Manus runs long tasks in the cloud from a text prompt. Cue uses your voice and screen context to act on any app, right now.
Use Manus for long, asynchronous browser automation from a text prompt. Use Cue for instant, voice-driven actions on your local Mac or Windows desktop, using your screen for context. They are for different jobs.
You need long-running browser automation for tasks like research or data gathering. You prefer to write a text prompt, kick off a job, and check back hours later.
You want to use your voice to act on what's on your screen, right now. Cue sees your active app and selection to execute tasks instantly on your Mac or Windows machine.
Here is an honest look at how Cue and Manus compare for different jobs.
| Feature | Cue | Manus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen ContextSees your active app, selection, and screen | ✓ | ✗ |
| Voice InputControl with your voice | ✓ | ✗ |
| Local Desktop ExecutionActs on your computer's desktop | ✓ | ✗ |
| Hotkey ActivationTrigger from any application | ✓ | ✗ |
| Works in Native Appse.g. Figma, VS Code, Slack | ✓ | ✗ |
| Real-time InteractionImmediate feedback and execution | ✓ | ✗ (Async) |
| Windows SupportNative Windows app | ✓ | ✓ (Web) |
| macOS SupportNative macOS app | ✓ | ✓ (Web) |
| Free TierUse without a paid subscription | ✓ | ✗ |
| Pricing ModelHow you pay for usage | Free & Subscription | Credit-based |
| Cloud Browser TasksLong-running, async browser jobs | ✗ | ✓ |
Cue offers a generous free tier and simple subscription. Manus uses a credit-based model for cloud execution.
Manus is a powerful cloud agent. Cue is designed for a different job: instant action on your desktop.
Manus executes tasks from a text prompt. Cue starts with your voice, then reads your screen. It sees your selected text, active application, and visible content. This context is how Cue can accurately summarize a document or draft a reply in any app, something a cloud-only agent cannot do.
Manus is limited to a browser in the cloud. Cue lives on your Mac or Windows machine. Use it in Figma, Slack, VS Code, or Finder. If it is on your screen, Cue can see it and act on it.
Manus is for tasks you check on later. Cue is for tasks you want done now. Press a hotkey, speak your command, and watch it happen in real time. It is an assistant, not a job queue.
They hear what you said.
Cue sees what you're doing.
And does the thing, in any app.
Our goal is to help you find the right tool, even if it is not us.
You need to automate long-running, complex tasks that happen entirely within a web browser. If your workflow involves kicking off a multi-hour research job from a text prompt and you do not need local app integration, Manus is built for that.
You want to use your voice to control your computer in real time. If you need an assistant that sees your screen, works across all your Mac and Windows apps, and responds instantly to a hotkey, Cue is the right choice. Try the free tier to see how it feels.
They solve different problems. Cue is an alternative if you want a voice-driven, real-time AI assistant for your desktop. It is not a direct alternative for Manus's core feature: long-running, asynchronous browser automation in the cloud.
Yes. Cue is a native app for both macOS and Windows. Manus is a web-based tool that runs in the cloud, so it does not have a native desktop presence. Cue works inside your local apps, while Manus works inside a cloud browser.
No. Cue is not designed for multi-hour, asynchronous browser tasks like large-scale data gathering. Manus is the better tool for that specific job. Cue is designed for interactive, in-the-moment tasks on your local machine.
Cue has a free-forever tier with daily credits and a simple $9.99/mo Plus plan for unlimited use. Manus uses a credit-based subscription model starting at $39/mo, where costs depend on the complexity and duration of your cloud tasks.
Cue uses a hybrid model. Your voice is captured locally. Screen context is analyzed locally. The core AI processing for complex agent tasks is done in the cloud using models like Claude and Gemini. Your data is private and never used for training.
Cue can see your screen, read selected text, and know which app you are using. It can take action in any local Mac or Windows application, not just a browser. It also accepts voice commands and provides real-time feedback.
Yes. Your privacy is a priority. Screen captures and audio are processed for the task at hand and then deleted. We do not store your conversations or use your data to train AI models. You can read our full privacy policy for details.
You can use both. Download Cue for free for Mac or Windows. Use it for your instant desktop tasks. Continue using Manus for your long-running cloud automation. They are complementary tools for different parts of your workflow.
Download for Mac or Windows and start dictating in any app today. Use your free credits to see how screen context changes everything.