Cumbersome: AI API Client
OpenAI & Anthropic API Client
Free
NOTE: Requires API keys from OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google AI Studio. Not plug-and-play like ChatGPT or Claude.
Cumbersome is the manual transmission of AI apps. More complex than consumer products, but with far greater control and transparency that power users demand.
Face/Off Mode is the flagship feature: generate 3 AI responses with different creativity levels, then an AI judge evaluates all 3 and crowns the winner. Get the best response on the first try.
WHAT YOU GET
— Face/Off Mode: 3 responses compete, AI judge picks the winner
— Direct access to flagship AI models without corporate downgrades
— Document-style workspace instead of cramped chat bubbles
— Edit any conversation message to improve context and responses
— Switch between AI providers mid-conversation
— Native apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac with iCloud sync
— Complete privacy: your data never touches our servers
— Transparent pricing: pay providers directly at cost
WHY CUMBERSOME EXISTS
Consumer AI apps route requests to cheaper models behind the scenes, hide costs with subscriptions, and cram serious work into chat bubble interfaces designed for texting.
You bring your own API keys and connect directly to AI providers. We're out of the money flow and data collection business entirely.
KEY FEATURES
Face/Off Mode: Generate 3 responses with different creativity levels. An AI judge evaluates all 3, picks the winner, and explains why. Perfect for critical tasks where quality matters more than cost.
Direct Model Access: Connect to actual flagship models. No secret routing to cheaper versions.
Document Workspace: Full-screen document interface for real work. Edit AI responses inline, view markdown rendering, and actually read long outputs without scrolling through chat bubbles.
Conversation Editing: Edit any message in your chat history. Remove off-topic messages, fix context drift, create perfect conversation templates.
Multi-Provider Switching: Switch between OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic mid-conversation. Compare responses side-by-side.
Cross-Device Sync: Native apps for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Everything syncs via your personal iCloud—not our servers.
True Privacy: Your device connects directly to AI providers. We literally cannot see your conversations. We have no backend database.
Cost Transparency: See exactly what each request costs in real-time. Most users spend $2-10/month instead of $40-60 for multiple AI subscriptions.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Perfect for developers, researchers, and power users frustrated with consumer AI apps that secretly downgrade performance, impose artificial limits, and collect your data.
GETTING STARTED
1. Download Cumbersome (100% free)
2. Create developer accounts at OpenAI, Google AI Studio, and/or Anthropic
3. Generate API keys in their developer consoles
4. Enter your keys in Cumbersome
5. Start chatting with flagship models at transparent costs
HONEST WARNINGS
This app requires technical knowledge. You'll manage API keys, see technical parameters, and need to understand model differences. If you want AI to "just work," stick with consumer apps.
If you want control, transparency, document-style workspace, and complete privacy—welcome to the complexity you've been missing.
PRICING
The app is 100% free. You pay AI providers directly through your own accounts. No subscriptions, no markup, no data monetization.
Ratings & Reviews
This app has not received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview.
- migrate to SwiftData for better cross-device syncing.
- overscroll UI improvements.
- more Liquid Glass for iOS and macOS 26.
### Bug Fixes
- scrolling spacing.
- deleting messages issue.
- streaming messages and swiftdata and cloudkit.
- face/off mode and migration.
- for smaller screens like 16e.
- indicate thinking + tools for all out tokens.
- glass style on ios >= 26.
- refine face/off button size in iOS.
- add more padding to input.
- auto-scroll.
- shorter input text.
- buttons inside macos chat input.
### Maintenance
- bump version to 1.8.0 build 27
- enable code stripping.
- bump to 1.8.0.
- try to fix legacy data.
- uninstall dev script.
### Tests
- swiftdata and cloudkit.
- complete swiftdata.
- keep refining.
- get them compiling.
### Documentation
- mostly complete swiftdata.
- plan swiftdata migration.
- add refactoring doc.
- liquid glass rules.
### Refactoring
- MainNavigationView.
The developer, Folding Sky Co, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Folding Sky Co
- Size
- 18.1 MB
- Category
- Productivity
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 18.0 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 18.0 or later. - iPad
Requires iPadOS 18.0 or later. - Mac
Requires macOS 15.0 or later. - Apple Vision
Requires visionOS 2.0 or later.
- Age Rating
13+
- 13+
- Infrequent
Profanity or Crude Humour
Mature or Suggestive Themes
Horror/Fear Themes
Medical Treatment Information
Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Use or References
Sexual Content or Nudity
Guns or Other Weapons
- Copyright
- © 2025 Folding Sky Co