kitio.aiManus vs Ardor
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Manus starts at $20/mo and Ardor starts at $20/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Cloud virtual computer
- Web browsing and code execution
- Scheduled tasks
- App connectors
- Desktop mode
- Persistent cloud computer
- Mobile check-ins
- Approval prompts
- GitHub app deployment
- Pay-as-you-go hosting
| Feature | Manus | Ardor |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | General-purpose AI agent that works in its own cloud computer | Cloud AI agent with its own computer that keeps working while you're away |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | $20/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Made by | Butterfly Effect | Ardor |
| Based in | Singapore | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Manus starts at $20/mo and Ardor starts at $20/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
5 plans
Free
Free
- 300 credits a day
- Up to 1,500 credits a month
Pro
$20/mo
- 4,000 credits per month
- 20 concurrent tasks
Pro 8K
$40/mo
- 8,000 credits per month
- Adjustable up to 20,000 credits
Pro 40K
$200/mo
- 40,000 credits per month
- Adjustable up to 5M credits
Team
$20/mo
- Per seat, starting price
- Shared credit tiers
5 plans
Free
Free
- Baseline usage capacity
- 5-hour and weekly windows
- Selected OpenAI models
Starter
$20/mo
- 4x Free usage
- Adds Claude, Grok and Gemini models
Pro
$50/mo
- 10x Free usage
- Adds top-tier Claude models
Max
$100/mo
- 2x Pro usage limits
- All models included
Enterprise
Contact sales
- SSO
- Audit logs
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Manus
- Handles long multi-step tasks alone
- Keeps working after you close it
- Produces finished files and sites
- Credit use is hard to predict
- Long tasks can fail midway
- Data runs on its cloud machines
Ardor
- Keeps working with your laptop closed
- Choice of models from several labs
- Hosts the apps it builds
- Usage limits reset in rolling windows
- Hosting compute is billed on top
- Live screen view not on every account yet
Which one should you choose?
Choose Manus if you want:
- Handles long multi-step tasks alone
- Keeps working after you close it
- Produces finished files and sites
Watch out: credit use is hard to predict.
Choose Ardor if you want:
- Keeps working with your laptop closed
- Choice of models from several labs
- Hosts the apps it builds
Watch out: usage limits reset in rolling windows.
Manus vs Ardor FAQ
What is the difference between Manus and Ardor?
Manus: General-purpose AI agent that works in its own cloud computer. Ardor: Cloud AI agent with its own computer that keeps working while you're away. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is Manus or Ardor cheaper?
Manus starts at $20/mo and Ardor starts at $20/mo. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Manus and Ardor have free plans?
Manus: Yes. Ardor: Yes.
Who makes Manus?
Manus is made by Butterfly Effect, based in Singapore.
Who makes Ardor?
Ardor is made by Ardor.
Which should I choose, Manus or Ardor?
Choose Manus if you value handles long multi-step tasks alone and keeps working after you close it. Choose Ardor if you value keeps working with your laptop closed and choice of models from several labs.