Comparison

Cumbersome vs CheekCache

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

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.

About

CheekCache

Features
Read full description

Keep links from Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and websites in one place. In the source app, tap Share, then choose CheekCache. You can also add an address manually. Organize links with tags, icons and colors. Find them using search and filters, add notes and set reminders. Share several links as one collection, or choose which links to save from a collection you receive. Collect recipes, places to visit, accommodation, shopping ideas and study materials. CheekCache saves links to original content; it does not download videos or archive full web pages. Your library stays on your device and works without an account. Browse saved data offline and export a JSON backup. Opening sources and fetching previews requires internet access. Previews depend on the source website. The free app contains ads. Selected titles, addresses and tags are stored on our server for 30 days. Anyone with the link can read this collection.

Screenshots

Cumbersome4 screens
CheekCache3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CheekCache at none against Cumbersome's 2. CheekCache also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Cumbersome's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and update cadence 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. CheekCache asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cumbersome ships an update every 3 days, CheekCache every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Cumbersome versus CheekCache: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCumbersomeCheekCache
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (99 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings99 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 5 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB116 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFolding Sky CoMichal Flis

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Cumbersome

Subscriptions2
  • Cumbersome Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Cumbersome Pro Annual$39.991 Year
None

CheekCache

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cumbersome free?
Cumbersome is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CheekCache free?
CheekCache is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cumbersome or CheekCache have ads?
CheekCache shows ads; Cumbersome does not.
Which is updated more often, Cumbersome or CheekCache?
Cumbersome ships an update every 3 days, and CheekCache every 5 days. Most recently, Cumbersome was updated on October 30, 2026 and CheekCache on October 29, 2026.

Other comparisons