Memos
Privacy-first, lightweight note-taking service. Capture and share your great thoughts.
Open the official app on demo.usememos.com
This tool is hosted by its maintainers. Click below to open demo.usememos.com in a new tab — it's their official demo.
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Choose how you want to get started.
Use it free
Open the official tool or demo — no account needed.
Self-host it
Run the open-source version on your own infrastructure.
What is Memos?
Memos is an open-source, self-hosted note-taking tool designed for rapid idea capture and organization. Built with Markdown at its core, it enables users to create, edit, and manage notes through a lightweight interface. The tool caters to developers, knowledge workers, and teams seeking a customizable, privacy-focused alternative to proprietary note-taking applications. By hosting the application locally, users maintain full control over their data, avoiding reliance on third-party cloud services. Memos addresses the need for a simple, distraction-free environment to document thoughts, track tasks, and structure information without unnecessary complexity. Its MIT license encourages community contributions, making it a popular choice for those prioritizing transparency and flexibility in their workflows.
How it works
Memos is a self-hosted note-taking application that emphasizes speed, simplicity, and Markdown compatibility. It allows users to create and organize notes through a minimalistic web interface, with all data stored locally or on a private server. The tool is ideal for individuals and teams requiring a lightweight, customizable solution for capturing ideas, managing tasks, and structuring knowledge. Its open-source nature ensures transparency and adaptability to diverse workflows. Memos supports Markdown formatting, enabling rich text creation without bloated interfaces. Users can structure notes with headers, lists, and links, while the self-hosting model ensures data remains under their control. The tool also includes basic search functionality and supports multiple note organization methods, such as tags or folders.
How to use it
- 1Clone the repository from GitHub to a local machine. 2. Install dependencies using a package manager. 3. Configure the server settings, including database storage and port access. 4. Launch the application via a web browser, accessing it through the specified local IP or domain. Practical tips include using a static file server for simplicity, enabling HTTPS for secure access, and organizing notes through hierarchical folder structures. Regular backups of the database are recommended to prevent data loss.
What it can do
- Note-taking
Use cases
Assumptions and limitations
Assumptions
- source: https://github.com/memos
- license: MIT — free to use
- privacy: Opens an external demo
Limitations
- Requires technical expertise to set up and maintain a self-hosted instance
- Lacks real-time collaborative editing features
- Limited built-in search capabilities compared to dedicated note-taking software
- Dependence on Markdown may pose a learning curve for non-technical users
- Security risks if not properly configured for local network access
Understanding the result
Privacy-first, lightweight note-taking service. Capture and share your great thoughts.
Tool details
- Clearly flagged when a network request is needed.
- No account, no sign-up, and no tracking of your content.
- Powered by memos (MIT).
- Built with
- memos (https://github.com/memos)
- License
- MIT
- Runs locally
- No — requires a network request
- Verification
- Not yet verified
- Input
- Text
- Output
- Output
Built with https://github.com/memos. OpenToolVault provides the discovery and browser interface while crediting the original project maintainers.
- Built with
- memos
- License
- MIT
Open-source project
OpenToolVault is an independent directory. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by this project.
References
- /memos — GitHub Repository
Upstream project · GitHub
- MIT License
Upstream project
Frequently asked
How do I access Memos after setting it up?
After installation, access Memos by navigating to the local IP address or domain configured during setup. Ensure your browser is set to allow local network connections. If using a static IP, verify network settings to maintain access across device reboots.
How does Memos handle data storage?
Memos stores notes in a database file or directory, depending on the configured backend. By default, it uses SQLite for simplicity, but users can switch to PostgreSQL or MySQL for scalability. All data resides locally unless explicitly configured to use a remote server.
How do I create a new note?
Navigate to the desired folder in the web interface, click the 'New Note' button, and input your Markdown content. Save the note with a filename in Markdown format (e.g., 'project-plan.md'). Use headers and links to structure information for easy navigation.
How does Memos compare to Notion or Obsidian?
Unlike Notion's all-in-one workspace or Obsidian's knowledge graph features, Memos focuses on simplicity and Markdown-native editing. It lacks advanced collaboration tools and graph-based linking but offers greater control over data hosting and customization through open-source development.
What should I do if the setup fails?
Check firewall settings to ensure the configured port is open. Verify dependencies are correctly installed and the database file has proper permissions. Review the GitHub repository's issue tracker for known setup problems, and consult the documentation for troubleshooting steps related to your operating system.