Comparison

Cumbersome vs Focusly

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Cumbersome

Connect directly to AI provider APIs for greater control over model selection and parameters. Compare different AI models, pay per use, and customize responses with advanced features. Supports multiple providers and custom endpoints.

Highlights
  • Direct API connections
  • Multi-provider support
  • Full parameter control
  • Face/Off Mode with AI judge
  • Concurrent chats
  • Edit messages
  • Rich content support
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Focusly

Read full description

Focusly is a calm visual focus timer for reading, studying, deep work, and the tasks that deserve your full attention. Choose one task, start a session, and watch the screen fill with color as focused time grows. Focusly keeps the structure clear while your attention stays on the work. FOCUS WITH INTENTION - Start unlimited 15- or 25-minute focus sessions for free - Keep the selected task visible in portrait and landscape - Pause, resume, or close a session while saving focused time - Follow the countdown with widgets, Live Activities, and Dynamic Island - Continue an ambient sound while the screen is locked TURN PLANS INTO PROGRESS - Keep up to 2 active tasks free; completed tasks do not count toward the limit - Add categories, notes, due dates, and session estimates - Connect focus sessions to tasks and see session progress - Review finished work in the Completed list UNDERSTAND YOUR RHYTHM - Review daily and weekly focused time, sessions, and streaks - See recent focus history and activity at a glance MAKE FOCUS SOUND LIKE YOU - Use Rainy Library or a silent timer for free - Preview the complete sound library and two-layer sound mixer FOCUSLY PRO - Unlock 45- and 60-minute presets and custom timers from 5 to 180 minutes - Create unlimited active tasks - Receive session completion notifications - Unlock four additional ambient sounds - Mix two sound layers, adjust each volume, and save named mixes - Explore 30-day insights and period comparisons - Choose from five exclusive alternate app icons Focusly Pro is available as a monthly or yearly auto-renewing subscription. The yearly plan includes a 7-day free trial for eligible new subscribers. Localized price and offer eligibility appear before purchase. Manage or cancel your subscription through your Apple Account. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Focusly works without an account. Tasks, sessions, preferences, and focus history remain on your device. Focusly has no ads and does not track you across apps or websites. Apple processes payments, and RevenueCat processes anonymous purchase history to validate subscriptions, prevent fraud, provide Pro access, and measure subscription performance. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://focusly-support.ndsgnnn.chatgpt.site/privacy

Screenshots

Cumbersome4 screens
Focusly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Cumbersome at 3 against Focusly's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Cumbersome sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Focusly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cumbersome ships an update every 3 days, Focusly every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Cumbersome versus Focusly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCumbersomeFocusly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (94 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings94 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size78 MB19 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFolding Sky CoNurmuxammad Jobborov

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Cumbersome

Subscriptions2
  • Cumbersome Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Cumbersome Pro Annual$39.991 Year
2 purchases

Focusly

Subscriptions2
  • Focusly Pro Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Focusly Pro Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Cumbersome free?
Cumbersome is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focusly free?
Focusly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cumbersome or Focusly have ads?
Neither Cumbersome nor Focusly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cumbersome or Focusly?
Cumbersome ships an update every 3 days, and Focusly every 5 days. Most recently, Cumbersome was updated on October 17, 2026 and Focusly on September 26, 2026.

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