Synap Memory vs Engram

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

Synap Memory logoSynap MemoryKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Persistent memory for AI agents — log and recall conversation context over MCP.44FairAuth: not declaredEngram logoEngramKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Persistent memory for AI agents — verbatim conversations, searchable by meaning.57GoodAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose Synap Memory for knowledge & memory work as a local process; choose Engram 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?

Synap Memory logoChoose Synap Memory when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
Explore Synap Memory

Engram logoChoose Engram when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You want tools like create_conversation, append_messages, search.
Explore Engram

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecSynap Memory logoSynap MemoryEngram logoEngram
CategoryKnowledge & MemoryKnowledge & Memory
Quality signal44/100 · Fair57/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNot declaredNot declared
PricingNot declaredNot declared
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars7719
Directory activity 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
ToolsNot listed6

Tools & capabilities

Synap Memory tools

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

Engram tools 6

  • create_conversationStart a new conversation with optional title, tags, metadata
  • append_messagesAdd messages to an existing conversation
  • searchSemantic search across all conversations
  • get_conversationRetrieve a conversation with its messages
  • list_conversationsList conversations with filtering and pagination
  • delete_conversationRemove a conversation and its data

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.

Synap Memory

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "synap-memory": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "maximem-synap"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Engram

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "engram-2": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@getengram/cli"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

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

Synap Memory has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Engram has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. 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 synap-memory and engram-2 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Synap Memory has a quality signal of 44/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 77 GitHub stars. Engram has 57/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 19 GitHub stars.