Manufact vs Zatanna
Updated March 27, 2026
Overview
Manufact (formerly mcp-use) provides an open-source SDK for building and deploying MCP-connected AI agents with minimal code. It handles the complexity of deploying AI systems safely in production, enabling developers to connect agents to any MCP server and tool ecosystem in just a few lines of code. Raised $6.3M seed led by Peak XV with backing from Y Combinator and Pioneer Fund.
Turns any software into agent-first APIs — reverse-engineers browser workflows into clean REST endpoints for AI agents.
Key features
Core capabilities each platform advertises.
- Open-source MCP agent SDK
- Deploy MCP agents with minimal code
- Production-safe agent deployment
- Universal MCP server connectivity
- YC-backed, $6.3M seed funding
- Browser workflow to API conversion
- Agent-callable endpoints
- No browser automation needed
- REST API generation
- Software reverse-engineering
Strengths and tradeoffs
What each tool does well, and the limitations to keep in mind.
Pros
- Specialized for space hardware and deep tech manufacturing
- Free academic tier for research and learning
- Affordable developer tier at €25/month
- Enterprise on-premises deployment available
Cons
- Niche focus limits broader applicability
- Pricing in EUR may affect international customers
- Limited public information about capabilities
Pros
- Technically differentiated HTTP reconstruction approach is faster and more reliable than browser automation
- Large addressable market in enterprise legacy software integration
- No-code setup — show the workflow once, get a production API
- Already handling production traffic at scale with named customers
- Strong CTO with deep reverse engineering expertise
Cons
- No public pricing or self-serve access
- Competes with well-funded RPA incumbents like UiPath and Automation Anywhere
- Approach may break when target sites change underlying APIs
- Early-career founding team lacking enterprise GTM experience
Manufact or Zatanna — which should you choose?
Choose Manufact if you wantChoose if you want
- Building MCP-connected AI agents
- Rapid agent prototyping with MCP tools
- Production MCP agent deployment
- Connecting agents to external tool ecosystems
- Open-source MCP infrastructure
Choose Zatanna if you wantChoose if you want
- API creation for agents
- Legacy software integration
- Browser automation replacement
- Agent tool creation
Compare Manufact and Zatanna on your own traffic
Respan lets you trace LLM and agent calls across any model or framework, A/B test prompts on production traffic, and route requests across 500+ models through one gateway.