Search Memory vs Shodh Memory

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

Search Memory logoSearch MemoryKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Free web search and long-term memory for AI assistants. No API keys; data stays local.56GoodAuth: not declaredShodh Memory logoShodh MemoryKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Cognitive memory for AI agents with Hebbian learning, 3-tier architecture, and knowledge graphs. Single 15MB binary, runs offline on edge devices.69GreatAuth: no auth required

Verdict: choose Search Memory for knowledge & memory work as a local process; choose Shodh Memory 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?

Search Memory logoChoose Search Memory when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You want tools like web_search, fetch_content, research.
Explore Search Memory

Shodh Memory logoChoose Shodh Memory when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like remember, recall, recall_by_tags.
Explore Shodh Memory

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecSearch Memory logoSearch MemoryShodh Memory logoShodh Memory
CategoryKnowledge & MemoryKnowledge & Memory
Quality signal56/100 · Good69/100 · Great
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNot declaredNo auth required
PricingNot declaredFree
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars1314
Directory activity 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools1238

Tools & capabilities

Search Memory tools 12

  • web_searchSearches the web and returns ranked results. Supports `strategy` (`fallback`/`aggregate`/`auto`), `domain`, `from_date`/`to_date`, `format` (`text`/`json`), and `deep=true` for source-backed answers.
  • fetch_contentFetches a URL and returns clean Markdown with content caching, charset handling, GitHub Raw fast paths, RSS feed extraction, and Playwright fallback.
  • researchResearches a question in one call: checks the local knowledge base, searches the web, reads the top pages (`max_sources`, default 3), answers with citations from both, and adds the pages it read to the knowledge base (`index=false` to skip; sources already indexed are not added again).
  • server_statusReturns provider availability, cache stats, knowledge index stats, memory stats, entity graph stats, recent search traces, browser state, routing profile metadata, feature flags, and uptime.
  • ingest_documentChunks a document and indexes it into the local knowledge base (FTS + vectors) and entity graph. Pass `content`, or `path` to a local PDF, DOCX, EPUB, HTML or text file inside `INGEST_ALLOWED_DIRS`.
  • index_urlFetches a URL and indexes its Markdown into the local knowledge base and entity graph.
  • search_indexHybrid keyword + semantic search over the local knowledge base; returns chunks with source citations. Supports `format: "json"`.
  • list_indexLists documents stored in the local knowledge base.
  • rememberStores a short fact or note in session memory.
  • recallSearches or lists session memory notes.
  • forgetDeletes a session memory note by id.
  • find_relatedExplores the entity graph: related documents and co-occurring entities for an entity name.

Shodh Memory tools 38

  • rememberStore a memory for future recall. Use this to remember important information, decisions, user preferences, project context, or anything you want to recall later.
  • recallSearch memories AND todos using semantic similarity. Returns both relevant memories and matching todos. Use this to find past experiences, decisions, context, or pending work. Modes: 'semantic' (vector similarity), 'associative' (graph traversal), 'temporal' (time-based retrieval), 'hybrid' (combined), 'spatial' (geo-location based), 'mission' (mission context), 'action_outcome' (reward-based learning).
  • recall_by_tagsFind memories by tags. Returns memories matching ANY of the provided tags. Useful for finding memories by category (e.g., 'tool:Edit', 'file:src/main.rs', 'source:hook', 'error', 'session-summary').
  • context_summaryGet a condensed summary of recent learnings, decisions, and context. Use this at the start of a session to quickly understand what you've learned before.
  • list_memoriesList all stored memories
  • forgetDelete a specific memory by ID
  • memory_statsGet statistics about stored memories
  • verify_indexVerify vector index integrity - diagnose orphaned memories that are stored but not searchable. Returns health status and count of orphaned memories.
  • repair_indexRepair vector index by re-indexing orphaned memories. Use this when verify_index shows unhealthy status. Returns count of repaired memories.
  • backup_createCreate a backup of all memories. Returns backup metadata including ID, size, and checksum. Backups are stored locally and can be restored later.
  • backup_listList all available backups for this user. Returns backup history with IDs, timestamps, and sizes.
  • backup_verifyVerify backup integrity using SHA-256 checksum. Use to check if a backup is corrupted before restoring.
  • +26 more on 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.

Search Memory

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "search-memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "search-memory-mcp@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Shodh Memory

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "varun29ankus-shodh-memory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@shodh/memory-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

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

Search Memory has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Shodh Memory is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. 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 search-memory and varun29ankus-shodh-memory as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Search Memory has a quality signal of 56/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars. Shodh Memory has 69/100 (Great) with 5 views, 0 installs and 314 GitHub stars.