Note-taking tools have become essential to our digital lives. Yet most popular platforms—Notion, Evernote, OneNote—trade your privacy for convenience, lock your data behind proprietary walls, and charge recurring fees for features you may never use. Memos is here to change that. This open-source, self-hosted note-taking solution puts you back in control, offering a beautifully simple, lightning-fast, and privacy-first way to capture your knowledge—on your terms.
Website: https://www.usememos.com/
usememos
Why Choose Memos?
In a landscape dominated by closed-source, cloud-based note apps, Memos stands out with a radically different approach:
- Privacy First
All your notes are stored locally, never sent to the cloud unless you choose. Your thoughts remain yours—no data mining, no third-party analytics, no risk of leaks. - Lightning-Fast & Lightweight
Built with Go and React.js, Memos delivers instant performance in a tiny package. Start writing in seconds, even on modest hardware or a Raspberry Pi. - Markdown Power
Enjoy the speed and flexibility of plain text with full Markdown support for formatting, code snippets, and easy sharing. - Customizable & Extensible
Personalize your workspace with custom server names, icons, themes, and even execution scripts. Make Memos truly yours. - Open Source & Free Forever
No subscriptions, no paywalls, no feature gating. All code is available under the MIT license, with a thriving community of contributors. - Effortless Deployment
Spin up your own Memos instance in seconds with Docker, or run it natively on any major OS.
Spotlight on Key Features
1. Effortless Note Capture
• Quick plain-text entry for ideas, todos, and microblogs
• Markdown support for rich formatting
• Tagging and search for instant retrieval
• Pin important notes for easy access
2. Privacy & Data Ownership
• All data stored locally by default
• No forced cloud sync or external dependencies
• Export and backup your notes at any time
3. Customization & Personalization
• Change server name, icon, and description
• Switch between light and dark themes
• Customize system style and execution scripts
4. Lightweight, Powerful Architecture
• Built with Go and React.js for speed and reliability
• Minimal resource usage—perfect for self-hosting
• Docker-ready for one-command deployment
5. Community-Driven Development
• 39,000+ GitHub stars and 300+ contributors
• Frequent updates and new features
• Active Discord and GitHub Discussions for support
Memos vs. Closed-Source Alternatives
How does Memos compare to the big names in note-taking? Here’s a side-by-side look:
| Feature | Memos | Notion | Evernote | Microsoft OneNote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free, open-source | $8-$15/month | $8-$15/month | Free (with MS account) |
| Data Control | 100% local/self-hosted | Cloud-only | Cloud-only | Cloud or local, but syncs to MS servers |
| Source Code | ✅ MIT License | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed | ❌ Closed |
| Markdown Support | ✅ Full | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ None |
| Offline Access | ✅ Always | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ✅ |
| Customization | ✅ Full | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited |
| Export Options | ✅ Plain text, Markdown | ⚠️ Proprietary formats | ⚠️ ENEX, HTML | ⚠️ OneNote format, PDF |
| Mobile Support | PWA, browser-based | Native apps | Native apps | Native apps |
| Community | 39k+ stars, open dev | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Beyond the Feature Matrix
- No Vendor Lock-In: With Memos, your notes are always accessible, exportable, and portable—no proprietary formats or forced subscriptions.
- No Data Mining: Unlike cloud-based tools, Memos never scans your notes for advertising or analytics.
- No Feature Gating: All features are available to every user, with no upsells or premium tiers.
- No Subscription Fatigue: Use Memos for free, forever, with no hidden costs.
Getting Started in Minutes
Memos is designed for effortless deployment:
🐳 Docker (Recommended)
docker run -d --name memos -p 5230:5230 -v ~/.memos/:/var/opt/memos neosmemo/memos:stable
💻 Native Installation
- Download the latest release from GitHub
- Run the binary for your OS
- Access your notes at
http://localhost:5230
🌐 Try the Live Demo
Experience Memos instantly at usememos.com
Real-World Success Stories
"I switched from Evernote to Memos and finally feel like my notes are truly mine. No more worrying about privacy or losing access if a company changes direction."
— Priya, Researcher
"Memos is so fast and simple, I use it for everything from daily journaling to technical notes. The Markdown support is a game-changer."
— Alex, Software Engineer
Practical Applications
Personal Knowledge Base
Build your own Zettelkasten or second brain, with full control over your data and workflow.
Microblogging & Journaling
Capture fleeting thoughts, daily logs, and ideas in a frictionless, distraction-free environment.
Technical Documentation
Write and organize code snippets, how-tos, and troubleshooting notes with Markdown formatting.
Team Collaboration (Self-Hosted)
Deploy Memos for your team to share notes, meeting minutes, and project documentation—without exposing sensitive data to third parties.
Join the Memos Community
With over 39,000 GitHub stars and a vibrant contributor base, Memos is one of the fastest-growing open-source note-taking projects:
- Contribute Code: Help enhance features or fix bugs via GitHub
- Suggest Features: Share your ideas on Discord or GitHub Discussions
- Translate: Help make Memos accessible in more languages
- Support Development: Sponsor the project or spread the word
Final Thoughts
Your notes are your intellectual property—don’t let them be held hostage by closed platforms, hidden fees, or privacy risks. Memos represents a new era of note-taking: open, private, fast, and truly yours. Whether you’re a student, developer, writer, or anyone who values their thoughts, Memos offers a compelling alternative that puts you back in control.
Ready to reclaim your notes? Explore usememos.com or dive into the code on GitHub.
