What is the MCP memory server?

It is the Knowledge Graph Memory Server from the official Model Context Protocol servers repository, published on npm as @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory. It stores entities, relations and observations in a local JSONL file.

Where does it save the memory file?

In memory.jsonl in the server's own folder unless you set MEMORY_FILE_PATH. Its README asks you to set an absolute path you own, because an npm reinstall or a cleared npx cache can delete the default file.

Do I need Node.js or Python?

The MCP memory server runs with npx on Node.js 24 or later, or in Docker. FlowState needs Python 3.11 or newer.

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

Compare

FlowState vs the official MCP memory server

The Knowledge Graph Memory Server is the memory server in the official Model Context Protocol servers repository, and often the first one people try. FlowState is a project memory server shared by many AI apps. Here is each one side by side, from what each project publishes.

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

What each one is

MCP Memory ServerThe Knowledge Graph Memory Server is, in its own words, "a basic implementation of persistent memory using a local knowledge graph" that lets Claude remember information about the user across chats. It stores entities, the relations between them, and observations about each one. It is published on npm as @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory and also runs from a Docker image. 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	MCP Memory Server
License	MIT. Source	Their README says MIT. The repository LICENSE file says the project is moving from MIT to Apache-2.0: new contributions are Apache-2.0, and earlier ones stay MIT until their authors agree to relicense. 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. Each MCP app starts its own server process, through npx or Docker. Source
Storage	One SQLite file on your computer. Source	One JSONL file. Set MEMORY_FILE_PATH to a path you own: the default sits in the server's own folder, which an npm reinstall or a cleared npx cache can delete. Several apps can share one file; their writes take turns through a lock file. 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, started with npx (Node.js 24 or later) or the mcp/memory Docker image. Setup is shown for Claude Desktop and VS Code. 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	A knowledge graph: entities with a name and a type, directed relations between them, and observations (one fact each) attached to entities. The whole graph is also readable as an MCP resource. 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 in their docs. Its tools create and delete entities, relations and observations directly, and your system prompt steers what gets saved and how often. 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	No pricing stated in their docs. It is open source and published on npm. Source

What MCP Memory Server does that FlowState does not

It runs on Node.js or Docker, with no Python needed. FlowState needs Python 3.11 or newer.
It is a general knowledge graph: you define the entities and relations, not tied to projects.
It has one-click install buttons for VS Code, and apps can subscribe to the graph to see changes live.

Who each one fits

MCP Memory Server fits if

You want a small memory of facts about you or your work, in one file.
You prefer Node.js or Docker, or want the reference server from the MCP project itself.
You want to model your own entities and relations.

FlowState fits if

You want memory kept per project, with to-dos, decisions and handoffs that several apps and agents share.
You want a record of which app made each change, and a review queue for summaries and suggestions.
You want claude.ai and ChatGPT to reach it too, through your own tunnel or the optional Relay.

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

What is the MCP memory server?It is the Knowledge Graph Memory Server from the official Model Context Protocol servers repository, published on npm as @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory. It stores entities, relations and observations in a local JSONL file.
Where does it save the memory file?In memory.jsonl in the server's own folder unless you set MEMORY_FILE_PATH. Its README asks you to set an absolute path you own, because an npm reinstall or a cleared npx cache can delete the default file.
Do I need Node.js or Python?The MCP memory server runs with npx on Node.js 24 or later, or in Docker. FlowState needs Python 3.11 or newer.
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.