Celiums Memory vs Penfield MCP

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

Celiums Memory logoCeliums MemoryKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Cognitive memory engine with 5,100+ knowledge modules, circadian rhythm awareness, and emotional state tracking (PAD model). Hybrid search (PostgreSQL + Qdrant vectors + Valkey cache), per-user memory isolation, and multi-protocol support (MCP, REST, OpenAI, LangChain, A2A). npx @celiums/memory Website56GoodAuth: api key requiredPenfield MCP logoPenfield MCPKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Penfield: persistent memory with hybrid search (BM25 + vector + graph), 24 relationship types for knowledge graphs, context checkpoints for cognitive handoff, artifact storage, and personality system. Works across Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and any MCP client.49FairAuth: oauth 2.0

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

Which MCP server should you choose?

Celiums Memory logoChoose Celiums Memory when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You have the keys it needs: SQLITE_PATH, DATABASE_URL, QDRANT_URL, VALKEY_URL, CELIUMS_API_KEY, PORT, CELIUMS_LLM_API_KEY, CELIUMS_LLM_BASE_URL.
Explore Celiums Memory

Penfield MCP logoChoose Penfield MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: OAuth 2.0.
Explore Penfield MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecCeliums Memory logoCeliums MemoryPenfield MCP logoPenfield MCP
CategoryKnowledge & MemoryKnowledge & Memory
Quality signal56/100 · Good49/100 · Fair
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthAPI key requiredOAuth 2.0
PricingFreeFree
Required env varsSQLITE_PATHDATABASE_URLQDRANT_URLVALKEY_URLCELIUMS_API_KEYPORTCELIUMS_LLM_API_KEYCELIUMS_LLM_BASE_URLNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars236
Directory activity 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
ToolsNot listedNot listed

Tools & capabilities

Celiums Memory tools

No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.

Penfield MCP tools

No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.

Ready-to-paste client configs

Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.

Celiums Memory

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "celiums-celiums-memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@celiums/memory"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SQLITE_PATH": "YOUR_SQLITE_PATH_HERE",
        "DATABASE_URL": "YOUR_DATABASE_URL_HERE",
        "QDRANT_URL": "YOUR_QDRANT_URL_HERE",
        "VALKEY_URL": "YOUR_VALKEY_URL_HERE",
        "CELIUMS_API_KEY": "YOUR_CELIUMS_API_KEY_HERE",
        "PORT": "YOUR_PORT_HERE",
        "CELIUMS_LLM_API_KEY": "YOUR_CELIUMS_LLM_API_KEY_HERE",
        "CELIUMS_LLM_BASE_URL": "YOUR_CELIUMS_LLM_BASE_URL_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Penfield MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "penfieldlabs-penfield-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Celiums Memory is categorized under Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Penfield MCP belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Celiums Memory for knowledge & memory work and Penfield MCP for knowledge & memory.

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.

Celiums Memory is listed as free. Auth: api key required. Penfield MCP is listed as free. Auth: oauth 2.0. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.

Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add celiums-celiums-memory and penfieldlabs-penfield-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Celiums Memory has a quality signal of 56/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 23 GitHub stars. Penfield MCP has 49/100 (Fair) with 4 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars.