Memos
Scrintal
| Feature | Memos | Scrintal |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $0/mo | Free / from $12/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best For | self-hosters, quick-note-takers, journaling, privacy-focused-users | researchers, visual-thinkers, writers, students |
| Founded | 2022 | 2021 |
| Markdown | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tags | ✓ | ✗ |
| Search | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api | ✓ | ✗ |
| Docker Deployment | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embed Resources | ✓ | ✗ |
| Timeline View | ✓ | ✗ |
| Infinite Canvas | ✗ | ✓ |
| Note Cards | ✗ | ✓ |
| Connections | ✗ | ✓ |
| Bi Directional Links | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mind Maps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Collaboration | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Memos Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Lightweight and fast (single binary deployment)
- Twitter-like quick note interface
- Full data ownership with self-hosting
✗ Memos Cons
- No real-time collaboration features
- Limited organizational tools (no folders/hierarchy)
- Self-hosting required (no managed cloud option)
✓ Scrintal Pros
- Visual note connections
- Infinite canvas
- Combines notes and mindmaps
- Good for visual thinkers
✗ Scrintal Cons
- Newer platform still maturing
- Limited integrations
- No mobile app yet
The Verdict
Memos is built for self hosters and quick note takers, with a focus on markdown and tags. Scrintal targets researchers and visual thinkers and leads with infinite-canvas and note-cards.
On pricing, Memos is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $0/mo compared to $12/mo for Scrintal. That $12/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, Memos offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Scrintal takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.