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I've seen multiclassed archers dip 1 or 2 levels into Zen Archer for the bonus feats and boost to saves. Since they're either planning on wearing armor or just not planning on Flurrying then taking Rapid Shot as their bonus feat makes sense.
Manyshot just gives you basically two arrows with one attack roll. It's different from Rapid Shot, but using both you'd essentially get 4 attacks with a BAB +6 (2 from Manyshot, 1 from Rapid Shot, 1 from iterative), which is what you need to qualify for Manyshot.
Melee types can get extra attacks with two-weapon fighting. Ranged types get this as their option. That's it.
The first shot you fire is two arrows with one attack roll and do double damage (more or less). The benefit is that you make X attack rolls and do X+1 hits worth of damage and without the -2 to all shots that Rapid Shot causes. There are downsides, sure, like Deflect Arrows will stop both arrows.
So on easy to hit targets or those with miss chances (more rolls means more chance to hit), you use Rapid Shot. If you're worried about actually hitting the guy, you use Manyshot.
Less attacks that are more accurate or more attacks that are less accurate.
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Note that Manyshot and Rapid Shot can be stacked on the same full attack.
I forget exactly how the old Manyshot worked, but it used to be its own action, IIRC, and it used to apply a penalty to hit. The new one is just an option for use with a full attack with a bow, and has no drawbacks.
Against most targets, Manyshot just gives an extra 1d8+x damage. The second arrow on that first attack cannot, itself, benefit from crits or other damage multiplers that are not general.
It will work with Clustered Shots.
Whether it counts as another attack for that second arrow for Hammer the Gap is one I am unsure of.
If you're only going to use one, Manyshot is probably better. No attack roll penalty, but just as much damage as using Rapid Shot, since it basically just doubles your first shot's damage (for the cost of 2 arrows).
But using it WITH Rapid Shot is where archers get crazy.
Level 11 with Rapid Shot and Manyshot, you fire 4 arrows, but deal damage for 5.
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If you're only going to use one, Manyshot is probably better. No attack roll penalty, but just as much damage as using Rapid Shot, since it basically just doubles your first shot's damage (for the cost of 2 arrows).
But using it WITH Rapid Shot is where archers get crazy.
Level 11 with Rapid Shot and Manyshot, you fire 4 arrows, but deal damage for 5.
Don't forget that haste extra shot, for 5 attacks, 6 arrows of damage...
Of course, it means that, at higher levels, that quiver of Ehlonna, now the efficient quiver, becomes more and more essential, if not even getting multiples...
Well, Haste adds to everybody's attacks anyway. It evens out.
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Just so we can see the difference:
3.5's version - MANYSHOT[GENERAL]
Prerequisites: Dex 17, Point Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, base attack bonus +6
Benefit: As a standard action, you may fire two arrows at a single opponent within 30 feet. Both arrows use the same attack roll (with a –4 penalty) to determine success and deal damage normally (but see Special).
For every five points of base attack bonus you have above +6, you may add one additional arrow to this attack, to a maximum of four arrows at a base attack bonus of +16. However, each arrow after the second adds a cumulative –2 penalty on the attack roll (for a total penalty of –6 for three arrows and –8 for four).
Damage reduction and other resistances apply separately against each arrow fired.
Pathfinder - Prerequisites: Dex 17, Point-Blank Shot, Rapid Shot, base attack bonus +6.
Benefit: When making a full-attack action with a bow, your first attack fires two arrows. If the attack hits, both arrows hit. Apply precision-based damage (such as sneak attack) and critical hit damage only once for this attack. Damage bonuses from using a composite bow with a high Strength bonus apply to each arrow, as do other damage bonuses, such as a ranger's favored enemy bonus. Damage reduction and resistances apply separately to each arrow.