When it comes to AI agents and workflow automation, Manus AI stands tall among the host of such solutions. The platform is quite renowned for its capabilities, so much so that us folks here at AnalyticsVidhya use it extensively for a range of tasks. And so, it shouldn’t be a surprise that we have covered it extensively over the months and years. With that continuum comes a big update in this story. Manus 1.5 is here!
I get it. Let’s back up a little. What even is Manus AI? How does it help you? Is it worth exploring (or even reading through this article)
All in time, starting now.
What is Manus AI?
For those unaware, Manus AI is a powerful general-purpose AI agent. Note, it is an AI agent, not your regular AI chatbot like ChatGPT. Which means it is designed to turn natural language into real-world outcomes. Unlike conventional AI chatbots that stop at explanations, Manus AI executes complex, multi-step tasks entirely in the cloud. Simply describe what you wish to achieve, and it gets to work step-by-step.
With Manus, you can perform tasks across research and data analysis to website development and automation. You can delegate a complete workflow like “analyze resumes, rank candidates, and generate a shortlist,” close your browser, and return to see it finished. It is that simple!
You can read about Manus AI in more detail here.
Enter Manus 1.5
Manus 1.5 is the latest model by Manus, with extended capabilities and faster performance. All in all, the new model promises improvements in “speed, reliability, and quality across all task types,” as the Manus team mentions in its release. In numbers, it is able to deliver 4X faster results, 15% better quality, and 6% higher user satisfaction. In addition, it can now handle larger and more complex problems.
However, the Manus team isn’t just promising faster or smarter results with this update. In fact, the biggest capability that the new model brings to the table is full-stack web application development. This means you can now describe what you want, and Manus 1.5 builds it, deploys it, and even maintains it, all in one seamless workflow.
Note that Manus 1.5 is not the only new model to debut. Alongside, the company has announced a ‘Lite’ version, named Manus-1.5-Lite. This one is meant to provide “a streamlined experience optimized for cost efficiency.” Basically, a lighter version with limited capabilities. While Manus 1.5 brings all the power of the new architecture, Manus 1.5 Lite is meant to give you a demo of that power. We shall use the Lite version for a hands-on experience with no-code app building shortly.
All Aboard the ‘No-Code App Train’
Of course, Manus 1.5 isn’t the first attempt at such a no/low code app production. Just last week, Google announced similar app-building capabilities in its AI Studio. I built an Itinerary Generator app for Indian cities using the platform within minutes. You can read all about it here. Recently, Microsoft came up with similar capabilities for its Microsoft 365 Copilot platform, letting you build apps using simple English language.
Even though it is not the first, Manus 1.5 is certainly among the frontrunners in this segment. The fact that the team behind it analysed the requirement at hand and quickly churned out a model specifically for app development is commendable. Manus AI’s user base, mostly those wanting agentic AI experiences for automated workflows, will certainly love this development.
How to Access Manus 1.5
You can visit the official Manus website (click here) to use the new Manus 1.5, or do the same on the Manus Android or iOS app. Once on the app, you can simply select Manus 1.5 or Manus 1.5 Lite from the dropdown menu on the top left of your chat window.
Note that while Manus 1.5 Lite is free to use for a limited credits, you will have to get a paid plan to access Manus 1.5, which brings us to the next question.
Manus 1.5 Pricing
Other than the free tier that gives you 300 credits for Manus 1.5 Lite every day, Manus has kept 3 pricing options for its platform.
- The Basic plan starts from $19/ month, and gives you features like 1900 credits/ month (in addition to the 300 refresh credits every day), 2 concurrent tasks, 2 scheduled tasks, Slides, image and video generation, and Wide Research.
- The Plus plan starts from $39/ month, and offers 3 concurrent and scheduled tasks each, as well as 3900 credits per month.
- The Pro plan costs $199/month and comes with 19,900 extra credits per month, 10 concurrent and scheduled tasks each, and early access to beta features.
Manus is running a limited-time offer wherein it is offering double the extra credits on each plan upon the purchase of any of the paid subscription plans. So, if you buy the Basic plan right now, you will effectively get 1900 + 1900 credits/ month.
Note that these monthly prices are discounted by 17% if you opt for the annual billing option.
With that out of the way, let’s dive right in to test the new Manus 1.5 Lite for a real-world task.
Manus 1.5 Lite Hands-on Vibe Coding
I replicated my attempt at a no-code app with Google AI Studio for Manus 1.5 Lite. This seemed like a logical option as it would help me judge the results with another app that I already have made through a similar platform. I used the following prompt for the same –
Prompt: create an itinerary generator for all places in India that works on the input of a location, number of tourists, and travelling dates. The app should call on Gemini to generate each answer. All answers should be in the form of a time table built across the dates.
Output:
Hand on my heart, this was one of the best no-code app developments I have tried so far. Manus 1.5 Lite took around 4 minutes to produce the entire app, which worked fabulously well in my testing. I have shared the screenshots for the same below. Look for yourself and be the judge.
I even followed up the app development with a prompt to change the theme to Orange and Grey. Have a look at the results.
Conclusion
Manus 1.5 marks a turning point for the platform. With the new architecture and capabilities, it moves beyond automating workflows, towards creating entire digital products. From faster task execution to full-stack app generation, it’s clear that Manus is no longer just an assistant or an agent working at the backend. You can rely on it for technical creations as well.
The genius move here is Manus 1.5 Lite lowering the entry barrier, while the full version pushes professional boundaries. From what I feel, the platform now caters to a broader audience than ever before. From curious beginners to power users, Manus 1.5 is surely a must-try for everyone wanting to enhance their productivity.
For more such AI tools on productivity enhancements, you can read my list of 20 best AI tools for work here.
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