, website building, code, or deployment. Projects group related work, while connectors bring outside services into tasks. Scheduled Automations can run on a schedule, and the 2.0 release adds triggers for events such as new email, advertising changes, calendar events, Slack messages, or Notion updates. Manus Studio organizes documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, slides, websites, code, games, and video work. Its API creates and manages tasks, sends follow-up messages, uploads files, receives webhooks, and supports built-in or custom skills.

Manus has a broad task surface, but its credit pricing makes the cost of a finished task difficult to predict. Credits do not roll over, and different projects consume different amounts. ChatGPT is closer to a conversational assistant and model-access product, while Manus centers on delegated tasks that return files, sites, or reports. Claude emphasizes chat, writing, and coding workflows. Replit focuses more narrowly on software projects and repository-style development, while Manus covers research, documents, slides, media, and applications. The privacy policy permits processing user content to deliver and improve services, and Team includes a training opt-out. Pick Manus if you want one workspace for varied, multi-step deliverables and accept credit-based billing.