RoamSocket is an open-source, native iOS AI client built in SwiftUI, paired with a desktop companion server that runs an AI coding agent. It includes Chat, Vision, Voice, Code, and Study modes, supports every major AI provider with your own API keys, and can run models fully on-device via Apple Metal (MLX).

Does RoamSocket work offline?

Yes. Download MLX models in Settings → On-device (Metal) and chat works with no network connection. Apple Intelligence (Foundation Models) also runs locally on supported devices running iOS 26 or later.

Which AI providers does RoamSocket support?

Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, Groq, OpenRouter, xAI, Mistral, MiniMax, Apple Intelligence, on-device MLX models, and any custom endpoint that speaks the OpenAI or Anthropic API style. You bring your own API keys; they are stored in the iOS Keychain.

How does the coding agent work?

The iOS app pairs with the desktop server over WebSocket. The server clones your GitHub repository, runs the agent loop, executes tools like bash, file edits, and git commands, then streams tool calls and diffs back to your phone — finishing by opening a pull request.

Yes, completely. RoamSocket is open source under the MIT License with no subscription or upsell. Some models require a paid API key, but plenty of free models are available — you can use every feature without paying. The main value-add is remote coding running on your own compute via the desktop server.

What do I need to build it?

For the iOS app: a Mac with Xcode 15+ and XcodeGen (iOS 17+ device or simulator). For the desktop server: Node.js 20+ on macOS, Linux, or Windows — install it with npm i @roamsocket/server.

RoamSocket

One app replaces a whole drawer of subscriptions.

Chat, Vision, Voice, Code, Study, and automations — every one of these products has been done before. Never all together, never on-device via Metal, never in one native iOS app. Here's what RoamSocket replaces, and what each one really costs you — in dollars, privacy, and energy.

Apple Intelligence / Vision

RoamSocket replaces it for: Vision analysis + on-device chat

PriceFreebundled with hardware

PrivacyCleanOn-device — but locked to Apple-only models and capabilities

EnvironmentCleanRuns on your phone

Google Lens

RoamSocket replaces it for: Point-camera visual answers

PriceFreeyou are the product

PrivacyCostlyEvery capture is processed in Google cloud and tied to your ad profile

EnvironmentCostlyDatacenter inference on every scan

ChatGPT

RoamSocket replaces it for: General AI chat

Price$20/moPlus, for the good models

PrivacyMixedConversations processed and retained on OpenAI servers

EnvironmentCostlyEvery message is a datacenter round-trip

Claude Code

RoamSocket replaces it for: Terminal coding agent

Price$20+/moor metered API usage

PrivacyMixedYour source code streams through Anthropic cloud

EnvironmentMixedCloud tokens for every tool call

Grok

RoamSocket replaces it for: Alternative AI chat

Price$8+/mobundled with X Premium

PrivacyCostlyCloud chat with a track record of training on public posts by default

EnvironmentCostlyDatacenter inference per message

PhotoMath

RoamSocket replaces it for: Scan-a-question homework help

PriceFree w/ ads≈$10/mo to remove them

PrivacyMixedCamera captures sent to cloud for solving

EnvironmentMixedCloud compute per problem

Traditional SSH

RoamSocket replaces it for: Driving your dev machine remotely

PriceFreebut entirely manual

PrivacyCleanPrivate — yet no AI, no agent, tiny phone keyboard

EnvironmentCleanNegligible

Cloud Browser Automations

RoamSocket replaces it for: AI agents that click around the web for you

PriceMeteredper-task cloud fees

PrivacyCostlyA hosted browser logged into your accounts, driven by someone else’s servers

EnvironmentCostlyHeadless-browser farms burn compute 24/7

The math is simple.

$60+/month of overlapping subscriptions, your code and camera flowing through someone else's datacenter — replaced by one free app, your own API keys, and on-device Metal models that work at 35,000 feet.

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