Comparison

Cedar Assistant vs Lumey

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

Head to head
About

Cedar Assistant

This AI workspace allows users to select and utilize various language models for different tasks. It supports on-device processing, self-hosted open-source models, and cloud-based AI systems. Users can fine-tune settings, attach files, generate images, and view web citations.

Highlights
  • Choose from multiple AI models
  • On-device processing with Apple Intelligence
  • Connect to self-hosted Ollama servers
  • Integrate with cloud models (Claude, OpenAI, Gemini)
  • Fine-tune conversation settings
  • Attach files and generate images
  • View web citations
Read full description

Cedar is a flexible AI workspace for iPhone and iPad that lets you choose the right model for the job. Use Apple Intelligence for on-device experiences, connect to your own Ollama server for self-hosted open-source models, or work with cloud models from Claude, OpenAI, and Gemini, all from one app. Switch between providers and models per conversation, fine-tune behavior with conversation-specific settings, attach files in supported workflows, generate images with supported OpenAI and Gemini models, and view web citations when supported responses include them. Cedar also brings Claude Managed Agents into the app, giving you a more powerful way to handle multi-step work and specialized assistants in one place. You stay in control of how each conversation is handled. Keep work on-device with Apple Intelligence, route it through your own Ollama setup, or use connected providers when you want access to their hosted models and tools. Cedar is designed to make those choices clear and practical, while securely storing API keys in Keychain. Whether you want private on-device help, self-hosted open-source models, or access to leading cloud AI systems, Cedar makes it easy to move between them without changing apps or workflows. It’s built for people who want one place to explore, compare, and work with modern AI on their own terms.

About

Lumey

Features
Read full description

Lumey runs LLMs entirely on your iPhone. No servers. No logs. No telemetry. Chats, voice notes, and documents you import never leave the device. Pick from open-weight and proprietary models, side by side. A quick reasoner for everyday questions, a heavier model for code or long-form work; simply switch between them in a tap. Every model runs locally on Apple Silicon. Bring your own knowledge. Attach PDFs, plain text, or markdown directly to a chat. Lumey chunks and embeds the content on-device, so retrieval happens locally. Install curated knowledge packs for specific domains, or mention them mid-chat to scope a single reply. Organise your data into multiple vaults. Keep work and personal context separate. Turn on Travel Mode and every vault locks behind Face ID the moment the app backgrounds. WHAT'S INSIDE • Open-weight and proprietary LLMs running locally on Apple Silicon • Curated knowledge packs that plug into on-device retrieval • Manage multiple vaults to compartmentalize chats, documents, and voice notes • Voice notes transcribed entirely on-device • Travel Mode: biometric lock on backgrounding and vault hiding LUMEY PRO Unlock every model and every knowledge pack with a monthly or yearly subscription. The free tier includes the proprietary system model and some starter packs, enough to use Lumey as a private daily assistant without paying. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Cedar Assistant4 screens
Lumey3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cedar Assistant at none against Lumey's 2. Lumey's advantage is update cadence (daily vs weekly) and iOS requirement (18.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Lumey sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Cedar Assistant asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cedar Assistant ships an update weekly, Lumey daily. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Cedar Assistant versus Lumey: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCedar AssistantLumey
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS26.018.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB20 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperMatthew WoodruffMyrro

In-app purchases

None

Cedar Assistant

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Lumey

Subscriptions2
  • Lumey Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Lumey Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Cedar Assistant free?
Cedar Assistant is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lumey free?
Lumey is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cedar Assistant or Lumey have ads?
Neither Cedar Assistant nor Lumey shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cedar Assistant or Lumey?
Cedar Assistant ships an update weekly, and Lumey daily. Most recently, Cedar Assistant was updated on October 16, 2026 and Lumey on October 25, 2026.

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