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Manus Alternative

The open-source answer to Manus

An open-source alternative to Manus

Manus is a capable agent that runs in a cloud you do not control. Kortix is the open-source AI Operating System: your agents, skills, memory and connectors live in one git repo you own, and every change reaches main through a review.

Try KortixCompare the alternatives

Open source · Any model, your keys · Self-host, VPC, or on-prem

The open-source AI Operating System
company-as-repo
project (git repo + kortix.yaml)└─ session ──> cloud computer: an isolated sandbox on a branch named after the session└─ the OpenCode agent works└─ change request ──> you review & merge ──> main
Source: https://github.com/kortix-ai/suna

One isolated sandbox per session. Each session has its own isolated machine and branch.

Manus and the open-source alternatives, side by side

Pick the platform that keeps your agents, memory and connectors on your side. Kortix is open source and our recommendation.

Open source

  • KortixOpen source. Read it, fork it, audit it.
  • ManusNo. A hosted product you sign in to.
  • OpenHandsYes. Runs the open source OpenHands agent.
  • OpenClawYes. An open-source assistant you run yourself.
  • HermesYes. Open source on your own server.
  • n8nSource on GitHub; commercial use is restricted by its terms.

Self-hosting

  • KortixRun it on Kortix Cloud, in your VPC, or on-prem.
  • ManusNo self-host; the web, desktop and mobile apps.
  • OpenHandsRun locally, in Docker, on a VM, or in your cloud.
  • OpenClawOne Gateway on your own computer.
  • HermesSeven backends: local, Docker, SSH, Modal, Daytona.
  • n8nDocker on your own infrastructure, or n8n Cloud.

Model choice

  • KortixAny model provider with your own keys.
  • ManusThe model Manus runs.
  • OpenHandsBring your own model; use with any LLM.
  • OpenClawModels are plugins you swap, hosted or local.
  • HermesAny provider: Nous Portal, OpenRouter, OpenAI, your endpoint.
  • n8nConnect any model, cloud or offline.

Company memory

  • KortixAgents, skills, company memory and connectors in one git repo.
  • ManusYour tasks and output live in the Manus app.
  • OpenHandsConversation history and workspace files on your host.
  • OpenClawState, memory and credentials on your hardware.
  • HermesPersistent memory and skills on your server.
  • n8nWorkflow data stays in your n8n instance.

Review of agent work

  • KortixSession work reaches main through a change request.
  • ManusThe finished result returns in the app.
  • OpenHandsAutomations open a pull request on GitHub.
  • OpenClawYou approve pairing; tools run on the host.
  • HermesCommand approval, no review gate.
  • n8nHuman-in-the-loop steps in a workflow.

Unit of work

  • KortixOne agent run on its own machine and branch.
  • ManusA task you start in the app or Slack.
  • OpenHandsA conversation against a project workspace.
  • OpenClawA message in the chat apps you use.
  • HermesA conversation from the terminal or a chat app.
  • n8nA visual workflow of fixed steps.

Rival rows come from those projects' own sites and repositories, checked October 2026. Kortix rows quote Kortix's own documentation. Verify each option before you buy.

How Kortix works

Five layers, each one a file or a command you can read.

One repo
Agents, skills and memory as files
Your agents, their skills, your company memory and every connector live in one git repo you own.
kortix.yaml
kortix_version: 2default_agent: kortixagents:  kortix:    file: agents/kortix.md    connectors: all
Source: https://kortix.com/docs/project/manifest
Connectors
Governed access to 3,000+ apps
3,000+ apps in a click, plus MCP, OpenAPI, Postman, GraphQL and raw HTTP.
kortix.yaml
connectors:  - slug: gmail    name: Gmail    provider: composio    app: gmail
Source: https://kortix.com/docs/connect/connectors
Any model
Bring your own keys or subscription
Any model provider with your own keys. Or the ChatGPT plan you already pay for.
terminal
$ kortix providers set anthropic$ kortix models default <model-id>
Source: https://kortix.com/docs/project/models
One sandbox
A cloud computer per session
One isolated sandbox per session. Each session has its own isolated machine and branch.
terminal
$ kortix sessions new --prompt "Summarize this week's commits and open a change request"
Source: https://github.com/kortix-ai/suna
One gate
Work reaches main through a change request
Session work reaches main through a change request. Merge is default-deny for agents.
terminal
$ git checkout -b tighten-triage$ git commit -am "Tighten the triage prompt"$ git push origin tighten-triage$ kortix cr open --head tighten-triage --title "Tighten the triage prompt"
Source: https://kortix.com/docs/git

Open source. Read it, fork it, audit it.

Questions people ask before they switch

  1. Is Manus open source?

    No. Manus is a hosted product you sign in to, and no version of it is published for you to run. Kortix is the open-source option here.

  2. What is the open-source alternative to Manus?

    Kortix, the open-source AI Operating System. Your agents, skills, memory and connectors live in one git repo you own, and each session runs on its own cloud computer. Our guide to open-source Manus alternatives weighs each option.

  3. Can I run the alternative myself?

    Yes. Run it on Kortix Cloud, in your VPC, or on your own on-prem network. Self-host is free.

  4. Which models can I use?

    Any model provider with your own keys. Or the ChatGPT plan you already pay for. Or sign in with your OpenCode Console account for OpenCode Zen and Go.

  5. How is an agent's work reviewed?

    Session work reaches main through a change request. Merge is default-deny for agents, so a person reads the diff before it lands.

  6. What does it cost to start?

    Free is $0 with 200 credits per month and 1 project. The team plan is $40 per seat per month with 2,500 credits per month per seat, pooled. Self-host is free.

  7. How do I choose between the open-source agent platforms?

    Start with the job and with what your team must own. Our companion guide, how to choose an open-source AI agent platform, walks the choice through.

Run your whole company from one repo you own.

Start with one job and grow from there.

Try KortixCompare the alternatives

Open source · Any model, your keys · Self-host, VPC, or on-prem