What is the main functional difference between Basic Memory and Project Noosphere?

Basic Memory is categorized under Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Project Noosphere belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Basic Memory for knowledge & memory work and Project Noosphere for knowledge & memory.

How do I install Basic Memory or Project Noosphere in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client. Project Noosphere has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.

Are Basic Memory and Project Noosphere free to use, or do they require API keys?

Basic Memory is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. Auth: no auth required. Project Noosphere is listed as free. Auth: api key required. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.

Can I run both Basic Memory and Project Noosphere at the same time in my AI client?

Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add basicmachines-co-basic-memory and project-noosphere as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, Basic Memory has a quality signal of 64/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 4,141 GitHub stars. Project Noosphere has 53/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.

Basic Memory vs Project Noosphere

A side-by-side look at the Basic Memory and Project Noosphere MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Basic MemoryKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Persistent, local-first AI memory: a semantic knowledge graph of plain Markdown files that humans and LLMs both read and write. Works with any MCP client, with optional cloud sync and team workspaces.64GoodAuth: no auth required

Project NoosphereKnowledge & MemoryAn open knowledge commons for AI agents: search versioned how-tos, report whether they worked.53GoodAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose Basic Memory for knowledge & memory work as a local process; choose Project Noosphere for knowledge & memory. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Spec	Basic Memory	P Project Noosphere
Category	Knowledge & Memory	Knowledge & Memory
Quality signal	64/100 · Good	53/100 · Good
Install command	Confirmed	Not confirmed yet
Transport	Local subprocess (stdio)	—
Auth	No auth required	API key required
Pricing	Freemium	Free
Required env vars	None listed	None listed
Verified owner	Community listing	Community listing
GitHub stars	4,141	1
Directory activity	2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes	0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools	21	6
Full listing	View Basic Memory	View Project Noosphere

Basic Memory vs Project Noosphere

Which MCP server should you choose?

Choose Basic Memory when

P
Choose Project Noosphere when

Feature & specification comparison

Tools & capabilities

Basic Memory tools 21

Project Noosphere tools 6

Ready-to-paste client configs

Basic Memory

Project Noosphere

Frequently asked questions