Why you might move or be looking away from Mem?
Mem had a super start in the AI note-taking market, bursting onto the scene as one of the hot new apps. People loved the AI chat features and that first-to-market energy. But honestly? The landscape has changed. Hundreds of tools have popped up since then, all trying to help you solve note-taking together with AI.
The market is brutal now, way more competitive than it was even 18 months ago. That means more options and tools that can match (or beat) what Mem offered. Thing is, many users have been stuck waiting for updates that never came.
Here's why people are actively hunting for Mem replacements: First, the development pace. Mem hasn't shipped many features or meaningful updates in the last couple years, which is kind of a red flag in this fast-moving space. Second, AI customization is limited. You're locked into their AI provider, and for folks who want to use Claude or swap between models, that's frustrating. Third, core note-taking abilities feel thin. Mem was built around AI chat, but compared to tools like Tana or Capacities, the actual note organization and linking features feel pretty basic.
Let's dig into the better Mem alternatives on the market right now. The goal here is finding something similar that fixes these gaps while keeping what made Mem attractive in the first place.
How We Selected These Alternatives
We didn't just throw together a random list of note apps and call it a day. Each tool here was tested for at least two weeks of daily use, focusing on the features Mem users care about: AI integration, note capture speed, cross-linking abilities, and mobile experience.
Here's what mattered in our selection: AI chat capabilities that actually work with your notes as context (not just a generic chatbot bolted on), fast note capture because if it's slow to jot things down, you won't use it, bi-directional linking or similar organizational features to connect your thinking, cross-platform support since you're probably switching between devices, and active development because nobody wants to jump from one stagnant app to another.
We also looked hard at pricing. Mem was $8.33/month on the annual plan. Some alternatives are cheaper, some more expensive. We'll break down whether the price difference is worth it for what you get.
One more thing: we focused on tools that share Mem's philosophy of AI-native note-taking. You won't find Notion or Obsidian here, those are different beasts solving different problems. These are purpose-built for thinking with AI, not just storing information.
1. Kortex
Best for Second Brain: Kortex
Looking for something like Mem but with way more AI flexibility? Kortex has been gaining serious traction with second brain enthusiasts. Compared to Mem, they're cut from the same cloth: both let you chat with an AI model using your past notes as context.
But here's where Kortex pulls ahead. You can actually choose your AI model. Want to use Gemini? Go for it. Prefer Llama for local processing? That works too. This is huge if you were frustrated by Mem locking you into their AI provider with no way to switch.
Kortex lets you build connected notes using bi-directional links, the bread and butter of building your own personal knowledge garden. It feels more focused on deep thinking and idea development than Mem ever was. Where Mem felt like a chat interface with some notes attached, Kortex feels like a proper note-taking system with powerful AI bolted on.
The standout feature is Components. Think of them as templates you can reuse across your notes. Writing a book review? Create a component with fields for author, key takeaways, and quotes. Meeting notes? Build a component with attendees, action items, and decisions. This structure helps you develop actual systems around your thinking, not just dump everything into an unorganized pile.
Downside? No mobile apps yet (iOS and Android are MIA). If you're someone who captures thoughts on your phone constantly, that's a dealbreaker. But if you do most of your thinking at a desk, Kortex is stupidly good.
What sets it apart: Easy to pick up and start using, no steep learning curve. Components system for building repeatable templates and workflows. Choose from multiple AI models (Gemini, Llama, and more). Clean dark mode that's actually pleasant to stare at for hours. Desktop-only at the moment, mobile coming eventually. Still relatively new, but actively shipping features.
Best for: Content creators using AI in their writing workflow. People who've bought into the Second Brain methodology. Anyone frustrated by Mem's lack of structural organization.
Dan Koe (one of the Kortex team) regularly shares his setup and how he uses it to crank out content with AI. If you're desktop-focused and creating stuff, this is a solid pick.
2. Evernote
Best for Cross Platform: Evernote
Yeah, Evernote. The OG note-taking app that everyone used before Notion existed. You might be thinking it's outdated, but hold up. Evernote has been aggressively adding AI features and honestly, it's becoming a solid Mem alternative if you want something more stable and established.
Evernote now does tasks, calendar integration, and a growing suite of AI tools. They're positioning themselves as the reliable foundation for AI-powered note-taking. You get AI grammar cleanup, AI transcription for voice notes, and they're actively testing AI chat features (though not fully rolled out as of 2026).
What's nice here is you're betting on a company that's clearly committed to development. They shipped a ton of updates in the past year, which is the opposite of Mem's radio silence. The $10.99/month price tag is higher than Mem was, but you're getting a much more complete package: note-taking, calendar, tasks, all in one place.
The cross-platform story is unbeatable. iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows, web, you name it. If you were frustrated by having to pick and choose which devices you could use with other tools, Evernote just works everywhere. They've been doing this for 15+ years, so the sync is rock solid.
Downsides? The free plan is pretty limited (50 notes and 1 notebook, which fills up fast). And while the AI features are coming along, they're not as deeply integrated as Mem's chat was. You're not going to have those "aha" moments where the AI surfaces connections between your notes automatically. It's more like AI assistants for specific tasks rather than AI woven into the fabric of the app.
What it offers: Traditional note-taking that just works, no learning curve. Calendar integration pulls in events from Google Calendar and others. AI transcription and grammar tools for cleaning up your writing. Tasks built right in, so you can turn notes into to-dos. Cross-platform on literally everything (iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, web). The company is actively shipping updates, not sitting still.
Limitations: Free plan caps you at 50 notes and 1 notebook (basically a trial). AI chat isn't fully baked yet, still in development. Feels more like a traditional notes app with AI sprinkled on top, not AI-native like Mem was.
Best for: People who need rock-solid cross-platform sync. Anyone managing tasks and calendar alongside notes. Those who want a stable, established company backing their tool. Users comfortable with a more traditional note-taking structure.
3. Tana
Best for AI Workspaces: Tana
Tana is the AI note-taking app that productivity nerds won't shut up about. Millions are checking it out, and for good reason. It lets you capture notes lightning-fast, turn them into AI summaries, use voice capture, and even works as an AI meeting assistant that automatically grabs the important stuff from your calls.
Tana's journey has been wild. It started as this super niche tool for power users and has evolved into something that bridges the gap between hardcore PKM (personal knowledge management) systems and approachable note apps. That balance is tough to nail, but Tana's getting there.
Compared to Mem, Tana feels similar but more focused on the capture workflow. You know that thing where you're in a meeting and ideas are flying and you just need to get everything down? Tana excels at that. The structure and visual organization runs deeper than Mem ever did. Notes connect in more meaningful ways, and the AI feels baked into the workflow rather than tacked on.
The AI meeting features blow away what Mem offered. Tana can join your calls, transcribe everything, and automatically organize action items and decisions. Check out alternatives like Granola if that specific feature matters to you, but Tana does it well enough for most people.
Downside? There's definitely a learning curve. Tana doesn't hold your hand. You'll spend your first week going "wait, how do I..." more than once. And weirdly, it lacks the conversational AI chat that Mem was known for. You can't just ask it questions about your notes like you could in Mem. That might be a dealbreaker if that was your favorite feature.
What makes it stand out: Blazing fast, feels snappy even with thousands of notes. AI workflows for voice capture and meeting transcription that actually save time. Designed specifically for people who take notes seriously, not casual journaling. Auto-tagging like Mem, helps organize without manual filing. Growing company actively shipping features and listening to users.
The rough edges: Learning curve is real, expect a couple weeks to feel comfortable. No conversational AI chat for asking questions about your knowledge base. Interface can feel overwhelming at first with all the options.
Best for: People who live in meetings and need better capture tools. Anyone upgrading from apps like Evernote, Capacities, or Mem. Power users who want workflows, not just a simple notes list. Those willing to invest time learning in exchange for a more powerful system.
4. Capacities
Best for AI Chats: Capacities
Want to actually chat with your notes? Capacities nails the AI chat feature that made Mem popular. It's newer on the scene but the AI chat implementation is rock solid. Unlike Mem, though, Capacities uses an object-based structure. Think templates for different types of notes.
Here's what that means in practice. Say you're taking notes about a person. Capacities gives you a People template with fields for contact info, relationship, last interaction, whatever you want. Meeting notes get a Meeting template with date, attendees, and decisions. Book notes get author, key quotes, rating. Each note type has its own structure instead of everything being a freeform blob.
If you felt Mem was too unstructured and your notes turned into a chaotic mess, Capacities fixes that. The organization happens automatically based on what type of note you're creating. No more manually tagging and hoping you remember where you put that brilliant idea from three months ago.
The AI chat works like Mem's did. You can chat with individual notes or across your entire knowledge base, and it uses your past notes as context. The cool part is you can save these AI chats for later reference. Had a great conversation with your AI about a project? Save it, come back to it, continue the thread.
But here's where it gets technical. Capacities gives you a usage bar for AI features on the premium plan. When you hit the limit, you're stuck unless you plug in your own OpenAI API key. For folks comfortable with APIs, no big deal. For normal humans who just want their notes to work? That's annoying and honestly kind of confusing.
What it does well: Clean note capture with smart organization baked in. AI chat that rivals what Mem offered, with saved conversations. Contextual AI that actually understands your knowledge base. Object-based structure keeps everything organized without manual work. Beautiful interface that doesn't feel cluttered.
The friction points: Learning curve exists, object-based thinking takes getting used to. AI usage is metered, you'll hit limits on the standard plan. API key setup is confusing for non-technical users. Better suited for people who've used note apps before, not total beginners.
Best for: Advanced note-takers who want structure without rigid hierarchies. Anyone comfortable (or willing to learn) how to use an OpenAI API key. People who loved Mem's AI chat but wanted better organization. Users who take notes about defined types of things (people, projects, books, etc.).
Which Tool to Choose?
What is the best Mem alternative overall?
Okay, bottom line time. You need to pick one and move on with your life. Here's how we'd break it down based on what you actually need.
If you want the closest thing to Mem's AI chat: Capacities wins. The AI chat implementation is the most similar to what Mem offered. You can chat with your notes, get contextual responses based on your knowledge base, and save conversations for later. The object-based organization actually makes it better than Mem in some ways, though you do have to wrap your head around templates.
If you need mobile apps that actually work: Go with Tana or Evernote. Both have solid iPhone and Android apps. Tana's voice capture is clutch if you're the type who has ideas while walking the dog or commuting. Evernote is more traditional but the sync is bulletproof across every device you own.
If you're a content creator working on desktop: Kortex is the move. The Components system is perfect for building repeatable workflows, and being able to choose your AI model (Gemini, Llama, whatever) gives you flexibility Mem never had. Just know you're stuck on desktop until they ship mobile apps.
If you want something that just works without a learning curve: Honestly, Evernote. Yeah, it's not as flashy as the newer AI-native tools, but it's stable, cross-platform, and actively being developed. The AI features are coming along, and you won't spend two weeks figuring out how the app works.
If you miss Mem's automatic organization: Tana captures that vibe the best. The auto-tagging and workflow-based organization scratches the same itch Mem did. You dump your thoughts in, and the app helps you make sense of them without manual filing.
The wild card: If you're technical and comfortable with APIs, Capacities or Kortex give you the most power. You can plug in your own AI models, customize the hell out of everything, and really make the tool yours. If you just want to take notes and not become a productivity system engineer, stick with Evernote or Tana.
Real talk: There's no perfect Mem replacement because Mem was unique in how it balanced simplicity with AI power. These alternatives either go deeper (Tana, Capacities) or broader (Evernote) or more customizable (Kortex). Pick based on which compromise matters least to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
We get asked about Mem alternatives constantly. Here are the most common questions:
Is there a free Mem alternative? Evernote and Tana both have free tiers, though they're limited. Evernote caps you at 50 notes and 1 notebook on the free plan, which fills up fast. Tana's free plan is more generous but you'll hit AI usage limits. Capacities has a free plan too, but the AI features are pretty restricted. Honestly, if you were paying for Mem, expect to pay for these too if you want the full experience.
Can I import my Mem notes into these tools? Export options vary. Most of these tools can import markdown files, so if you can get your Mem notes out as markdown, you should be okay. Capacities and Tana both handle markdown imports decently. Evernote can be finicky with imports. Just know you'll lose some formatting and probably need to reorganize things manually.
Which Mem alternative has the best AI chat? Capacities and Kortex are the strongest here. Capacities feels most similar to Mem's implementation, where you can chat with individual notes or your whole knowledge base. Kortex gives you more control over which AI model you use. Tana weirdly doesn't have conversational AI chat, which might surprise you.
Do any of these work offline like Mem did? Sort of. Most of these are cloud-first, meaning you need internet for the AI features to work. Evernote has the best offline support for reading and editing notes, but you won't get AI functionality without a connection. The trade-off for better AI is usually worse offline performance.
What's the learning curve compared to Mem? Mem was pretty simple, so anything feels more complex. Evernote is probably easiest to pick up, it's just a traditional notes app. Capacities and Kortex have moderate learning curves (maybe a week to feel comfortable). Tana has the steepest curve, expect two weeks minimum before it clicks. Choose based on how much time you want to invest in learning.
Which works best on iPhone? Tana and Evernote both have solid iOS apps. Capacities' mobile app exists but feels like an afterthought compared to the desktop version. Kortex doesn't have mobile apps at all yet. If you're an iPhone-first user, Tana or Evernote are your best bets.
