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Head to head · 2026

DeepSeek vs Manus

Pricing, free plans, ratings, features, pros and cons, side by side. Where one comes out ahead, we mark it.

DeepSeek

The 2025 model that rattled markets with its training cost claims

4.5Free

Visit DeepSeek (opens DeepSeek in a new tab)

Manus

A 2025 autonomous agent that browses, builds, and ships tasks alone

4.1$39/mo

Visit Manus (opens Manus in a new tab)

Who comes out ahead

Based only on the facts in our directory. The right pick still depends on the job you need done.

  • Lower starting price

    Not comparable

    Not comparable: DeepSeek does not list a price

  • Free plan

    Tie

    Both have one

  • Higher rating

    DeepSeek

    4.5 against 4.1

  • Same job?

    Yes

    Both are Chatbots tools

Side by side

Compared onDeepSeekManus
Our rating4.5Better4.1
Starts atFree$39/mo
Free planYesYes
CategoryChatbotsChatbots
PlansFreeFrom $39/mo
Key features
  • Open-weight models available for independent deployment
  • Reasoning-focused model variants alongside general chat
  • Backed by quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer
  • Triggered significant market reaction in January 2025
  • Free web and mobile chat access
  • Autonomous multi-step task execution with minimal supervision
  • Web browsing, code writing, and file creation in one agent
  • Can deploy working results like websites independently
  • Generated significant attention on its 2025 release
  • Free tier for limited use
Pros
  • Open-weight release allows independent verification and deployment
  • Free to use with no subscription required for standard chat
  • Demonstrated competitive capability at reported lower training cost
  • Demonstrated unusually high autonomy for a publicly available agent
  • Handles multi-step tasks, browsing to building to deploying, in one flow
  • Free tier available to test capabilities
Cons
  • Data handling and privacy practices warrant independent research given its origin
  • Less mature consumer feature set than longer-established Western competitors
  • Rapid, disruptive rise means longer-term reliability is still being established
  • Very new product, longer-term reliability is still being established
  • Data handling practices warrant independent research given its origin
  • Autonomous execution requires careful review of results for higher-stakes tasks
CompanyDeepSeek, founded 2023Butterfly Effect, founded 2025

Prices come from each vendor's pricing page, last checked 20260703. Check the vendor before you buy.

FAQ

Questions people ask

Is DeepSeek better than Manus?

In our reviews DeepSeek scores 4.5 and Manus scores 4.1. The better pick depends on the job. DeepSeek: The 2025 model that rattled markets with its training cost claims. Manus: A 2025 autonomous agent that browses, builds, and ships tasks alone.

Which is cheaper, DeepSeek or Manus?

DeepSeek: free. Manus: from $39/mo.

Do DeepSeek and Manus have free plans?

Yes, both have a free plan.

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