Alternatives to Memos
A self-hosted, open-source note-taking service that keeps quick Markdown notes in a private timeline. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Memos
A self-hosted, open-source note-taking service that keeps quick Markdown notes in a private timeline.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Memos.
Blinko
An open-source, self-hosted note tool with AI features, built for private quick notes.
Blinko is an open-source, self-hosted quick-notes tool with built-in AI features, installed via Docker Compose, script or Helm chart, with AI requiring a configured model provider.
flatnotes
A self-hosted note-taking web app that stores every note as a Markdown file in one folder.
flatnotes is a self-hosted web app storing every note as a Markdown file in one folder, with no database, but it has no timeline layout.
Nextcloud Notes
A distraction-free Markdown notes app for Nextcloud that stores notes as files on your server.
Nextcloud Notes stores Markdown notes as plain files on your own Nextcloud server with an API for clients, but uses folders rather than a timeline layout.
SilverBullet
Keep linked Markdown notes in a self-hosted browser workspace.
SilverBullet is an MIT-licensed, self-hosted browser workspace for linked Markdown notes with live previews, queries and programmable extensions, suited to longer structured notes.
Google Keep
A note service from Google for quick notes, checklists and reminders that sync across devices.
Google Keep is a free hosted service for quick notes, checklists and reminders, removing server upkeep but storing notes on Google's servers and requiring a Google account.
Simplenote
Minimal note app that syncs plain-text and Markdown notes across devices.
Simplenote is open source with free hosted sync across desktop and Android, so no server is needed, but notes sit unencrypted on Automattic's servers.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Memos as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
RedNotebook
Keep a searchable desktop journal with dated entries.
Memos keeps quick Markdown notes and daily logs in a private timeline on your own server, requiring you to run and maintain it.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Karakeep
Save bookmarks, notes and documents in a self-hosted library.
TiddlyWiki
A non-linear personal notebook that runs as a single self-contained HTML file in a browser.
TriliumNext Notes
A hierarchical note app where one note can live in several places at once, with a server you can host.
Twos
An app for quickly writing down notes, to-dos, reminders and events organised by day.
Tot
A small text scratchpad for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch that syncs through iCloud.
Drafts
An Apple-platform app for capturing text quickly and sending it elsewhere with actions.
