Knowledge base that works with a SQLite db file.
- MIT
- Go
- Docker
- Actively maintained
Note-taking & Editors comparison
Memos vs Joplin: which should you self-host in 2026?
Pick Memos if you want a lightweight, self-hosted timeline for quick notes; pick Joplin if you want full notebooks with native apps and offline, encrypted sync.
Both are open source and run on your own server. Below: a side-by-side of license, stack and features, live GitHub activity, and our verdict on who should pick which.
Note taking application with markdown editor and encryption support for mobile and desktop platforms. Runs client-side and syncs through a self hosted Nextcloud instance or similar (alternative to….
- AGPL-3.0
- TypeScript
- Actively maintained
Head-to-head
Memos vs Joplin, side by side
Hand-checked differences first, then live numbers from GitHub, refreshed with every catalog update.
| Aspect |  Memos |  Joplin |
|---|---|---|
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0-or-later for the apps; Joplin Server uses its own Personal Use License |
| Architecture | Self-hosted web app: a Go server with a React frontend | Local-first desktop, mobile and terminal apps that sync through a server or cloud drive |
| Database | SQLite by default, with MySQL and PostgreSQL support | Local SQLite on each device; sync target stores the data |
| Mobile apps | No official native app; responsive web UI you can add to your home screen | Official Android and iOS apps |
| Standout features | Timeline of Markdown memos, tags, public sharing, API and web clipper | End-to-end encryption, plugins, web clipper, attachments and to-dos |
| GitHub stars | 63,545 | 56,611 |
| Commits, last 12 months | 928 | 2,019 |
| Last commit | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
| Latest release | v0.31.0Sep 19, 2026 | v3.7.21Sep 25, 2026 |
| Main language | Go | TypeScript |
| Official Docker image | Yes | No |
| Repository | usememos/memos | laurent22/joplin |
Swipe the table sideways to see both apps. GitHub figures come from the public API. Highlighted values are the higher of the two.
Verdict
Memos is a fast, single-binary web app for capturing short notes and thoughts in a feed, ideal if you want something you can deploy in minutes and open from any browser. Joplin is a complete note-taking app with notebooks, offline native apps and end-to-end encryption, better for long-form notes and serious archives.
Best for
Choose Memos for
Quick capture of short notes in a self-hosted, Twitter-like timeline.
Best for
Choose Joplin for
Long-form notes in notebooks with offline native apps on every platform.
Deploy either in minutes
Not sure yet? Spin up a small VPS or a managed instance, try both for a week, and keep the one that fits.
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Is Memos a replacement for Joplin?
Only for quick, short notes. Memos is built around a feed of memos, while Joplin organizes longer notes in notebooks and works offline.
Which is easier to self-host?
Memos. It is one container with SQLite by default. Joplin needs no server at all unless you want to sync, and then you can use Joplin Server, WebDAV or a cloud drive.
Can I use both together?
Yes. Many people use Memos for fleeting notes and Joplin for long-form notes. Both store Markdown, so moving content between them is straightforward.
Which is more popular on GitHub, Memos or Joplin?
Memos has 63,545 GitHub stars against 56,611 for Joplin. Over the last twelve months Memos received 928 commits and Joplin received 2,019, so Joplin is the more actively developed of the two right now. Stars measure interest, not fit, so weigh them against the differences above.
