MCP Comparison · 2026
Basic Memory vs Memory MCP Server
Comparing Basic Memory and Memory as MCP servers? Basic Memory (remember in markdown) is best when local-first agent memory. Memory (persist knowledge graph) is best when long-running agent workflows. Both run as Model Context Protocol servers and can coexist in the same client. Updated 2026.
Side-by-side specs
Pulled from each MCP's verified fact sheet.
| Basic Memory | Memory | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Remember in Markdown | Persist Knowledge Graph |
| Maintainer | Basic Machines | Anthropic (modelcontextprotocol) |
| Pricing | Open source | Open source |
| Setup complexity | Low · ~5 min | Low · ~2 min |
| Transport | stdio | stdio |
| Auth model | None | None |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Latest version | 0.22.1 | latest |
| Compatible clients | Claude, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Obsidian, Any MCP-compatible client | Claude, Any MCP-compatible client |
| Last verified | 2026-06-22 | 2026-05-31 |
Which one should you pick?
Decision rubric drawn from each MCP's documented strengths.
Choose Basic Memory
- Local-first agent memory
- Obsidian vault read/write from an agent
- Inspectable, git-versionable memory
Choose Memory
- Long-running agent workflows
- Personal AI assistants
- Project tracking
Pick something else if…
- Multi-tenant SaaS memory at scale
- Single-session tasks
Feature breakdown
Key capabilities each server ships out of the box.
Basic Memory
- Memory stored as plain Markdown on disk
- Semantic graph built from note links
- Obsidian-compatible vaults
- Read-only / destructive / idempotent MCP tool annotations
- Optional cloud sync, local by default
Memory
- Persistent knowledge graph
- Entity and relationship storage
- Cross-session memory
- Local file storage
- Official Anthropic support
Install snippets
Open the detail page for ready-to-paste config for every major client.
FAQ
Basic Memory vs Memory: which MCP server should I use?
Pick Basic Memory when local-first agent memory. Pick Memory when long-running agent workflows. Basic Memory is built for remember in markdown, while Memory focuses on persist knowledge graph.
Can I run both Basic Memory and Memory together?
Yes. MCP clients run each server as a separate process and surface every server's tools simultaneously, so you can install both and let your agent decide which to call. Be deliberate with auth scopes when stacking servers.
How fresh is this comparison?
Updated for 2026. Basic Memory's last verification: 2026-06-22. Memory's last verification: 2026-05-31. We refresh detail-page facts on every catalog rebuild.
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