Browser User Gains Traction as Manus Sparks Viral Interest

he recent launch of Manus, an innovative AI agent platform developed by the Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, has inadvertently propelled another tool into the spotlight: Browser User. This web automation tool has experienced explosive growth in downloads and usage since Manus gained viral attention.

Browser User is designed to enhance web accessibility for agentic applications that automate tasks on behalf of users. According to co-creator Gregor Zunic, daily downloads of Browser User surged from approximately 5,000 on March 3 to an astonishing 28,000 by March 10. Zunic noted that the tool has become the top trending repository on GitHub, reflecting a significant uptick in interest and utilization.

The surge in popularity can be traced back to a post detailing how Manus leverages Browser User for various functions such as navigating websites and automating form submissions. This post garnered over 2.4 million views and hundreds of shares on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showcasing the growing interest in both Manus and its components.

Zunic and his co-founder Magnus Müller launched Browser User last year as part of their vision to create a foundational layer for developers looking to build web agents—software that autonomously navigates websites and web applications. Their initial brainstorming sessions led to a minimum viable product (MVP) that quickly gained traction after being shared on Hacker News.

Browser User excels at extracting website elements like buttons and widgets, allowing AI models to interact with them more effectively. The tool can manage multiple browser tabs, execute actions such as saving files, and handle mouse and keyboard inputs seamlessly.

While Browser User offers paid managed plans, it also provides a free self-hosted version that has contributed to its rapid adoption since Manus' unveiling. Zunic described their mission as "selling a shovel" to developers eager to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for web agents.

Analysts predict substantial growth in the market for AI agents, with Research and Markets estimating it could reach $42 billion by 2029. Deloitte forecasts that by 2027, half of all companies utilizing AI will deploy AI agents.

As Browser User continues to gain momentum alongside Manus, its creators are optimistic about the future of web automation and the role their tool will play in shaping this evolving landscape. With the rapid advancements in AI technology and increasing interest from developers and businesses alike, Browser User is poised to become a key player in the ongoing digital transformation.