kitio.aiManus vs Tendem
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Manus starts at $20/mo and Tendem starts at See pricing page. 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
- Task briefs in plain language
- Fixed quote before work starts
- Expert human review
- Built-in QA checks
- Research, data and design tasks
| Feature | Manus | Tendem |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | General-purpose AI agent that works in its own cloud computer | Hand off tasks to an AI agent backed by vetted human experts |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Starting price | $20/mo | See pricing page |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Made by | Butterfly Effect | Tendem |
| Based in | Singapore | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
|
|
Pricing compared
Manus starts at $20/mo and Tendem starts at See pricing page. 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
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
Tendem
- You approve the price up front
- Humans check results before delivery
- Covers research, data and design work
- Results take hours, not seconds
- Price varies by task, no flat plan
- Not suited to quick one-off prompts
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 Tendem if you want:
- You approve the price up front
- Humans check results before delivery
- Covers research, data and design work
Watch out: results take hours, not seconds.
Manus vs Tendem FAQ
What is the difference between Manus and Tendem?
Manus: General-purpose AI agent that works in its own cloud computer. Tendem: Hand off tasks to an AI agent backed by vetted human experts. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is Manus or Tendem cheaper?
Manus starts at $20/mo and Tendem starts at See pricing page. Check both pricing pages for current plans.
Do Manus and Tendem have free plans?
Manus: Yes. Tendem: No.
Who makes Manus?
Manus is made by Butterfly Effect, based in Singapore.
Who makes Tendem?
Tendem is made by Tendem.
Which should I choose, Manus or Tendem?
Choose Manus if you value handles long multi-step tasks alone and keeps working after you close it. Choose Tendem if you value you approve the price up front and humans check results before delivery.