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Cumbersome: AI LLM API Client

IMPORTANT: Requires your own

About this app

<p>IMPORTANT: Requires your own provider API keys or an OpenAI-compatible endpoint.</p>
<p>I built Cumbersome because consumer AI apps kept dumbing things down. Cumbersome is the manual transmission of AI apps: more complex, but with far greater control.</p>
<p>WHY I BUILT THIS</p>
<p>Consumer AI apps hide the controls I want and lock me into one provider.</p>
<p>I wanted direct API access, the freedom to pick and compare models, and to pay providers for what I use. This is the app I use every day, so I pay attention and try to get it right.</p>
<p>SUPPORTED PROVIDERS</p>
<p>- ChatGPT / OpenAI<br />
- Claude / Anthropic<br />
- Gemini / Google AI Studio<br />
- OpenRouter multi-provider<br />
- Vercel AI Gateway multi-provider<br />
- Z.ai<br />
- OpenAI-compatible custom endpoints, including Ollama, Azure, LM Studio, Groq, Together, and self-hosted backends</p>
<p>WHAT YOU GET</p>
<p>- A versatile API client. One app, every major provider and model.<br />
- Total control. Pick your model, tune the parameters, switch providers mid-conversation.<br />
- Compare models head to head. Stream multiple chats in parallel and let an AI judge pick the best.<br />
- Bring your own tools. Local browser use, reasoning, web search, image generation.<br />
- Rich, editable conversations. Markdown, LaTeX, code blocks, attachments, edit and export anything.<br />
- Private by design. iCloud sync across devices. Nothing saved to our servers.<br />
- Native and accessible on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.</p>
<p>MAJOR FEATURES ADDED IN 2026</p>
<p>Highlights only.</p>
<p>New in 1.74.0: Incognito chats. Search Project documents and conversations with Pro.</p>
<p>2026-09-21: Independent iPad chat windows.<br />
2026-09-14: Read replies aloud as they arrive. Save and Restart after editing.<br />
2026-08-29: Select multiple chats. Mac export/import of all chats.<br />
2026-08-21: Background replies on iOS 26. Question Cards for clarification.<br />
2026-08-18: Web Agent: a shared, interactive browser.<br />
2026-08-06: Highlight passages and attach notes for your next reply.<br />
2026-08-03: Local Python analysis, charts, Mermaid, Markdown export.<br />
2026-07-31: Gemini video. Responses API for custom providers.<br />
2026-07-28: Parallel browser and MCP tools.<br />
2026-07-23: Mind/Meld combines three AI responses into one.<br />
2026-07-18: Full Simplified Chinese support.<br />
2026-07-12: Ghost/Write drafts your next turn.<br />
2026-07-09: Remote MCP servers and tools.<br />
2026-07-02: Chat themes and reading fonts (Serif, Rounded, Mono).<br />
2026-06-28: Folder system message presets.<br />
2026-06-24: Prompt caching, with usage across providers.<br />
2026-06-17: Reusable system presets per conversation.<br />
2026-06-16: Offload long system messages to iCloud Drive.<br />
2026-06-15: Toggle custom API parameters.<br />
2026-06-11: Compact chats to lower API costs.<br />
2026-06-07: Run JavaScript and HTML.<br />
2026-06-04: OpenRouter PDF parsing and search engine options.<br />
2026-05-12: Quick Prompt shortcut and App Visibility on Mac.<br />
2026-05-09: Folders to group and organize chats.<br />
2026-05-03: Collapsible sidebar sections, synced across devices.<br />
2026-04-22: Image generation with OpenAI and Gemini.<br />
2026-04-18: Local browser search and browsing.<br />
2026-04-11: Headless browser mode.<br />
2026-04-03: Searchable model picker.<br />
2026-03-15: Extended thinking and reasoning across providers.<br />
2026-03-09: Auto-delete chats after a set number of days.<br />
2026-02-28: Custom OpenAI-compatible providers.<br />
2026-02-25: Only Search When Requested.<br />
2026-02-24: Image paste, attachment previews, PDF thumbnails.<br />
2026-02-21: Siri and Shortcuts.<br />
2026-02-20: Vercel AI Gateway and model filters.<br />
2026-02-06: Voice Control, Larger Text, higher contrast.<br />
2026-01-11: VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, keyboard navigation.<br />
2026-01-06: OpenRouter integration.</p>
<p>THE DEAL</p>
<p>Core features are free. An optional Cumbersome Pro subscription adds advanced Project tools and supports ongoing development. You pay providers directly for API usage.</p>
<p>I'm Peter, an indie developer in Reno, Nevada, out among the high desert tumbleweed. No VC money. No growth hacking. Just a tool I wanted to exist.</p>

What stands out

Supports multiple major providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google) and custom endpoints (Ollama, Azure).
Enables parallel model comparison and granular parameter tuning for precise control.
Features rich conversation editing with Markdown, LaTeX, code blocks, and local browser integration.

Version updates

Version 1.75.0

feat(api-parameters): add values to existing arrays feat(project-files): save directly and surface unfinished files in chat feat(project-files): improve native file browsing and recovery feat(files): add syntax highlighted source previews feat(projects): add editable files, review, and version history feat(chat): let users keep Incognito chats in Timeline fix(ios): keep landscape chat and drawer controls usable fix(markdown): scroll wide tables without excess spacing fix(ui): simplify file deletion and clarify send button states fix(project-files): expose created files and refine presentation fix(project-files): clarify cloud failures and simplify discard fix(ios): align file sheets and support large text perf(chat): reuse iOS transcript pairing during text updates perf(chat): defer offscreen iOS streaming row snapshots

10 月 3, 2026 · Apple App Store · iOS · View source

Version 1.73.0

feat(windows): support independent iPad chat windows fix(projects): allow sidebar deletion while preserving chats fix(cache): preserve attachment and MCP prompt stability fix(cache): stabilize annotation JSON in conversation history fix(cache): stabilize request JSON and tool history fix(ai): omit automatic Anthropic and Face/Off temperatures fix(background): preserve tool progress and advance iOS handoff

9 月 21, 2026 · Apple App Store · iOS · View source

Version 1.72.0

feat(speech): read replies aloud during generation feat(chat): add remembered Save and Restart action feat(settings): analytics and synced opt-out fix(custom-providers): support HTTP .internal endpoints fix(chat): restore sidebar actions for newly synced conversations fix(shortcuts): enable OpenCode Go requests from Spotlight fix(attachments): enforce image upload limits in pixels fix(macos): enable image-only paste in the composer

9 月 14, 2026 · Apple App Store · iOS · View source

AppRank score

The average of the verified ratings available across this app’s platforms.

★ 4.995 ratings
Cross-platform average

Reviews

OrganizeIt ★ 5.0

The Perfect Blend

This LLM client’s approach is the perfect blend of simplicity and complexity. For example, it’s simp…
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
Douglas F. Williams ★ 4.0

No macOS 15 local search support?

Everything is great except for no macOS 15 local search support. Is this a technical limitation?
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
Tesethus ★ 4.0

优势是免费、手机电脑同步

轻量化、清晰顺滑、免费、接入友好。有几个小缺憾:1. 长文本输入输出的时候有概率出现滑动卡顿、闪屏、显示故障。2. 侧栏 ui 的颜色有些刺眼,对于一个大量阅读的 app 来说最好还是配色风格温和专业…
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
john.catalano ★ 5.0

Just the right amount of complexity

Reading the history of this developer (hi, Peter!), I shouldn’t be surprised at how well this app is…
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
Ailthrim ★ 5.0

Exactly what I needed

I’ve been using this app since it came out. I’ve long wished for certain features and hoped for cont…
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
Kamikazzzzzzzz ★ 5.0

THE BEST!

The app almost has every feature you’d expect. It’s highly customizable and runs like butter. Can’t …
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
yiyan6 ★ 5.0

THE BEST

这是我在app store见过的最好的api client,美观,完全免费,功能齐全,方便实用。 给个建议:1 UI方面还需要改进,主要在文本框有些有奇怪的bug
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
JJ_indo ★ 5.0

Marvelous app

Such a great way to use my favorite LLMs.
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
MJ_SFS ★ 5.0

4 to 5 stars

Thanks for adding docs!
From iOS · 10 月 10, 2026 · View source
MJ_SFS ★ 4.0

Migrating from claude/gpt/grok

It’s really good! Wired up to third party open weight provider…was simple. I would give it 5 stars, …
From iOS · 9 月 27, 2026 · View source

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