Compare
Memos vs Anytype
Choose Memos if you want fast capture into a timeline and a server you reach from any browser. Choose Anytype if you want a structured, encrypted, local-first workspace with types and relations.
Anytype is a local-first workspace where every note is an object with types and relations, encrypted and synced peer to peer or through a network you can self-host. Memos is a far smaller idea: short Markdown memos in a timeline on your server, with tags, relations, and sharing.
| At a glance | Memos | Anytype |
|---|---|---|
| License | Open source (MIT) | Any Source Available License |
| Hosting | Self-hosted web server | Local-first; self-hostable sync network |
| Encryption | Server can read memos; secure the server | Zero-knowledge, end to end |
| Format | Markdown memos | Typed objects in a block editor |
| Best for | Short memos captured fast | Structured personal workspace |
| Cost | No license fee (you host) | Free; paid plans for network storage |
The decision
Choose for the work in front of you.
Choose Memos when
You want to write a note in five seconds without choosing a type or template.
You want one server reachable from any browser, not an app on every device.
You want public sharing by link and a REST API.
Choose Anytype when
You want notes as typed objects with relations, sets, and views.
Encryption and local-first storage are requirements.
You want a workspace that can also hold tasks, bookmarks, and files.
Feature by feature
What each one actually does.
Memos answers honestly, including the rows where it says no.
| Feature | Memos | Anytype |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | ||
| Open source | Yes.MIT license, developed in public on GitHub | Partial.Any Source Available License; code is public source |
| Self-hosting | Yes.Docker image or a single binary on your server | Yes.Self-host the any-sync network |
| Official hosted service | No.No official hosted plan; you run the instance | Yes.Anytype network with free and paid storage |
| Where notes live | SQLite, MySQL, or PostgreSQL on your server | On your devices, encrypted; optional network backup |
| Price | No license fee; you pay for hosting | Free; paid plans for more network storage |
| Writing | ||
| Markdown | Yes.Write in Markdown with live rendering, code blocks, and math | Partial.Block editor; Markdown import and export |
| Tags | Yes.Inline #tags, nested with a slash | Partial.Tag relations on objects |
| Links between notes | Yes.Relations link memos to each other | Yes.Links, backlinks, graph view |
| Attachments | Yes.Images and files, stored on disk or in S3 | Yes.Files as objects |
| Full-text search | Yes.Full-text search with tag, date, and visibility filters | Yes.Full-text search across the space |
| Reach | ||
| Works offline | No.Browser app; reading and writing need a reachable server | Yes.Local-first source |
| Desktop app | Partial.Install the web app as a PWA; no official native app | Yes.Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Mobile app | Partial.PWA on iOS and Android, plus community-built apps | Yes.iOS and Android |
| Cross-device sync | Yes.The server is the source of truth, so every device sees the same memos | Yes.Peer-to-peer and network sync |
| Public sharing | Yes.Per-memo visibility: private, workspace, or public link | Partial.Invite links to spaces; web publishing for selected objects |
| Data | ||
| API and webhooks | Yes.REST and gRPC APIs, signed webhooks | Partial.Local API in development |
| Import and export | Partial.ZIP export of Markdown and JSON; import from Memos exports only | Yes.Imports Notion and Markdown; exports Markdown and JSON |
| End-to-end encryption | No.The server you run can read your memos; protect it with TLS and disk encryption | Yes.Zero-knowledge encryption source |
Questions
Questions people ask.
Is Memos simpler than Anytype?
Much. Memos has memos, tags, relations, and a timeline. Anytype has objects, types, relations, sets, and spaces. Pick the one that matches how much structure you want.
Is Memos encrypted like Anytype?
No. Memos stores memos readably on the server you run. Anytype encrypts everything on the device before it syncs.
Can I import Anytype into Memos?
Export from Anytype as Markdown, then create memos through the Memos API. There is no direct importer.
Keep exploring
Related comparisons and features.
More comparisons
Memos in detail
Start here
Start with one memo.
Install Memos on a server you choose and write your first memo. Open source under MIT, with no license fee.