An autonomous AI agent platform: you give an agent a goal in plain English and it plans, uses real tools, and delivers the finished work.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. Actus has a free plan to get started, with paid plans that add higher limits and advanced features like scheduled automations and team workspaces.

Can agents run automatically on a schedule?

Yes — agents can run hourly, daily, or on a custom cadence, so routine work happens automatically without you starting it each time.

How is Actus different from a chatbot?

A chatbot replies with text. An Actus agent takes action: it uses real tools to research, write, build, and send, then returns a finished deliverable instead of just advice.

Do I need to know how to code?

No. You describe your goal in plain English and the agent plans and executes the steps. Agents can write and run code when a task needs it, but you never have to.

Do I stay in control of what an agent does?

Yes. Irreversible actions require your approval, every run has budget and step limits, and each step is logged so you can see exactly what happened.

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Autonomous AI Agents vs RPA Tools

Actus · October 1, 2026

AI agents vs RPArobotic process automationautonomous agentsbusiness automationActus Agent

AI technology and business automation

Autonomous AI Agents vs RPA Tools

Robotic Process Automation and AI agents both automate work, but they operate differently. RPA follows exact scripts. AI agents adapt to variable inputs and produce new outputs.

How RPA works

RPA tools like UiPath and Automation Anywhere record a sequence of clicks, keystrokes, and data entries. They replay that sequence exactly. If the interface changes or data is in an unexpected format, the automation breaks.

RPA excels at high-volume, repetitive tasks with structured data. Examples include copying data between systems, generating reports from databases, and processing invoices.

How AI agents work

AI agents interpret instructions, read pages, extract relevant information, make decisions based on context, and produce artifacts. They can handle variable page structures, unstructured text, and multi-step reasoning.

An AI agent can visit a website, determine what services are offered, score the business against criteria, draft a personalized message, and log the result. RPA cannot do this without extensive scripting for every possible variation.

When to use RPA

Choose RPA when the workflow is deterministic, the interface is stable, the data is structured, and volume is high. Moving data from ERP to accounting software, processing standard forms, and extracting tables from PDFs are good RPA use cases.

When to use AI agents

Choose AI agents when the workflow requires reading, interpretation, judgment, content generation, or adaptation to variable inputs. Lead research, website audits, personalized outreach, content creation, and multi-source analysis suit AI agents.

Combining both approaches

Many workflows benefit from both. RPA can handle structured data movement while an AI agent handles research, drafting, and decision-making. The two can pass data between stages.

Cost and maintenance

RPA requires upfront scripting and breaks when interfaces change. Maintenance overhead is high. AI agents require clear instructions but adapt to page changes without manual updates. Total cost depends on workflow complexity and change frequency.

Implementation complexity

RPA tools require process mapping, script recording, testing, and deployment. Changes require re-recording. AI agents accept natural language instructions and can be refined iteratively.

Where Actus fits

Actus is an AI agent platform, not an RPA tool. It handles research, content, judgment, and artifact creation. It can integrate with RPA systems when structured data handoffs are needed.

FAQ

Is one better than the other?

No. They solve different problems. RPA is better for high-volume structured tasks. AI agents are better for research, content, and variable workflows.

Can they work together?

Yes. Use RPA for data movement and AI agents for interpretation and content. Connect them via APIs or shared storage.

Which is easier to maintain?

AI agents adapt to changes without re-scripting. RPA breaks when interfaces change and requires manual updates.

Conclusion

RPA and AI agents automate different types of work. Choose based on whether the workflow requires structured repetition or adaptive reasoning. Many operations benefit from both. Learn more about AI agent workflows at https://actusagent.cc.