# DeepSeek vs Manus

> DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models
> Manus: General AI agent that plans, researches, codes and delivers finished work autonomously

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

## Verdict

DeepSeek and Manus are both AI Assistants tools. DeepSeek scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.8 vs 8.0 out of 10). Both have a free plan or trial. Only Manus is available on Slack App.

### Choose DeepSeek if

- You want a tool built for Low-cost API integration.
- Web chat and mobile apps are free.
- API output costs from $0.60 per 1M tokens (Flash, off-peak), well below most frontier providers.

### 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

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

## Features

| Feature | DeepSeek | Manus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| V4 model family | Yes | Not listed |
| Thinking mode | Yes | Not listed |
| Open weights | Yes | Not listed |
| OpenAI and Anthropic compatible API | Yes | Not listed |
| Tool calls and JSON output | Yes | Not listed |
| Search and Fetch APIs | Yes | Not listed |
| Agent tool integrations | Yes | Not listed |
| DeepSeek Harness | Yes | Not listed |
| Vision on Flash | 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 | DeepSeek | Manus |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Slack App | No | Yes |

## DeepSeek strengths

- Web chat and mobile apps are free
- API output costs from $0.60 per 1M tokens (Flash, off-peak), well below most frontier providers
- Open weights for V4 and earlier models on Hugging Face
- 1M-token context and 384K max output on both API models
- API works with both OpenAI and Anthropic SDKs and several coding agents

## DeepSeek limitations

- Peak-hour API rates are double the off-peak rates on weekday mornings UTC
- deepseek-v4-pro does not support vision input
- No image generation
- Data is processed by a company based in China, which some organizations cannot accept

## 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 DeepSeek better than Manus?**

It depends on your workflow. DeepSeek is built for Low-cost API integration. 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 DeepSeek and Manus?**

DeepSeek: Free AI chat app and low-cost API running DeepSeek's open-weights V4 models. Manus: General AI agent that plans, researches, codes and delivers finished work autonomously.

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

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

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

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