Is Basic Memory free?

Basic Memory is free to run on your own computer under AGPL-3.0. Basic Memory Cloud is a paid hosted version; its pricing page lists plans from $19 a month per workspace.

How does each one store memory?

Basic Memory keeps Markdown files on your disk with a SQLite index. FlowState keeps its records in one SQLite file on your computer.

Which license does each use?

Basic Memory is AGPL-3.0. FlowState is MIT.

Yes. MCP apps can connect to more than one server. Give each a clear job, for example personal preferences in one and project decisions in the other, so the AI knows where to write.

Yes. FlowState is free and open source (MIT) on your computer. Relay and Hosted are optional paid plans for reaching it from apps that need a URL, like claude.ai and ChatGPT.

FlowState

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FlowState vs Basic Memory

Basic Memory and FlowState both run on your own computer and give AI apps a memory over MCP that lasts between chats. They keep different things in different ways. Here is each one side by side, from what each project publishes.

Last checked Nov 5, 2026. Facts about Basic Memory come from its own docs, README and pricing page, linked below.

What each one is

Basic MemoryBasic Memory keeps your knowledge as Markdown files that both you and your AI read, write and search. Observations and wikilinks in the notes form a knowledge graph, and a local SQLite index powers search, including search by meaning. It works with Claude, Codex, Cursor, ChatGPT and other MCP apps, and Obsidian can open the same files. Basic Memory Cloud is an optional hosted version with sync across devices. Source
FlowStateFlowState is a local MCP server that gives every AI app you use the same memory of your projects: to-dos, changes, decisions, problems and lessons learned. An AI reads a short brief when it starts on a project and writes down what happens as it goes. Everything lives in one SQLite file on your computer. Source

Side by side

Fact	FlowState	Basic Memory
License	MIT. Source	AGPL-3.0. Source 1 Source 2
Local or cloud	Runs on your computer. Optional paid Relay lets web and phone apps reach it while your data stays on your computer. Optional Hosted keeps your memory on our server instead. Source	Local install, free, with all data on your disk. Optional Basic Memory Cloud hosts it for you, with sync across devices, web and mobile. Source
Storage	One SQLite file on your computer. Source	Markdown files on your disk (in ~/basic-memory by default) plus a local SQLite index. Postgres is also supported. Cloud is built on Neon Postgres and Tigris S3. Source
How it connects	MCP. stdio for apps on the same computer; streamable HTTP with a bearer token or a key per app for other machines; remote access for claude.ai and ChatGPT through your own Cloudflare Tunnel or the optional Relay. Needs Python 3.11 or newer. Source 1 Source 2	MCP over stdio or https. Setup is documented for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code and ChatGPT. There is also a command line tool and a Claude Code plugin. Source
What it stores	Project memory: to-dos, changes, decisions, problems and lessons learned, plus handoff notes and hard rules. Every change keeps which app made it. Source 1 Source 2	Markdown notes written by you or the AI, with observations and wikilinks that link notes into a graph, grouped in projects. Source
Review of AI writes	Automatic session summaries and anything an AI marks as a suggestion wait in a review queue until you approve, edit or reject them. Other writes are saved at once by default. With approvals turned on (off by default), an AI's deletes wait for you too. Source	Not stated as a review queue. Notes are plain files you can read and edit yourself. Every tool carries MCP hints such as read-only or destructive, and their README notes that Codex asks for approval before Basic Memory's writes, edits and deletes. Source
Pricing, as published	Free on your computer. Relay is $6 a month and Hosted $12 a month, both optional, with beta prices on the pricing page. Source	Local: free (AGPL-3.0). Cloud: $19 a month per workspace with a 7-day trial; Pro $99 and Business $249 a month per workspace. Each plan includes credits, and usage past them is billed. Their GitHub README also shows a $15 a month beta price for Cloud. Source 1 Source 2

What Basic Memory does that FlowState does not

Your memory is Markdown you can open and edit in any editor or in Obsidian. FlowState can export a project as Markdown, and edits come back through its review queue.
Search by meaning is built in. In FlowState it needs a model you install yourself.
Basic Memory Cloud syncs across devices and phones, with shared team workspaces.

Who each one fits

Basic Memory fits if

You want notes you can read, edit and keep in your own editor or Obsidian.
You want a personal knowledge base that grows from your chats.
You want a hosted option with sync across devices or a shared team workspace.

FlowState fits if

You want structured project records (to-dos, decisions, problems, handoffs) and a short brief at the start of each session.
You want each change marked with the app that made it, and summaries and suggestions held for your OK.
You prefer the MIT license.

Try FlowState

Setup guideInstall FlowState and connect your AI apps, step by step. Or paste this into Claude Code or Cursor: Set up FlowState for me from https://github.com/dialectforge/FlowState by following its AGENTS.md.
MCP config builderBuild or check the MCP config for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor or VS Code in your browser.
PricingLocal FlowState is free. Relay and Hosted are optional.
GuidesClaude Code memory between sessions and one memory for all your AI apps.

Questions

Is Basic Memory free?Basic Memory is free to run on your own computer under AGPL-3.0. Basic Memory Cloud is a paid hosted version; its pricing page lists plans from $19 a month per workspace.
How does each one store memory?Basic Memory keeps Markdown files on your disk with a SQLite index. FlowState keeps its records in one SQLite file on your computer.
Which license does each use?Basic Memory is AGPL-3.0. FlowState is MIT.
Can I use both?Yes. MCP apps can connect to more than one server. Give each a clear job, for example personal preferences in one and project decisions in the other, so the AI knows where to write.
Is FlowState free?Yes. FlowState is free and open source (MIT) on your computer. Relay and Hosted are optional paid plans for reaching it from apps that need a URL, like claude.ai and ChatGPT.

Sources

Last checked Nov 5, 2026. Products change, so check their pages for the latest.