Claude Code
Claude Code, developed by Anthropic, is a robust standalone tool designed for macOS. It supports advanced language models like Claude 4.5 and Claude Sonnet 4.5, providing a context window of over 400,000 tokens. This tool offers full terminal access and agentic editing across multiple files, making it highly versatile for developers. One of its key features is Zero Data Retention (ZDR), ensuring maximum privacy. Claude Code is suitable for both individual users and enterprises, with a free tier available and a pricing range from $0 to $200 per month. Its setup requires a configuration file named ‘.clauderc’.
Pros
- ✓ Supports macOS.
- ✓ Zero Data Retention (ZDR) for privacy.
- ✓ Full terminal access.
- ✓ Free tier available.
- ✓ Wide context window of 400,000+ tokens.
Cons
- ✕ Requires setup.
- ✕ Limited to Claude language models.
Manus
Manus, developed by Manus AI, is a cloud-based tool designed for Linux users. It supports a variety of language models, including Claude 3.7, Claude 3.5, Qwen, GPT-4, and Gemini. With a context window of 200,000 tokens, it provides full terminal access and agentic editing capabilities across multiple files. Manus follows a standard privacy policy and holds SOC2 Type II certification for enterprise-level security. Unlike Claude Code, Manus does not offer a free tier, and pricing is available upon contacting sales. The setup requires a configuration file named ‘.manusrc’.
Pros
- ✓ Supports multiple language models.
- ✓ Cloud-based for easy access.
- ✓ Full terminal access.
- ✓ SOC2 Type II certification.
Cons
- ✕ No free tier.
- ✕ Requires contacting sales for pricing.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Claude Code | Manus |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture Type | standalone | cloud |
| Supported Os | macOS | Linux |
| Developer | Anthropic | Manus AI |
| Supported Llms | Claude 4.5, Claude Sonnet 4.5 | Claude 3.7, Claude 3.5, Qwen, GPT-4, Gemini |
| Context Window | 400,000+ tokens | 200k tokens |
| Agentic Editing | Yes, multi-file | Yes, multi-file |
| Terminal Access | Full | Full |
| Privacy Mode | Zero Data Retention (ZDR) | Standard Privacy Policy |
| Certifications | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) | SOC2 Type II (Enterprise) |
| About Price | $0 – $200/mo | Contact Sales |
| Config File | .clauderc | .manusrc |
| Migration | Requires setup | Requires setup |
Conclusion
Both Claude Code and Manus offer robust features for different user needs. Claude Code is ideal for macOS users seeking privacy with Zero Data Retention and a generous free tier. Manus, on the other hand, is perfect for Linux users requiring cloud access and support for a broader range of language models. Choosing between them depends on your operating system preference, privacy concerns, and budget.