Memos: A Simple, Self-Hosted Note-Taking App You Might Really Like

Okay, so I was browsing Reddit the other day – you know how it is – and I stumbled across this project called Memos. Honestly, I’m a bit of a note-taking junkie, and I’ve been bouncing between apps for years. It’s exhausting, to be honest. Then I saw this, and it just… clicked. It’s a really neat little self-hosted note-taking app that’s surprisingly powerful, and I wanted to share it with you.

What is Memos Anyway?

Basically, Memos is a note-taking app that you can run yourself. Instead of relying on a big company to store all your notes, you host it on your own server. It’s open-source, which means it’s free to use and anyone can contribute to its development. It looks really clean and modern, and the best part is that it’s incredibly lightweight.

Why I’m Excited About It

I’ve spent a *lot* of time trying to find the “perfect” note-taking app. I want something that’s easy to use, doesn’t feel cluttered, and lets me organize my thoughts effectively. Memos seems to nail that. The fact that it’s self-hosted is a big plus too. I’ve gotten really wary of giving all my data to a third party. It just feels… safer, you know?

Here’s What Makes Memos Stand Out

• Privacy-First: You’re in control of your data. No syncing to the cloud – just your notes, stored where you choose.
• Tagging System: Forget complex hierarchies! You can use tags to categorize your notes however you want. It’s much more intuitive than trying to build a perfect folder structure.
• Full-Text Search: Seriously, this is a game-changer. I can quickly find any note I’m looking for, just by typing a few keywords.
• Media Embedding: You can easily add images, videos, and links directly into your notes. No more constantly copying and pasting!
• Lightweight & Fast: It runs smoothly, even on older computers. It’s not bogged down by unnecessary features.
• Cross-Platform Access: You can use it on your desktop or mobile browser – it’s consistent across both.
• PostgreSQL Support: They’re using PostgreSQL, which is known for being reliable and scalable. That means your notes are safe and sound.

How It Works (It’s Surprisingly Easy)

The setup is incredibly simple thanks to Railway. Railway is a platform that makes it really easy to deploy and manage applications. Basically, you click a button, and Memos is set up for you. It’s like having a personal server without all the technical headaches. I honestly thought setting up a server would be a massive pain, but it was surprisingly straightforward. It takes less than 5 minutes.

Where to Get It

You can find Memos here: https://railway.com/deploy/memos?referralCode=bmgbXt. I’ve included a referral code (bmgbXt) – it doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it does help support the project.

You can also check out the Github repository: https://github.com/usememos/memos. If you’re technically inclined, you can even contribute to the project!

My Thoughts (So Far)

I’ve been using Memos for a couple of days now, and I’m really impressed. It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for – a simple, powerful, and private note-taking app. I’m excited to see how it evolves. If you’re looking for a new note-taking app, I highly recommend giving Memos a try.