Cumbersome vs Estratum

IMPORTANT: Requires your own provider API keys or an OpenAI-compatible endpoint. 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. WHY I BUILT THIS Consumer AI apps hide the controls I want and lock me into one provider. 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. SUPPORTED PROVIDERS - ChatGPT / OpenAI - Claude / Anthropic - Gemini / Google AI Studio - OpenRouter multi-provider - Vercel AI Gateway multi-provider - Z.ai - OpenAI-compatible custom endpoints, including Ollama, Azure, LM Studio, Groq, Together, and self-hosted backends WHAT YOU GET - A versatile API client. One app, every major provider and model. - Total control. Pick your model, tune the parameters, switch providers mid-conversation. - Compare models head to head. Stream multiple chats in parallel and let an AI judge pick the best. - Bring your own tools. Local browser use, reasoning, web search, image generation. - Rich, editable conversations. Markdown, LaTeX, code blocks, attachments, edit and export anything. - Private by design. iCloud sync across devices. Nothing saved to our servers. - Native and accessible on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. MAJOR FEATURES ADDED IN 2026 Highlights only. New in 1.74.0: Incognito chats. Search Project documents and conversations with Pro. 2026-09-21: Independent iPad chat windows. 2026-09-14: Read replies aloud as they arrive. Save and Restart after editing. 2026-08-29: Select multiple chats. Mac export/import of all chats. 2026-08-21: Background replies on iOS 26. Question Cards for clarification. 2026-08-18: Web Agent: a shared, interactive browser. 2026-08-06: Highlight passages and attach notes for your next reply. 2026-08-03: Local Python analysis, charts, Mermaid, Markdown export. 2026-07-31: Gemini video. Responses API for custom providers. 2026-07-28: Parallel browser and MCP tools. 2026-07-23: Mind/Meld combines three AI responses into one. 2026-07-18: Full Simplified Chinese support. 2026-07-12: Ghost/Write drafts your next turn. 2026-07-09: Remote MCP servers and tools. 2026-07-02: Chat themes and reading fonts (Serif, Rounded, Mono). 2026-06-28: Folder system message presets. 2026-06-24: Prompt caching, with usage across providers. 2026-06-17: Reusable system presets per conversation. 2026-06-16: Offload long system messages to iCloud Drive. 2026-06-15: Toggle custom API parameters. 2026-06-11: Compact chats to lower API costs. 2026-06-07: Run JavaScript and HTML. 2026-06-04: OpenRouter PDF parsing and search engine options. 2026-05-12: Quick Prompt shortcut and App Visibility on Mac. 2026-05-09: Folders to group and organize chats. 2026-05-03: Collapsible sidebar sections, synced across devices. 2026-04-22: Image generation with OpenAI and Gemini. 2026-04-18: Local browser search and browsing. 2026-04-11: Headless browser mode. 2026-04-03: Searchable model picker. 2026-03-15: Extended thinking and reasoning across providers. 2026-03-09: Auto-delete chats after a set number of days. 2026-02-28: Custom OpenAI-compatible providers. 2026-02-25: Only Search When Requested. 2026-02-24: Image paste, attachment previews, PDF thumbnails. 2026-02-21: Siri and Shortcuts. 2026-02-20: Vercel AI Gateway and model filters. 2026-02-06: Voice Control, Larger Text, higher contrast. 2026-01-11: VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, keyboard navigation. 2026-01-06: OpenRouter integration. THE DEAL Core features are free. An optional Cumbersome Pro subscription adds advanced Project tools and supports ongoing development. You pay providers directly for API usage. 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.

LESS NOISE IN YOUR HEAD. MORE CLARITY IN YOUR DAY. How much energy do you spend trying not to forget an appointment, an idea, a task or a small detail you may need later? Estratum reduces that mental load. Write down what is on your mind and get back to your day: it saves it, organizes it and helps you find it when it matters again. CAPTURE BEFORE IT SLIPS AWAY Write, dictate or photograph a printed appointment, a receipt, a whiteboard or a set of instructions. No folders, categories or tags to prepare. Organization happens afterwards. AI DOES THE INVISIBLE WORK Estratum recognizes notes, tasks, appointments, deadlines, expenses, ideas and memories. You capture the moment; the app brings order to it. Search by meaning retrieves the context even when you do not repeat the exact words you wrote. Ask “What did we decide about Atlas?” or “What do I have tomorrow?” and open the notes behind the answer. TODAY AND TOMORROW, AT A GLANCE The intelligent TODAY section brings together appointments, tasks and dated items from Home and Work, so you do not start by checking separate notes, calendars and lists. Swipe to prepare TOMORROW and use the calendar to see everything ahead. YOUR MEMORY CAN LIVE ON YOUR IPHONE With a local engine, Estratum organizes, searches and answers on-device. After the initial download it can work without internet: your notes are not sent to a server, no account is required, and there are no token or query fees. If you prefer an external provider, connect your own OpenAI or OpenRouter key. The app warns you before sending the required context to the provider you choose. FREE THINKS THE SAME. PRO THINKS MORE ABOUT YOU. Free includes the same AI, every engine, unlimited saves, basic reminders and 15 questions per week. Estratum Pro adds unlimited questions, Knowledge Map, Journal, reminders that choose a useful lead time, and automatic Home/Work switching. Unlock it with one purchase—no subscription or recurring fee. Designed for people with ADHD, neurodivergent minds and anyone living with a high mental load. Estratum does not diagnose or treat any condition. YOUR LIFE IS YOURS The main database lives on your iPhone. Apple Calendar integration is optional and writes to a separate calendar. No ads. No selling your data. Write it down. Estratum takes care of the order.