# memex.tools or self-hosted memex

> The same memex, run two ways: free on memex.tools, or on your own computer.

Page: https://docs.memex.tools/self-hosted

Use our free cloud version at [memex.tools](https://memex.tools), or install memex on your own computer and keep everything local.

|                                       | **Cloud memex**, free at [memex.tools](https://memex.tools)                        | **Self-hosted memex**                                            |
| ------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| How memex is accessed                 | `https://memex.tools/mcp`                                                         | `http://localhost:8080/mcp`                                                        |
| Memex                                 | Notes, review inbox, history, search, map, skills, import and export              | The same                                                                           |
| Assistants                            | Any assistants and agentic harnesses which can use MCP and connect over HTTPS.    | Assistants and agents on your computer or those which can access your own network. |
| Search by meaning                     | Included                                                                          | Included, as local model or via your own OpenAI API key                            |
| Descriptions and tags written for you | Included, through your connected assistants (using subscription), or your own API key | The same                                                                       |
| Sign-in                               | Google, Apple, Microsoft or GitHub                                                | Email and password                                                                 |
| **Infrastructure**                    |                                                                                   |                                                                                    |
| Where it runs                         | memex.tools's servers, on AWS                                                     | Your computer, a home server or a virtual machine                                  |
| Reached from                          | Anywhere, over HTTPS                                                              | That computer, or your network if you open it up                                   |
| What you need                         | A browser                                                                         | Docker, 1 GB of memory to spare, and a browser                        |
| Updates                               | Always the latest version                                                         | You pull the new image when you choose                                             |
| Backups                               | Nightly, by memex.tools                                                           | Daily, on your own disk; copying them elsewhere is up to you                       |
| **Costs**                             |                                                                                   |                                                                                    |
| Price                                 | Free                                                                              | Free and open source                                                               |
| Limits                                | Very generous hourly and daily limits; unlimited on your own keys                 | None                                                                               |
| What you pay for                      | Provider keys, if you add any. And you don't have to                              | Your own hardware, and provider keys if you add any                                |

## Your notes can move

Export any note, or all of them, as Markdown. Import them into local vaults, or online vaults, including at [memex.tools](https://memex.tools), whenever you want them online, and back again. See [Export notes](https://docs.memex.tools/export) and [Import notes](https://docs.memex.tools/import).

## Where the code is

Self-hosted memex is open source, at [github.com/artem-kolesnikov/memex](https://github.com/artem-kolesnikov/memex). Read the code, change it and extend it, under the AGPL-3.0.

## Next steps

- [Install self-hosted memex](https://docs.memex.tools/self-hosted-install): Run memex in Docker on your own computer, a home server or a virtual machine, and create its one account.
- [Connect assistants to self-hosted memex](https://docs.memex.tools/self-hosted-connect): Connect Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop or an agent of your own to a memex on your computer.

> **Tip:** Not sure? Start on memex.tools. An export from one imports into the other whenever you want.

## Related

- [Install self-hosted memex](https://docs.memex.tools/self-hosted-install): Run memex in Docker on your own computer, a home server or a virtual machine, and create its one account.
- [Connect assistants to self-hosted memex](https://docs.memex.tools/self-hosted-connect): Connect Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop or an agent of your own to a memex on your computer.
- [Export notes](https://docs.memex.tools/export): Download one note, a selection, or everything as Markdown files.
- [Import notes](https://docs.memex.tools/import): Bring in Markdown or text files, or a ZIP of a folder such as an Obsidian vault.