Autonomous agents are making our lives easier by automating tasks while transforming how we interact with technology. Last year, OpenAI had brought agentic features to AI chatbots by introducing Scheduled Tasks and Operator Agent, while Anthropic did the same with Computer Use on Claude. China has now stepped into the world of autonomous AI agents with Manus AI, competing head-to-head with its American counterparts. This new agentic chatbot can perform complex tasks from simple prompts, without human oversight, leveraging real-time data retrieval, multi-step reasoning, and API integrations. In this Manus AI vs Operator comparison, we will explore the features of China’s first-ever AI agent and compare its performance with OpenAI’s agent on ChatGPT.
Table of Contents
What is Manus AI?
Manus AI is an agentic AI chatbot, developed in China, that can complete tasks end-to-end, working asynchronously in the cloud. Unlike other chatbots like Grok and ChatGPT, Manus can do a lot more than just answer questions, generate content, and give ideas. It can search the web, do analysis, write complete blocks of code, and run tasks from start to finish – all on its own.
It works like a multi-agent system consisting of a Computer User Agent, Web Search Agent, Data Analysis Agent, and a lot more. Using these agentic tools, the chatbot can write its own code, execute the code in its own sandbox, and provide the final result, without any human intervention. Which means, you can assign it a task, close your laptop, and wait to get a notification when the job is done.
It has been autonomously completing tasks on freelancing platforms such as Upwork and Fiverr, and even participating in Kaggle competitions, demonstrating its varied capabilities. While some users call it a ‘general purpose Devin AI’, on the whole, Manus AI looks like Deep Research, Operator, Code Execution, and MCP (Model Context Protocol) – all put into one!
Learn More: Manus: China’s NEW Autonomous AI Agent is Mind-blowing!
Manus AI vs Existing Autonomous Agents
Manus AI’s interface is similar to OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude 3.7, where it shows the thought process on screen in real-time, and gives the option of opening the response in a split screen. It also gives access to all the related files in separate folders similar to Claude’s artifacts.
That being said, Manus AI seems to be smarter than other existing agentic tools. Here’s why:
- Avoids redundant tasks: It can recognize duplicated content or previously completed tasks and refrains from unnecessary repetition.
- Adaptive to new instructions: Users can modify instructions while it is working, and Manus AI immediately adjusts to the new guidelines.
- Faster response time: Compared to other AI models, Manus AI processes tasks more quickly.
What is ChatGPT Operator?
Operator is an AI agent by OpenAI, that autonomously performs tasks through web browser interactions, through the ChatGPT interface. It interacts with web elements such as buttons, menus, and text fields, to perform tasks like filling out forms, placing online orders, and scheduling appointments.
This feature, currently available to ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the US and UK, aims to automate repetitive online tasks. While it functions independently, it prompts users for confirmation on specific actions, particularly those involving sensitive information like login credentials or payments.
Manus AI vs OpenAI Operator: Features Comparison
| Feature | Manus AI | OpenAI’s Operator |
| Autonomous Task Execution | Capable of autonomously planning and executing complex tasks by breaking them down into executable steps, delivering complete results directly. | Designed to autonomously navigate web browsers to perform tasks such as online shopping, booking appointments, and filling out forms. |
| Tool Integration | Integrates with various tools, including browsers, code editors, and APIs, within a sandbox environment to achieve task automation. | Operates within web browsers, interacting with web elements like buttons and text fields to perform tasks. |
| Multi-Modal Support | Supports multi-modal input and output, including text, images, and more, to handle complex tasks across different formats. | Primarily focuses on automating web-based tasks through browser interactions. |
| Performance | Achieved superior performance in the GAIA benchmark tests, with a single task cost of approximately $2, significantly lower than similar services. | Currently in a research preview phase, with ongoing development and refinement based on user feedback. |
| Availability | In beta phase, accessible only through invitation codes. Interested users can apply for beta access via the official website. | Available as a research preview to ChatGPT Pro subscribers in the U.S. and the UK, with plans to expand access gradually. |
Manus AI vs OpenAI Operator: Performance Comparison
Now that we are familiar with the features of Manus AI and OpenAI’s Operator, let’s try out these features and see how these two models perform. In this section of the Manus AI vs OpenAI Operator comparison, we’ll test three different prompts on both the models and compare their responses. Here are the 3 tasks we’ll be testing them on:
- Building a Game
- Designing a Room
- Creating a Website
Let’s begin!
Task 1: Building a Game
In the first task, we’ll test out the game building capabilities of these agentic AI models. We’ll give them to create a Super Mario game in the style of Minecraft and see which of them does it better.
Prompt: “Make me a super mario game in Minecraft style.”
Source: https://manus.im/
Response by Manus AI
Response by OpenAI Operator
Comparative Analysis
Manus AI starts by listing out a plan in the form of a checklist of steps. It searches for each requirement and collects the relevant data for various game elements such as textures, characters, etc. The model then writes the js. code for the game logic including the collected data, within its coding window, and then runs it on its own sandbox. Throughout the process, it shows each step of thought and at times goes back and alters the list of tasks, as required.
OpenAI’s Operator created a simple HTML-based game using CSS and JavaScript. It started off by setting up the basic game structure and then searched the web for characters and other details to add. At every step, it showed the advancements in real-time on a dynamic browser interface. While building the game, it opened up an existing Super Mario game on the browser which it then used as a template.
Task 2: Designing a Room
For our next task, let’s ask Manus AI and OpenAI Operate to design a space from scratch. We’ll give them the dimensions of the space, a list of furniture that we need, and a budget. Let’s see if they can design the space and find us the right products to buy within our budget.
Prompt: “Design a 14×16 ft room with a calm, pop culture vibe, including a workspace and bed area. Use plants and decor, starting from scratch with a $15,000 budget. List products to buy and their arrangement for a stylish look.”
Source: https://x.com/PriyanshKSingh/status/1897734666314301832
Response by Manus AI
Response by OpenAI Operator
Comparative Analysis
Manus AI gave a remarkable response, with furniture selection for different parts of the room, and an overall layout. Although the initial layout was in 2D, it also created a 3D layout and a Scandinavian style design, upon request. In the entire process, most of the decisions were made by the chatbot, only asking the user for feedback and changes after generating a response.
OpenAI’s Operator started by searching for furniture and decor, then made a list of the chosen items that fit within the budget, and finally designed a layout based on the selection. Although the web search was autonomous, it kept asking for confirmation for each item before proceeding, requiring human oversight throughout.
Task 3: Creating a Website
In our final task, we’ll have a look at how well these two agentic tools can build a website. We’ll ask both the models to create an educational website to learn Quantum Computing. Let’s see what they give us.
Prompt: “Create a dynamic teaching webpage for quantum computing.”
Source: https://x.com/roxasorag/status/1897670878554648604
Response by Manus AI
Response by OpenAI Operator
Comparative Analysis
Similar to the previous tasks, Manus AI was fast in understanding the prompt and getting the results. It showed the entire thinking process in real-time, and even kept modifying the initial plan, as it progressed. By the end, the agentic chatbot created a multi-page, highly interactive learning hub for Quantum Computing.
OpenAI Operator took fewer steps, but more time in building the website. It did real-time web search to understand how to go about the prompt and showed the thinking process. By the end, it did write the html code for the website, however, the resulting webpage was not opening even after multiple attempts.
Overall Comparison Summary
| Task | Manus AI | OpenAI Operator |
| Building a Game | Planned step-by-step, gathered resources, wrote and executed code in its own sandbox, autonomously. | Created a simple HTML-based game, searched for resources, and used an existing template. |
| Designing a Room | Provided a complete layout, product suggestions, and budget allocation. Generated 3D layout and alternate styles upon request. | Conducted a web search for products, created a layout, but required frequent user confirmations. |
| Creating a Website | Built an interactive, multi-page Quantum Computing learning hub with real-time reasoning. | Performed a web search, generated code, but failed to render a working webpage. |
Also Read: Open Operator – The Open-Source Alternative to OpenAI’s Operator
Conclusion
In this Manus AI vs OpenAI’s Operator comparison, both the models showcased impressive capabilities in executing tasks autonomously. However, Manus AI appears to have a more advanced and independent approach with a faster execution speed.
It efficiently plans and executes multi-step tasks, minimizes redundancy, and adapts dynamically to new instructions. Additionally, it demonstrates superior execution by generating complete, functional outputs with minimal user intervention.
On the other hand, OpenAI’s Operator excels at structured web-based automation but still relies heavily on user confirmations and lacks Manus AI’s level of autonomy. Hence, Manus AI has set a strong foundation and marked its position as China’s first ever AI agent. Its performance so far promises an alternative to existing autonomous agents like OpenAI’s Operator, and the rest is yet to be seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is Manus AI?
A. Manus AI is an autonomous AI chatbot developed in China that can perform complex tasks end-to-end. It can do web searches, data analysis, coding, multi-step reasoning, and more, without human intervention.
Q2. How is Manus AI different from OpenAI Operator?
A. Manus AI operates with greater independence, while OpenAI’s Operator primarily automates web-based interactions and requires user confirmations.
Q3. Can Manus AI replace human freelancers?
A. While it performs many freelance tasks efficiently, human creativity, intuition, and critical decision-making still play a crucial role.
Q4. Is Manus AI available?
A. Manus AI is currently in a beta phase and can be accessed via invitation codes.
Q5. Is OpenAI’s Operator available?
A. As of now, OpenAI’s Operator is only available to ChatGPT Pro users in the U.S. and the UK.
Q6. Which AI agent is better for software development?
A. Manus AI is better suited for end-to-end coding tasks as it can write, test, and execute code autonomously, whereas OpenAI Operator focuses on web-based tasks.
Q7. What is Manus AI best used for?
A. Manus AI excels in autonomous task execution, including coding, research, data analysis, and web-based activities.
Sabreena is a GenAI enthusiast and tech editor who's passionate about documenting the latest advancements that shape the world. She's currently exploring the world of AI and Data Science as the Manager of Content & Growth at Analytics Vidhya.
