Best Manus AI Alternatives for Small Businesses in 2026

Manus AI made waves as an autonomous agent that handles research, browsing, and app building with minimal hand-holding. But there's a problem: it's invite-only, pricing is unclear, and small businesses can't afford to wait for access while admin work piles up.

This guide covers the best Manus AI alternatives available right now—what each one does well, what it costs, and which fits different small business workflows.

Why small businesses are looking for Manus AI alternatives

Manus AI is an autonomous AI agent platform built for browsing, research, and application building. It's gained attention for handling multi-step tasks independently. However, the platform remains invite-only, which means you can't simply sign up and start using it today.

For small business owners with invoices piling up and leads going cold, a waitlist doesn't solve the immediate problem. That's why so many people are searching for Manus alternatives that are actually available right now.

Manus AI remains invite-only

Access to Manus AI depends on getting approved through a waitlist. There's no public timeline for when new users get in. If you're running a small business and want to automate admin work this week, waiting indefinitely isn't a realistic option.

Pricing is unclear and potentially high

The manus.im platform doesn't display pricing publicly. Without knowing what you'll pay each month, planning your budget becomes difficult. Small businesses typically operate on tight margins, so unclear costs create unnecessary friction.

Limited customization for SMB workflows

Manus AI is designed as a general-purpose autonomous agent. It handles research and app building well, but it wasn't built specifically for the operational tasks small businesses deal with daily—things like invoice reminders, client follow-ups, and CRM updates. Tools designed with those use cases in mind often work better for lean teams.

What to look for in apps like Manus

Before comparing specific alternatives, it helps to know what actually matters when choosing an AI assistant for small business operations.

Integrations with tools you already use

The most useful Manus alternative connects directly to your existing stack. Gmail, Stripe, Calendly, HubSpot, Notion—whatever you're already using. Native integrations mean you can trigger real actions without switching tabs or copying data between apps.

Fast setup with no technical skills required

If a tool takes days to configure or requires coding knowledge, it's probably not built for small business owners. The goal is to start delegating within minutes. Look for platforms where you can sign up and begin working the same day.

Transparent pricing for lean budgets

Pricing that's clear upfront lets you make informed decisions. Free tiers or affordable starting plans allow you to test whether a tool fits your workflow before committing money. Avoid platforms that hide costs behind "contact sales" forms.

Coverage for daily operational tasks

Many AI tools answer questions but don't take action. For small businesses, the real value comes from tools that handle actual work:

• Inbox triage: Sorting and responding to emails
• Invoicing: Creating and sending invoices, following up on payments
• Scheduling: Coordinating meetings without back-and-forth
• CRM updates: Keeping contact records current automatically

24/7 availability across time zones

Your assistant works when you do—and when you don't. Round-the-clock availability matters if you serve clients in different regions or simply want tasks handled overnight while you sleep.

Best Manus AI alternatives for small business owners

Each alternative below is evaluated based on what it does, who it's best for, pricing, and honest limitations.

Clawly

Clawly is a Telegram-based AI assistant that handles admin tasks across 60+ integrations. You message it like you'd message a person, and it takes action—sending emails, creating invoices, updating your CRM, coordinating scheduling.

Setup takes under a minute. Sign up with Google, connect Telegram, and start delegating. The free plan covers core integrations and chat-based task handling. Pro starts at $29/mo.

The main limitation: Clawly's Telegram-based interface may not suit users who prefer desktop-first tools. But for small business owners who want to delegate from their phone between meetings, it works well.

Lindy AI

Lindy is a no-code platform for creating AI "employees" that handle specific workflows. It offers drag-and-drop automation building with over 4,000 integrations. You can build custom agents for tasks like email triage, CRM updates, and scheduling.

A free tier is available. The tradeoff is complexity—Lindy requires more time to configure than chat-based alternatives. If you enjoy building workflows visually, it's a solid choice. If you want to delegate immediately without setup, other options may fit better.

Zapier

Zapier connects apps through triggers and actions. When something happens in one app, Zapier can automatically do something in another. It's the most established automation platform, with over 7,000 app integrations.

A free tier exists with limited tasks. Paid plans start at $19.99/mo. The key difference from chat-based tools: Zapier isn't conversational. You build automations rather than delegate via messages. That works well for some workflows but requires more hands-on configuration.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft's AI assistant integrates directly into Microsoft 365 apps—Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams. It helps with writing, summarizing, and data analysis within that ecosystem.

A free tier is available, though full features require a Microsoft 365 subscription. The limitation is scope: Copilot works best inside Microsoft apps. If your business runs on other tools, its usefulness drops significantly.

Notion AI

Notion AI adds writing assistance and summarization directly into Notion workspaces. It drafts content, summarizes notes, and answers questions about your documents.

It's an add-on to your Notion subscription. The limitation is clear: Notion AI doesn't take actions outside Notion. No email sending, no invoicing, no CRM updates. It's helpful for teams already living in Notion, but it won't replace a broader operational assistant.

OpenManus

OpenManus is an open-source alternative to Manus AI. It offers full customization for users willing to self-host and maintain the system. The code is free to use.

The catch: you'll need developer skills to deploy and maintain it. OpenManus is free of cost but not free of effort. For technical users who want complete control, it's worth exploring. For everyone else, hosted alternatives are more practical.

Manus AI competitors compared

Feature	Clawly	Lindy AI	Zapier	Microsoft Copilot	Notion AI	OpenManus
Free plan available	✓	✓	✓	✓	✗	✓
Setup time	Under 1 min	Moderate	Moderate	Varies	Fast	Technical
Integrations	60+	4,000+	7,000+	Microsoft 365	Notion only	Customizable
Takes real actions	✓	✓	✓	Limited	✗	✓
Chat-based interface	✓	✓	✗	✓	✓	✗
24/7 availability	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Self-hosted

For small businesses prioritizing fast setup and operational task coverage, Clawly offers the most direct path from signup to delegated work. Zapier provides broader integrations but requires more configuration time.

How to choose the right Manus alternative

Identify your most time-consuming tasks

Start by listing what's eating your hours each week. Inbox management? Invoice follow-ups? Scheduling coordination? Data entry? Your ideal alternative covers the specific tasks draining your time rather than offering general-purpose AI capabilities you won't use.

Match features to your workflow

If you want an assistant you can message and get immediate action, chat-based tools like Clawly fit that model. If you prefer building workflows visually and don't mind spending time on configuration, Lindy or Zapier might feel more natural.

The question isn't which tool is "best"—it's which tool matches how you actually work.

Start free and scale as you grow

Most Manus AI alternatives offer free tiers. Use them. Test whether a tool actually fits your workflow before committing to a paid plan. The best choice is the one you'll use consistently, not the one with the longest feature list.

Free Manus AI alternatives you can try today

For those specifically searching for a manus ai alternative free of charge, here are options available right now.

Clawly free plan

Start delegating tasks immediately with no credit card required. The free plan includes core integrations and chat-based task handling. Upgrade to Pro when your workload grows.

Because Clawly works inside Telegram, you can delegate tasks from your phone while you're between meetings or away from your desk.

Start free at Clawly—ready in under a minute.

OpenManus open source

Fully free to use, though deployment and maintenance require technical skills. Best suited for developers who want to self-host and customize every aspect of their AI agent.

Microsoft Copilot free tier

Basic AI assistance for Microsoft 365 users at no additional cost. Functionality is limited compared to paid plans, but it's a reasonable starting point if you're already working in that ecosystem.

Why Clawly leads as the best Manus AI alternative for small businesses

Clawly is built specifically for the operational work that slows small businesses down. While Manus AI focuses on general-purpose autonomous tasks, Clawly handles the admin that actually fills your week.

• Works inside tools you already use: 60+ integrations including Gmail, Stripe, Calendly, HubSpot, and Notion
• One message away: Delegate via Telegram like texting an assistant
• Built for small business operations: Follow-ups, invoices, CRM updates, scheduling—not just Q&A
• Starts free, scales affordably: Pro from $29/mo
• Ready in under a minute: Sign up with Google, connect Telegram, start delegating

Start for free at Clawly—no credit card required.

FAQs about Manus AI alternatives

What is the difference between Manus AI and Clawly?

Manus AI is a general-purpose autonomous agent with invite-only access and unclear pricing. Clawly is a Telegram-based AI assistant built specifically for small business operations—available immediately with transparent pricing starting at $0.

Can I use a Manus AI alternative without technical skills?

Yes. Tools like Clawly, Lindy AI, and Microsoft Copilot are designed for non-technical users. Clawly in particular requires no coding—sign up, connect Telegram, and start messaging.

Which Manus AI competitor has the most integrations?

Zapier offers over 7,000 app integrations. Clawly's 60+ integrations are curated specifically for small business operational tasks, which often matters more than raw numbers.

Is there a Manus AI alternative that works on Telegram?

Clawly operates entirely through Telegram, letting you delegate tasks via chat messages from your phone or desktop.

How fast can I start using a Manus AI alternative?

With Clawly, setup takes under a minute. Sign up with Google, connect Telegram, and you're ready to delegate—no onboarding or training required.