Short answer
As of October 2026, the main Manus alternatives for business are ChatGPT Work, Claude Cowork, Perplexity Computer, OpenAI Dots and Oraculo. Manus is a general-purpose cloud agent for research, slides and websites. Switch when you need always-on work, a business phone line, WhatsApp, or help with setup.
Why people look for a Manus alternative
Manus is a general-purpose AI agent that runs tasks in the cloud: research, slides, websites, images and more. It has a web app, desktop and mobile apps, a Slack integration, an API and a team plan with SSO, according to its site navigation. It is credit-based with a free tier.
People start shopping around for a few concrete reasons, and none of them mean Manus is a bad product:
- Corporate uncertainty. Meta announced it would acquire Manus in late December 2025. China ordered the deal unwound on April 27, 2026, and Manus said it resumed independent operations on September 1, 2026. Manus is not a Meta product. Some buyers simply prefer to wait for the dust to settle.
- Pricing clarity. Third-party guides disagree on current plan prices and we could not read the official page, so exact figures are not confirmed here. Check manus.im before you commit.
- Business channels. Phone answering and WhatsApp are not confirmed for Manus.
- Team use. It is built around tasks you give it, not around a standing employee that supervises a team.
The shortlist at a glance
| Alternative | Best at | Published price (Oct 2026) | Phone line? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Work (OpenAI) | Long multi-step tasks producing documents, spreadsheets, slides | Reportedly on every plan including Free, usage-metered | Not confirmed |
| Claude Cowork (Anthropic) | Everyday knowledge work and finished files | Included in paid Claude plans, Pro $20/month | Not confirmed |
| Perplexity Computer | Multi-model projects in the cloud | Credit-based; Max $200/month with 10,000 credits | Not confirmed |
| OpenAI Dots | Always-on agents with their own cloud computer | First dot included with ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium | Voice chat with your dot; business line not confirmed |
| Oraculo | Managed employee for calls, leads and back office | From $312/month plus $499 setup | Yes, 24/7 on your business line |
Every row except Oraculo is a general agent. Oraculo is the only one here built as a managed employee for a specific business.
If you want the same kind of tool from a bigger vendor
ChatGPT Work (launched July 2026) is OpenAI's agent mode for multi-step work across your connected apps and files, returning documents, spreadsheets, slides and reports. It is task-based rather than always-on, with scheduled tasks. See Oraculo vs ChatGPT Work for the business view.
Claude Cowork brings Claude's agent abilities to non-coding work and is included in paid Claude plans, with Pro at $20 a month. Tasks run in the cloud and keep going when you close your laptop. Team plans add admin controls, and Team and Enterprise data is not used for training by default, per Anthropic's pricing page.
Perplexity Computer routes work across roughly 19-20 models and connects to services like Google Workspace and Microsoft 365. It runs on credits, and the Enterprise price is not confirmed.
If you want something that works while you sleep
OpenAI Dots launched September 29, 2026. Each dot has its own cloud computer, keeps working toward goals between conversations and comes back with results. The first dot is included with ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium seats ($125 per user per month, or $100 annually, for Business Premium). Enterprise, Edu and Healthcare workspaces get an admin-enabled beta, and Pro excludes the EEA, Switzerland and the UK. For a direct matchup, read Manus vs OpenAI Dots.
Both Manus and the general agents above are built for individuals and teams handling digital work. None of them list answering your business phone.
If you want a managed employee for your business
Oraculo is the odd one out on this list because it is a managed service. It answers and places calls 24/7, follows up with every lead in minutes, works your CRM, writes and posts content and sends invoices. You message it on WhatsApp, iMessage, Slack, Telegram, email or phone.
Pricing is hourly: Starter at $12/hour with a 6-hour weekly minimum ($312/month), Business at $8/hour with a 43-hour minimum ($1,500/month). Setup is $499 with four 1-hour Zoom sessions with an engineer, and there is a 30-day money-back guarantee. Calls are $0.19 per minute. You can book a 20-minute demo and see how it prices your actual task list.
When to switch, and when to stay on Manus
| Your situation | Stay on Manus? | Look at |
|---|---|---|
| Research, decks, one-off websites | Yes, if it already delivers | Nothing yet |
| Lead follow-up is slow | No | Oraculo, which follows up with every lead in minutes |
| Customers call and nobody answers | No | A call-first tool or Oraculo |
| You want agents running overnight | Maybe | OpenAI Dots or Claude Cowork scheduled tasks |
| Your company is already on ChatGPT Business Premium | Maybe | Dots, since the first one is included |
| You need a staff-level supervisor | No | Oraculo, which tracks goals and nudges the team |
If you want one more side-by-side, best AI agents for small business in 2026 compares the field in one place.
Key takeaway
Stay on Manus if it already does your research and decks. Switch when you need always-on work, a business phone line, WhatsApp, or someone else to set the whole thing up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Manus owned by Meta?
No. Meta announced it would acquire Manus in late December 2025, China ordered the deal unwound on April 27, 2026, and Manus said it resumed independent operations on September 1, 2026. Do not describe Manus as a Meta product.
How much does Manus cost?
Manus has credit-based plans with a free tier. Third-party guides list different figures and we could not confirm the official pricing page, so check manus.im directly for current prices before you buy.
Can Manus answer phone calls?
Phone answering is not confirmed for Manus as of October 2026. If you need calls answered on your business number, consider a call-first service or a managed employee like Oraculo, which answers and places calls 24/7.
What is the closest alternative to Manus?
For a similar general-purpose cloud agent, ChatGPT Work, Claude Cowork and Perplexity Computer are the closest. For always-on behavior, OpenAI Dots. For a managed business employee with phone and WhatsApp, Oraculo.
Is there a free Manus alternative?
Several have free routes. ChatGPT Work is reported on every plan including Free, usage-metered. Claude Cowork is not on the Free plan. OpenClaw is free open-source software, but you host and secure it yourself.