Manual.to vs Poka: Work Instructions Compared in 2026
Poka is one of the most recognized connected worker platforms in manufacturing. Founded in 2014 in Quebec City by Alexandre Leclerc and Antoine Bisson, the platform was built to digitally connect factory workers – from training and troubleshooting to shift-to-shift communication. In June 2023, Poka was acquired by IFS, a global enterprise software company backed by EQT, Hg, and TA Associates, for a reported sum close to $200 million.
Manual.to takes a different approach. Founded in 2016 in Ghent, Belgium, the platform uses AI to generate complete visual manuals from video in 60 seconds – no manual authoring required. It supports 200+ languages with text-to-speech and serves industries beyond manufacturing, from healthcare to logistics to retail.
Both platforms aim to get the right knowledge to frontline workers at the right time. This page compares them on scope, AI capabilities, language support, pricing, accessibility, and post-acquisition direction, based on publicly available information.
Important context: Poka was acquired by IFS in June 2023 and now operates as “Poka, an IFS company.” The platform still exists at poka.io, but is increasingly integrated into the broader IFS Cloud ecosystem (ERP, EAM, FSM). In January 2026, co-founder Alexandre Leclerc stepped down as CEO to return to his family business. Antoine Bisson, co-founder and Chief AI Officer, became the new CEO. Buyers evaluating Poka should understand they are now evaluating an enterprise platform that is part of a larger ERP suite.
TL;DR: Poka is a well-regarded enterprise connected worker platform for manufacturing, now owned by IFS. It offers digital work instructions, skills management, factory communication, and AI-powered content conversion. It supports 37 languages and serves Fortune 500 customers like Nestle, Bosch, Mars, and Tetra Pak. Pricing is enterprise-only (custom quotes). Manual.to is an AI-first work instruction platform that generates complete multilingual visual manuals from video in 60 seconds, supports 200+ languages with text-to-speech, and starts free – you can generate an AI-powered manual on manual.to with no account. Both are capable platforms, but they serve different segments: Poka is a full connected worker suite for large manufacturers, while Manual.to is a focused work instruction tool accessible to any team, any industry, any size.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Manual.to | Poka (IFS) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2016, Ghent, Belgium | 2014, Quebec City, Canada |
| Ownership | Independent, VC-backed | Acquired by IFS (June 2023, ~$200M) |
| AI Approach | End-to-end: transcribes, structures, and generates complete manuals from video in 60 sec | AI toolkit: content conversion from PDFs/videos/images, multilingual transcription, visual aids generation |
| Languages | 200+ with text-to-speech | 37 languages |
| Free Entry | Free AI-generated manual (no account) + 7-day trial | No free tier. Demo on request |
| Pricing | Free manual generation + paid plans from small teams to enterprise | Enterprise custom quotes only |
| Minimum Users | No minimum | Enterprise-scale (typically 100+ users) |
| Industry Focus | Cross-industry: manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, retail, food & beverage, field service | Manufacturing-focused |
| Platform Scope | Work instruction creation and delivery | Connected worker suite: instructions, skills matrix, factory communication, daily management |
| G2 Reviews | Growing review presence | 221 reviews, G2 Market Leader (Fall 2024) |
| Security | ISO 27001, SSO/SAML, dedicated EU hosting, GDPR | Enterprise-grade (part of IFS Cloud security framework) |
| Key Customers | Cross-industry organizations from startups to enterprise | Nestle, Mars, Bosch, Danone, L’Oreal, Tetra Pak, ABB, Hitachi Energy |
Understanding the Poka Acquisition
In June 2023, IFS announced the acquisition of Poka for a reported sum “not far off $200 million.” IFS is a global enterprise software company with $1B+ annual revenue, specializing in ERP, Enterprise Asset Management (EAM), and Field Service Management (FSM). The deal was backed by IFS’s investors: EQT, Hg, and TA Associates.
The strategic rationale was clear: IFS wanted to be the only vendor with leading ERP, EAM, and FSM capabilities that could also digitally connect frontline workers. Poka became the “connected worker” piece of IFS Cloud.
For existing Poka users, this brings both benefits and considerations. On the plus side, Poka now benefits from IFS’s global go-to-market reach, deeper integration with ERP workflows, and enterprise-scale infrastructure. On the other hand, Poka is now part of a larger platform play. Teams that only need work instructions may find themselves evaluating (and potentially paying for) a broader suite than they require.
In January 2026, co-founder Alexandre Leclerc stepped down as CEO to return to Leclerc, his family business – the same place where Poka’s founding vision first began on a factory floor. Antoine Bisson, co-founder and Chief AI Officer, became CEO, signaling a strategic shift toward making Poka an “AI-native” platform.
What Is Poka?
Poka is an enterprise connected worker platform designed for manufacturing. It goes beyond work instructions to offer a comprehensive suite of factory floor tools.
Core capabilities include: digital work instructions and standard operating procedures, a video-based knowledge system where experienced workers can film themselves performing tasks, skills matrix and competency tracking with real-time status updates, factory communication tools (a newsfeed-style system for cross-shift messaging), daily management and visual management boards, training guides with progress tracking via a visual dashboard, and QR code-based content access on the factory floor.
AI capabilities (as of 2025-2026): Poka introduced an AI toolkit that includes content conversion from PDFs, images, handwritten documents, and captured videos into standardized digital work instructions. The platform claims up to 78% faster digitalization of legacy knowledge. It also offers intelligent multilingual transcription for videos and AI-powered visual aids generation.
Language support: Poka supports 37 languages commonly used in manufacturing, including English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and more. New languages are being added.
Customers: Poka serves some of the world’s largest manufacturers, including 15 of the Fortune Global 500. Named customers include Nestle, Mars, Bosch Automotive, Danone, L’Oreal, Tetra Pak, ABB, Hitachi Energy, Mahle, Alcoa, Coty, and Rio Tinto. The platform is deployed in hundreds of global factories across 55 countries.
Reviews: 221 reviews on G2, recognized as G2 Market Leader for Enterprise Connected Worker Platforms in Fall 2024. Customers praise ease of use, cross-shift communication, and multi-site deployment capabilities. Areas noted for improvement include analytics/reporting and customization when integrated with external data systems.
What Is Manual.to?
Manual.to is an AI-first work instruction platform. It does one thing and does it well: turn video into step-by-step visual manuals, automatically.
How it works: Record a video of any process – on the factory floor, in a lab, at a restaurant, or in the field. The AI transcribes the audio, analyzes the visual content, identifies distinct steps, structures them into a clear document, and generates a complete multilingual manual in about 60 seconds. The result is a professional, shareable work instruction with screenshots, text, and audio playback.
Language breadth: Manual.to supports 200+ languages with text-to-speech. This is not a translation overlay – each language gets properly generated audio, making instructions accessible to workers who may not read fluently. For multilingual factory floors or global supply chains, this removes the friction of producing instructions in every worker’s native language.
Accessibility: Anyone can generate a free AI-powered manual on the homepage with no account needed. From there, a 7-day free trial provides access to the full platform. Paid plans scale from small teams to enterprise, with no minimum user count. Enterprise features include SSO/SAML, Microsoft EntraID, dedicated EU hosting, and ISO 27001 certification.
Cross-industry: Manual.to is not limited to manufacturing. It serves healthcare, logistics, retail, food and beverage, field service, and any organization with frontline workers who need clear, visual instructions. The platform integrates with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and is available on Microsoft AppSource.
6 Key Differences
1. Focus vs. Breadth
Manual.to is a focused work instruction tool. It creates, translates, and delivers visual manuals. It does not try to be a factory communication platform, a skills matrix, or a daily management board. This focus means faster deployment and less overhead.
1. Focus vs. Breadth
Poka is a full connected worker suite. Beyond work instructions, it includes factory communication, skills management, daily management boards, and training tracking. If you need all of these capabilities under one roof within manufacturing, Poka delivers breadth.
2. AI-First Creation
Manual.to was built around AI from the start. Drop a video, get a complete manual in 60 seconds. The AI handles transcription, visual analysis, step structuring, and multilingual output in a single workflow. No manual authoring needed to get started.
2. AI as an Add-On
Poka added its AI toolkit in 2024-2025, focusing on content conversion from existing documents (PDFs, images, handwritten notes) and video transcription. The AI accelerates digitization of legacy knowledge but the platform was not originally built around AI-first creation.
3. 200+ Languages with TTS
Manual.to supports 200+ languages with text-to-speech. Each language gets generated audio, making instructions accessible to workers regardless of literacy level. This is particularly valuable for multilingual workforces or global operations.
3. 37 Manufacturing Languages
Poka supports 37 languages commonly used in manufacturing. This covers major global markets but may not be sufficient for organizations with workers from less common language backgrounds. AI-powered multilingual transcription is available for video content.
4. Start Free, Scale Up
Generate a free AI-powered manual on the homepage with no account. Try the full platform free for 7 days. No minimum user count, no enterprise commitment required. Teams of 5 or 5,000 can start immediately.
4. Enterprise Sales Process
Poka requires a demo request and enterprise sales conversation to begin. Pricing is custom-quoted. As part of the IFS ecosystem, the procurement process may involve evaluating the broader IFS Cloud offering. This is typical for enterprise platforms but creates a higher barrier to evaluation.
5. Independent and Cross-Industry
Manual.to is an independent, VC-backed company focused entirely on work instructions. It serves any frontline industry – not just manufacturing. Roadmap decisions are driven by the core product, not by a parent company’s broader enterprise strategy.
5. Part of IFS Cloud
Since the 2023 acquisition, Poka is part of the IFS ecosystem. This brings deep ERP/EAM/FSM integration and global enterprise reach, but also means Poka’s roadmap is now shaped by IFS’s broader strategy. Teams may find themselves evaluating a larger platform than initially needed.
6. Microsoft Ecosystem
Manual.to integrates natively with Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and is available on Microsoft AppSource. For organizations standardized on Microsoft 365, instructions live where workers already are – no additional app install required.
6. Enterprise Integrations
Poka integrates with major ERP systems (especially IFS Cloud), MES, CMMS, and other factory floor systems. Accessibility via QR codes, tablet stations, and a mobile app. The integrations are deep but oriented toward manufacturing IT infrastructure.
Who Should Choose What?
Manual.to is likely a better fit if you:
- Need to create work instructions quickly using AI – just drop a video and get a manual in 60 seconds
- Have a multilingual workforce that needs instructions in 200+ languages with audio playback
- Want to start free and scale gradually, without an enterprise sales process
- Operate outside manufacturing (healthcare, logistics, retail, food and beverage, field service)
- Need a focused work instruction tool rather than a full connected worker suite
- Are standardized on Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint integration)
- Have teams of any size – from 5 to 5,000+ – and don’t want minimum user requirements
Poka could be a stronger fit if you:
- Are a large manufacturer needing a full connected worker suite (instructions + communication + skills + daily management)
- Already use IFS Cloud (ERP, EAM, FSM) and want native integration
- Need factory communication tools – cross-shift messaging, newsfeeds, and visual management boards
- Want built-in competency tracking and skills matrix with automated retraining workflows
- Operate in a highly regulated manufacturing environment where IFS’s compliance framework applies
- Have the budget and procurement process for enterprise-scale platform deployment
Which Platform Fits Your Needs?
Quick Assessment Tool
Answer 5 questions to see which platform aligns with your requirements. Takes about 30 seconds.
Deep Dive: AI Capabilities
Both platforms have invested in AI, but the approach differs significantly.
Manual.to’s AI is end-to-end: the entire manual creation process is AI-driven. Record a video, and the system transcribes audio, analyzes visual content (identifying distinct steps, tools, and actions), structures the output into a logical sequence, and generates a complete multilingual manual – all in about 60 seconds. The AI also handles translation into 200+ languages with text-to-speech, so each language gets audio playback. This means a single video can produce work instructions accessible to workers worldwide, regardless of language or literacy level.
Poka’s AI toolkit (introduced 2024-2025) focuses on digitizing existing knowledge. The content conversion feature transforms legacy documents – PDFs, images, handwritten notes, and captured videos – into standardized digital work instructions. Poka claims this can accelerate digitalization by up to 78%. The platform also offers intelligent multilingual transcription for videos, AI-generated visual aids, and is evolving toward “AI co-pilot” capabilities for real-time guidance and troubleshooting on the factory floor.
The key distinction: Manual.to builds the manual for you from a single video. Poka’s AI helps you convert and enhance existing documentation. Both are valuable – but for teams starting from scratch or needing fast creation, Manual.to’s approach removes the authoring step entirely.
Deep Dive: The IFS Factor
The IFS acquisition fundamentally changed what “choosing Poka” means. Before June 2023, Poka was an independent connected worker platform. Today, it operates as “Poka, an IFS company” within a broader enterprise ecosystem.
What this means for buyers: If your organization already uses IFS Cloud for ERP, EAM, or FSM, Poka is the natural connected worker complement. The integration between systems is a genuine advantage, creating a unified workflow from work order to work instruction to competency verification.
If you don’t use IFS, the evaluation becomes more complex. You may be entering a relationship with an enterprise platform ecosystem when you only needed a work instruction tool. Procurement processes, pricing models, and support structures are shaped by IFS’s enterprise approach.
What this means for existing Poka users: The platform continues to operate at poka.io and existing deployments are maintained. The roadmap, however, is now influenced by IFS’s broader strategy. The January 2026 leadership transition – with the new CEO coming from the AI side – suggests Poka will evolve toward deeper AI integration and potentially tighter IFS Cloud coupling.
Manual.to, by contrast, remains an independent company focused entirely on work instructions. Roadmap decisions are driven by the core product and its users, not by a parent company’s enterprise strategy.
Deep Dive: Language and Accessibility
Language support is a significant differentiator between the two platforms.
Manual.to supports 200+ languages with text-to-speech. This is not just interface translation – each language gets properly generated audio playback. A single video can produce a manual accessible to speakers of any of those languages, including workers who may not read their own language fluently. For multinational operations, this eliminates the bottleneck of producing translated instructions for every site.
Poka supports 37 languages commonly used in manufacturing. This covers major industrial markets – English, French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Dutch, Russian, Japanese, and about 25 others. The platform’s AI can transcribe video audio and generate subtitles in these languages. For most manufacturing operations with workforces drawn from major language groups, 37 languages may be sufficient.
The gap matters most for organizations with workers from diverse linguistic backgrounds – particularly in regions where factory workforces include speakers of languages like Burmese, Tagalog, Somali, or any of the 160+ additional languages Manual.to supports that Poka does not.
Deep Dive: Pricing and Getting Started
The paths to evaluation could not be more different.
Manual.to: Go to manual.to, upload a video, and get a complete AI-powered manual in about 60 seconds. No account needed. If you like what you see, start a 7-day free trial for full platform access. Paid plans scale from small teams to enterprise. No minimum user count. You can go from “I’ve never heard of this” to “I have a working manual” in under two minutes.
Poka: Request a demo through poka.io. A sales team will evaluate your needs, scope the deployment, and provide a custom quote. As an enterprise platform (especially post-IFS acquisition), the procurement process typically involves multiple stakeholders, security reviews, and contract negotiations. This is standard for enterprise software but means weeks or months from first contact to first use.
For teams who want to see results before committing to a vendor relationship, Manual.to’s free entry point is a meaningful advantage. You can test the AI output quality, language coverage, and sharing features before ever talking to a salesperson.
Poka’s Strengths – Honestly Credited
Poka brings genuine strengths that deserve recognition, particularly for large manufacturing organizations:
Factory communication is one of Poka’s signature capabilities. The newsfeed-style communication tool bridges shifts, sites, and departments in ways that a work instruction tool alone does not. Workers can post updates, share solutions to problems, and collaborate in real time across the factory floor.
Skills management and competency tracking provides real-time visibility into team capabilities, automates retraining workflows, and helps supervisors manage skills gaps across their workforce. This is a full module, not an afterthought.
Video-based knowledge capture was central to Poka’s original vision. Experienced workers film themselves performing tasks, creating a searchable knowledge base that preserves tribal knowledge and makes it accessible to newer team members.
Fortune 500 manufacturing customers: Nestle, Mars, Bosch Automotive, Danone, L’Oreal, Tetra Pak, ABB, Hitachi Energy, and many others trust Poka. Deployed in hundreds of factories across 55 countries, the platform has a proven enterprise manufacturing track record.
G2 recognition: Named G2 Market Leader for Enterprise Connected Worker Platforms in Fall 2024, with 221 reviews. Users consistently praise ease of use and cross-shift communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Resources
- Manual.to vs Knowby – Compare Manual.to with a lightweight work instruction tool
- Manual.to vs SwipeGuide – What changed after the L2L acquisition
- Manual.to vs Azumuta – Two Belgian platforms, two different approaches
- Manual.to vs Dozuki – Comparing with the most established name in work instructions
- The Real Cost of Bad SOPs – Calculate what outdated or missing instructions cost your organization
- The Frontline Compliance Guide – How structured work instructions support audit readiness
- Paper-to-Digital SOP Playbook – A 5-phase framework for migrating from paper to digital
- The Tribal Knowledge Crisis – Capturing expert knowledge before it walks out the door
- Beyond the Factory Floor – Why every frontline industry needs digital work instructions
- Best Digital Work Instruction Software 2026 – 8 platforms compared by features and pricing
- Connected Worker Alternatives Beyond Manufacturing – Platforms for healthcare, logistics, retail, and more
- Azumuta vs Dozuki vs Manual.to – Three-way comparison of leading platforms
- AI Work Instruction Software – How AI is changing manual creation in 2026
- Work Instruction Software Pricing – What every platform costs in 2026
The Bottom Line
Poka is a well-regarded enterprise connected worker platform for manufacturing, now part of IFS (acquired June 2023, ~$200M). It offers digital work instructions, factory communication, skills management, daily management tools, and AI-powered content conversion. It supports 37 languages, serves Fortune 500 customers (Nestle, Mars, Bosch, Danone, L’Oreal, Tetra Pak), has 221 G2 reviews, and was named G2 Market Leader in Fall 2024. Pricing is enterprise custom quotes only. Manual.to is an AI-first work instruction platform that generates complete multilingual visual manuals from video in 60 seconds, supports 200+ languages with text-to-speech, and starts free – anyone can generate an AI-powered manual on manual.to with no account. It serves industries beyond manufacturing (healthcare, logistics, retail, field service), offers enterprise security (SSO/SAML, ISO 27001, dedicated EU hosting), and integrates with the Microsoft ecosystem (Teams, SharePoint, AppSource). If you need a full connected worker suite for large-scale manufacturing with IFS integration, Poka is a proven choice. If you need fast AI creation, 200+ languages, cross-industry flexibility, and the ability to start free today, Manual.to is the more accessible and versatile option.
Stop making manuals. Start using them.
Drop a video. Get a complete visual manual in 60 seconds.
200+ languages. Enterprise-grade security. No app install required.
