alternatives
Best Manus AI alternatives without credits (2026)
Manus uses credits that run out. If you want an AI agent with BYO keys at cost and no credit system, here are the alternatives.
Manus uses credits that run out. If you want an AI agent with BYO keys at cost, team persistence, and meeting capture, here are the alternatives.
Why people look for Manus alternatives
Credits run out. A task costs 1-5+ credits depending on complexity. When they're gone, agents stop.
No BYO keys. Can't pay your provider directly.
Single user. No team workspace.
No meeting capture. Tasks only, no recordings.
No approval gates. Not documented.
How we judged
- No credit system
- BYO keys
- Team support
- Meeting capture
- Approval gates
- Task persistence
The alternatives
Doozy
No credits. BYO keys at cost. Team workspace. Meeting capture. Approval. Persistent to-dos. Free forever.
Lindy
Also uses credits. Native recording. No BYO keys.
ClickUp
PM suite + agents. No credits but AI is a paid add-on.
Gumloop
AI workflows. Also uses credits ($37-97/month).
Which one?
| Need | Pick |
|---|---|
| No credits + BYO keys + free | Doozy |
| One-off research tasks (with credits) | Manus |
| AI workflows (with credits) | Gumloop |
Switching from Manus
Manus tasks are one-shot. Doozy to-dos persist with owners and history. The main change: no credits, you pay your AI provider directly via BYO keys.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Manus cost?
$19-199/month with variable credits. Doozy is free with BYO keys.
What are Manus credits?
Each task costs 1-5+ credits. When they run out, agents stop. Doozy has no credit system.
Does Manus support BYO keys?
No. Doozy runs on your own keys at provider cost.
Is Manus for teams?
Single user. Doozy is a shared workspace for up to five people free.
Does Manus capture meetings?
No. Doozy captures system audio, no bot.
Does Manus have approval gates?
Not documented. Doozy has configurable approval.
Is Manus better for research?
Manus is strong at one-off research. Doozy is better for ongoing work with follow-through.
What's the cheapest alternative?
Doozy is free. You only pay your AI provider at cost. See the pricing guide.
Sources
- Manus AI pricing (G2) (checked 2026-09-09)
- Doozy pricing (checked 2026-09-04)