AgentKit Cloud vs Apple Foundation Models
As of June 2026, Apple's framework runs models on-device, on Apple's Private Cloud Compute, and via Claude and Gemini packages. What it has no concept of is a backend: no end-user identity, no per-user spend caps, no server-side control. AgentKit Cloud is that backend, and it reaches the older iPhones Apple's framework cannot.
Apple Foundation Models is Apple's Swift framework for running language models on-device and through Apple's Private Cloud Compute, on iOS 26 and later (as of June 2026).
| AgentKit Cloud | Apple Foundation Models | |
|---|---|---|
| Model providers | Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, and Apple on-device | Apple, plus Claude and Gemini packages |
| Provider keys off the device | Encrypted server-side; the app ships a publishable key | None on-device; you manage any cloud keys |
| End-user identity verified per request | A JWT from your trusted issuer, checked every request | No backend, so no end-user check |
| Hard spend cap per user | A hard ceiling per user and per project. Hit it, requests stop. | No usage backend |
| Subscription-tier model routing | Bind tiers to RevenueCat entitlements | No entitlement routing |
| Change models without an app update | Name a tier; remap it server-side | Chosen in the app |
| On-device option | Apple Foundation Models on-device, cloud when needed | On-device and Apple's server |
| In-app agent loop with tools, guards, undo | Runs in your app with guards, undo, and run limits | Tools and guided generation, no guard or undo layer |
| Device attestation | Optional App Attest binds requests to real devices | App Attest exists, but no server to bind it to |
| Backend to build and maintain | None. AgentKit Cloud is the backend. | None on-device; build any server yourself |
AgentKit runs on-device too
The SDK runs Apple Foundation Models on-device. The difference is the server layer around it, not the model.
A backend, not just a framework
Apple's framework is client-side: prompts, tools, and model choice live in the app. AgentKit keeps them server-side, with end-user identity and per-user spend caps.
Reach older iPhones
Apple Foundation Models needs iOS 26 and Apple Intelligence hardware (iPhone 15 Pro and later). Cloud inference runs the same agents on the older iPhones your users already carry.