Manus vs Mates
Manus is a general-purpose AI agent. Manus 2.0 added Studio for docs, slides, websites and video, Automations that run on schedules or events, Cue for personal agents with their own email and phone number (early access), and Cloud Computers you can buy.
You want one agent that can produce almost any deliverable (slides, sites, video) and you're happy working in sessions.
You want named AI workers that keep their own desktop, files and logins between tasks, with replays and an inbox each.
The short version
Manus task sandboxes end with the session, and its always-on Cloud Computer is command-line only. Every mate in Mates keeps a full Linux desktop between tasks, which you can watch, take over and replay, alongside its own inbox, skills and routines.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Mates | Manus |
|---|---|---|
| Its own computer for each agent | YesOne isolated Linux computer per mate | PartlyTask sandboxes end; paid Cloud Computer is always on |
| Live desktop you can watch and take over | YesWatch live, take control, give it back | PartlyCloud Computer is command-line only |
| Replays of finished work | YesStep-by-step and video replays | Not documented |
| Several agents, each with its own job | YesAs many mates as your plan allows | PartlyCue agents in early access |
| Agents working together in one chat | YesGroup chats with handoffs | PartlyCue groups with handoff |
| Scheduled routines | YesSchedules in your timezone, Run now | YesAutomations on a schedule |
| Starts on events (email, webhooks, apps) | PartlyInbound email and a webhook per mate; app events not yet | YesNew email, calendar, Slack, Notion and more |
| Its own email address | YesIts own address, with approvals for outgoing mail | PartlyCue agents get their own email (early access) |
| App connectors (OAuth, MCP) | YesGmail, Calendar, Notion, Slack, GitHub, HubSpot and more, plus any MCP server | Yes |
| Asks before risky actions | YesChanges in connected apps and outgoing email ask first | Partly |
| Reusable skills | YesSkills library; mates write their own too | YesProject skills |
| Your docs and repos as knowledge | YesGitHub repos and .zip uploads, read-only | YesProjects |
| Publishes apps and pages | YesPublished apps at their own web address | YesStudio builds websites, slides, docs and video |
| Works inside Slack or Teams | NoWeb app for now | YesSlack |
| Mobile app | NoWorks in a phone browser; no native app yet | Yes |
| Voice and phone | PartlyVoice input; no calls yet | Not documented |
| Shared team workspace | NoOne person per workspace for now | YesTeam plan |
| Price | Invite-only early access; plans not published yet | Credit plans, a team plan and Cloud Computer tiers |
Mates is our product. Competitor details come from their public docs and announcements, linked under Sources, and were checked on . Spot something out of date? Tell us.
Where Manus is ahead
- Studio: a broad set of outputs, from slides and sheets to websites and a video editor.
- Event-triggered Automations from email, calendar, Slack and Notion.
- Slack, mobile and a team plan today.
- Remote control of your own computer from your phone, with approval.
Where Mates is ahead
- A persistent Linux desktop per mate, not a session sandbox or a terminal-only box.
- Watch live, take control, and replay any finished task.
- Each mate's own email address is live now, not early access.
- Read-only knowledge mounts from your GitHub repos.
Questions people ask
Is Mates a Manus alternative?
Yes, with a different shape. Manus is one general agent with many output formats. Mates is a team of named mates, each with its own persistent desktop computer, inbox, skills and routines.
Does Manus keep a computer between tasks?
Standard task sandboxes end with the session. Manus sells always-on Cloud Computers, which are command-line only. Every mate in Mates keeps a full desktop between tasks.
Can both run on a schedule?
Yes. Manus Automations run on schedules and events. Mates routines run on a schedule, and mates also start work from inbound email and webhooks.
Can Mates make slides and websites like Manus Studio?
Mates can build and publish web apps and pages at their own address, and its Library includes a social media designer and a video editor. Manus Studio covers more formats out of the box.