# Manus vs n8n

> Manus: General AI agent that plans, researches, codes and delivers finished work autonomously
> n8n: Build and self-host workflow automations and AI agents with visual nodes and custom code

- Manus profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/manus
- n8n profile: https://finderatlas.com/tools/n8n
- Comparison page: https://finderatlas.com/compare/manus-vs-n8n
- Last reviewed: October 2026

## Verdict

Manus is listed under AI Assistants and n8n under Productivity. n8n scores higher in FinderAtlas's editorial review (8.3 vs 8.0 out of 10), led by feature depth and value for money. Both have a free plan or trial. Only Manus is available on Windows, macOS and iOS.

### 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.

### Choose n8n if

- You want a tool built for Teams that want self-hostable automation with code-level control and AI agent workflows.
- Free self-hosted Community Edition with almost the full feature set and no license key.
- Execution-based pricing counts a whole workflow run as one execution, however many steps it has.

## Pricing

| | Manus | n8n |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Free plan or trial | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | $0 | $0 |

## Features

| Feature | Manus | n8n |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Autonomous Task Execution | Yes | Not listed |
| Wide Research | Yes | Not listed |
| Web App and Game Builder | Yes | Not listed |
| Slides, Design, Image and Video | Yes | Not listed |
| Browser Operator | Yes | Not listed |
| Automations and Mail Manus | Yes | Not listed |
| Cloud Computer | Yes | Not listed |
| Agent Skills and Projects | Yes | Not listed |
| MCP Connectors and Integrations | Yes | Not listed |
| Model Choice | Yes | Not listed |
| Visual Workflow Canvas | Not listed | Yes |
| Code in Any Step | Not listed | Yes |
| AI Agents and RAG | Not listed | Yes |
| MCP Support | Not listed | Yes |
| Human-in-the-Loop Approvals | Not listed | Yes |
| 500+ Integrations | Not listed | Yes |
| Faster Iteration | Not listed | Yes |
| Templates | Not listed | Yes |
| Enterprise Controls | Not listed | Yes |
| Flexible Deployment | Not listed | Yes |

## Platforms

| Platform | Manus | n8n |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | No |
| macOS | Yes | No |
| iOS | Yes | No |
| Android | Yes | No |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | No | No |
| Slack App | Yes | No |

## 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.

## n8n strengths

- Free self-hosted Community Edition with almost the full feature set and no license key.
- Execution-based pricing counts a whole workflow run as one execution, however many steps it has.
- JavaScript and Python can be used in any step, which suits technical users.
- More than 500 integrations and over 10,000 community templates.
- On-premises and air-gapped deployment plus SSO, LDAP and audit logging for enterprises.

## n8n limitations

- Fair-code license is not OSI-approved open source.
- Business tier starts at about €667 per month billed annually and is self-hosted only for now, with a Cloud waitlist.
- The Community Edition lacks projects, SSO, Git version control and log streaming.
- Cloud Starter is capped at 2.5K executions per month and 5 concurrent executions.

## FAQ

**Is Manus better than n8n?**

It depends on your workflow. Manus is built for delegating multi-step research, presentations, data analysis and quick web app prototypes to an autonomous agent. n8n is built for Teams that want self-hostable automation with code-level control and AI agent workflows.

**What are the key feature differences between Manus and n8n?**

Manus: General AI agent that plans, researches, codes and delivers finished work autonomously. n8n: Build and self-host workflow automations and AI agents with visual nodes and custom code.

**Does Manus or n8n have a free plan?**

Yes, both do. Manus is freemium and n8n is freemium, and each has a free plan or trial.

**Which is cheaper, Manus or n8n?**

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