Cumbersome vs Cue by Manus

Use Apple Private Cloud Compute, your 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 - Apple Private Cloud Compute - 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 New in 2.0.0: Apple Private Cloud Compute. No API key. Requires iOS/iPadOS/macOS 27, an Apple Intelligence device, and internet. Apple usage limits apply. 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 API providers directly for 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.

Cue has its own identity and can use the apps you authorize to help with everyday tasks, online and in person. From choosing a coffee and planning a trip to organizing your day and helping you learn, Cue can be there to lend a hand. GIVE YOUR CUE AN IDENTITY Give your Cue its own email address, phone number, computer, and wallet. Within the permissions you set, it can communicate, use digital services, and complete purchases and payments with your approval. SCAN A QR CODE. LET CUE HELP YOU ORDER. At supported cafés, restaurants, and other locations, scan a business’s service QR code, such as one for ordering, to create a dedicated Cue for that service. Let it explore the menu, help you choose based on your tastes, and place an order. You confirm the payment. YOUR EVERYDAY HELPER From planning a trip to everyday shopping, Cue can help you take care of daily tasks. When you need a flight, a hotel, or everyday essentials, let Cue help you find and compare options, choose what works for you, and complete bookings, orders, and payments after you confirm. LET CUE USE YOUR APPS With your permission, Cue can connect to and use supported apps, including email, calendar, and messaging services. It can help organize travel details, plan everyday activities, and adjust your schedule when plans change. You can decide at any time which apps Cue can use and what permissions to grant. REMEMBER WHAT MATTERS Memory and Dream help Cue remember your food preferences, travel habits, learning progress, and the plans you want to stick with. When you return, it can pick up where you left off, without you having to explain everything again. AUTOMATE EVERYDAY ROUTINES Have Cue put together your daily agenda, help prepare a weekly shopping list, or watch for changes that matter to you. Automations can run on a schedule or respond to supported events and conditions. You decide what starts each workflow and what your Cue does next. Cue currently requires an invitation code. You can create an account for free and enter your code after signing in. Once you have access, Plus membership is included at no charge. Privacy Policy: https://manus.im/privacy Terms of Use: https://manus.im/terms