# CrewAI vs Manus

> CrewAI: Open-source multi-agent framework and enterprise platform for building and running AI agent workflows
> Manus: General AI agent that plans, researches, codes and delivers finished work autonomously

- CrewAI profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/crewai
- Manus profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/manus
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/crewai-vs-manus
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

CrewAI is listed under Developer Tools and Manus under AI Assistants. Both have a free plan or trial. Only CrewAI is available on CLI. Only Manus is available on Windows, macOS and iOS.

### Choose CrewAI if

- You want a tool built for building multi-agent workflows in Python and moving them to a managed, governed runtime.
- MIT-licensed core framework with a large open-source community (about 59,900 GitHub stars).
- Separates agent collaboration (Crews) from deterministic workflow control (Flows).

### Choose Manus if

- You want a tool built for delegating multi-step research, presentations, data analysis and quick web app prototypes to an autonomous agent.
- Handles end-to-end tasks, from research to finished slides or web apps, in one workflow.
- Available on web, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android, with an API and Slack integration.

## Pricing

| | CrewAI | Manus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | CrewAI | Manus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Crews | Yes | Not listed |
| Flows | Yes | Not listed |
| Crew Studio | Yes | Not listed |
| Flexible Tools | Yes | Not listed |
| Managed Deployment | Yes | Not listed |
| Observability | Yes | Not listed |
| Guardrails and Scheduling | Yes | Not listed |
| Enterprise Governance | Yes | Not listed |
| REST API Access | Yes | Not listed |
| Autonomous Task Execution | Not listed | Yes |
| Wide Research | Not listed | Yes |
| Web App and Game Builder | Not listed | Yes |
| Slides, Design, Image and Video | Not listed | Yes |
| Browser Operator | Not listed | Yes |
| Automations and Mail Manus | Not listed | Yes |
| Cloud Computer | Not listed | Yes |
| Agent Skills and Projects | Not listed | Yes |
| MCP Connectors and Integrations | Not listed | Yes |
| Model Choice | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | CrewAI | Manus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | No | Yes |
| macOS | No | Yes |
| iOS | No | Yes |
| Android | No | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| CLI | Yes | No |
| Slack App | No | Yes |

## CrewAI strengths

- MIT-licensed core framework with a large open-source community (about 59,900 GitHub stars).
- Separates agent collaboration (Crews) from deterministic workflow control (Flows).
- Free AMP tier includes a visual editor and 50 workflow executions per month.
- Enterprise options include SSO, RBAC, PII redaction and private VPC deployment.
- Built-in tracing, guardrails and scheduling on the platform.

## CrewAI limitations

- Paid pricing is not published; only a free tier and contact-sales Enterprise are shown.
- Free tier is limited to 50 workflow executions per month.
- Code-first Python framework, so it needs developer skills outside Crew Studio.

## Manus strengths

- Handles end-to-end tasks, from research to finished slides or web apps, in one workflow.
- Available on web, macOS, Windows, iOS and Android, with an API and Slack integration.
- Free tier needs no credit card and refreshes 300 credits daily.
- Broad connector support, including MCP servers and Zapier access to 8,000+ apps.
- Parallel sub-agent research through Wide Research.

## Manus limitations

- Credit-based pricing makes costs hard to predict; complex tasks can drain monthly credits quickly.
- Official pricing page is not readable without JavaScript, and third-party and App Store prices differ.
- Ownership and corporate structure have been unsettled after the Meta deal was ordered unwound.
- Free tier allows only one concurrent task.

## FAQ

**Is CrewAI better than Manus?**

It depends on your workflow. CrewAI is built for building multi-agent workflows in Python and moving them to a managed, governed runtime. Manus is built for delegating multi-step research, presentations, data analysis and quick web app prototypes to an autonomous agent.

**What are the key feature differences between CrewAI and Manus?**

CrewAI: Open-source multi-agent framework and enterprise platform for building and running AI agent workflows. Manus: General AI agent that plans, researches, codes and delivers finished work autonomously.

**Does CrewAI or Manus have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. CrewAI is freemium and Manus is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, CrewAI or Manus?**

Both can be used for free. Paid plans differ in limits and features, so compare the tiers in the pricing table above.