kitio.aiManus vs UI-TARS Desktop
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. UI-TARS Desktop is completely free, while Manus is freemium.
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
- Natural-language computer control
- Screenshot-based understanding
- Local and remote operators
- Agent TARS CLI
- MCP integration
| Feature | Manus | UI-TARS Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | General-purpose AI agent that works in its own cloud computer | ByteDance's open-source desktop agent for controlling your computer |
| Category | Agents & automation | Agents & automation |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Butterfly Effect | ByteDance |
| Based in | Singapore | China |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
UI-TARS Desktop is completely free, while Manus is freemium.
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
UI-TARS Desktop
- Free and open source
- Runs on your own machine
- Backed by strong UI models
- Experimental and sometimes unreliable
- Needs a capable model endpoint
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 UI-TARS Desktop if you want:
- Free and open source
- Runs on your own machine
- Backed by strong UI models
Watch out: experimental and sometimes unreliable.
Manus vs UI-TARS Desktop FAQ
What is the difference between Manus and UI-TARS Desktop?
Manus: General-purpose AI agent that works in its own cloud computer. UI-TARS Desktop: ByteDance's open-source desktop agent for controlling your computer. Both are agents & automation tools.
Is Manus or UI-TARS Desktop cheaper?
UI-TARS Desktop is completely free, while Manus is freemium.
Do Manus and UI-TARS Desktop have free plans?
Manus: Yes. UI-TARS Desktop: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Manus?
Manus is made by Butterfly Effect, based in Singapore.
Who makes UI-TARS Desktop?
UI-TARS Desktop is made by ByteDance, based in China.
Which should I choose, Manus or UI-TARS Desktop?
Choose Manus if you value handles long multi-step tasks alone and keeps working after you close it. Choose UI-TARS Desktop if you value free and open source and runs on your own machine.