Comparison
obsidian-mcp-server vs cortex-memory
Verdict
Pick obsidian-mcp-server if the obsidian-mcp-server is a specialized utility for interacting with Obsidian vaults using the Model Context Protocol over STDIO or Streamable HTTP; pick cortex-memory if cortex-memory is a zero-config VSCode extension, CLI, and MCP server that provides persistent AI memory for coding sessions, auto-capturing decisions and context for tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and Cline.
Markdown twin · obsidian-mcp-server alternatives · cortex-memory alternatives
GraphCanon updated Sep 20, 2026
12views this month
vs
Trust & integrity
| Signal | obsidian-mcp-server | cortex-memory |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | Very active (0d since push) As of Sep 20, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Slowing (176d since push) As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| Provenance | Not a fork · Personal account As of Sep 20, 2026 · github_public_v1 | Not a fork · Personal account As of Sep 18, 2026 · github_public_v1 |
| OSV dependency advisories | No lockfile (source not queried) As of Jul 26, 2026 · osv@v1 | Published findings As of Sep 18, 2026 · osv@v1 |
| deps.dev advisories | Not queried deps.dev@v1 | Not queried deps.dev@v1 |
| OpenSSF Scorecard | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 | Not queried openssf-scorecard@v1 |
Tagline
- obsidian-mcp-server
- A tool for manipulating and interacting with Obsidian vaults through Model Context Protocol.
- cortex-memory
- Persistent AI memory for coding sessions, auto-capturing decisions and context.
Stars
- obsidian-mcp-server
- 682
- cortex-memory
- 8
Forks
- obsidian-mcp-server
- 103
- cortex-memory
- 2
Open issues
- obsidian-mcp-server
- 27
- cortex-memory
- 0
Language
- obsidian-mcp-server
- TypeScript
- cortex-memory
- TypeScript
Adopt for
- obsidian-mcp-server
- The obsidian-mcp-server is a specialized utility for interacting with Obsidian vaults using the Model Context Protocol over STDIO or Streamable HTTP.
- cortex-memory
- cortex-memory is a zero-config VSCode extension, CLI, and MCP server that provides persistent AI memory for coding sessions, auto-capturing decisions and context for tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and Cline.
Persona
- obsidian-mcp-server
- -
- cortex-memory
- -
Runtime
- obsidian-mcp-server
- -
- cortex-memory
- -
License
- obsidian-mcp-server
- The Apache-2.0 license applies to obsidian-mcp-server, allowing free use, modification, and distribution under certain conditions.
- cortex-memory
- MIT License
Last pushed
- obsidian-mcp-server
- Sep 19, 2026
- cortex-memory
- Mar 25, 2026
Categories
- obsidian-mcp-server
- Data & Retrieval, Developer Tools
- cortex-memory
- Data & Retrieval, Developer Tools
Trust and health
Maintenance
- obsidian-mcp-server
- Very active (96%)
- cortex-memory
- Slowing (36%)
Days since push
- obsidian-mcp-server
- 0d
- cortex-memory
- 176d
Open issues (now)
- obsidian-mcp-server
- 27
- cortex-memory
- 0
Stars delta
- obsidian-mcp-server
- +40 (30d)
- cortex-memory
- +1 (30d)
Open issues delta
- obsidian-mcp-server
- +2 (30d)
- cortex-memory
- 0 (30d)
OSV dependency advisories
- obsidian-mcp-server
- No lockfile (source not queried)
- cortex-memory
- Published findings
Full report
- obsidian-mcp-server
- Trust report
- cortex-memory
- Trust report
Choose obsidian-mcp-server if…
- License: obsidian-mcp-server is Apache-2.0, cortex-memory is MIT.
- Pricing: Freely accessible and distributable with commercial usage allowed..
- Requirements: The software requires a running Obsidian vault, basic knowledge of TypeScript, and an understanding of Model Context Protocol for effective use..
- Tags unique to obsidian-mcp-server: ai-tools, cyanheads, knowledge-base, mcp.
- obsidian-mcp-server ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment.
- When requiring precise manipulation of content, tags, and metadata within an Obsidian knowledge base through automated scripts or third-party applications that support the Model Context Protocol.
When NOT to use obsidian-mcp-server
- When working with non-Obsidian knowledge bases as this tool is specifically designed for manipulating content within an Obsidian vault framework.
- If your project does not require the Model Context Protocol for communication, as this introduces a specific layer of protocol handling that may be unnecessary overhead.
Choose cortex-memory if…
- License: cortex-memory is MIT, obsidian-mcp-server is Apache-2.0.
- Pricing: The tool is open-source under the MIT License, making it free to use, but additional features or services may come at a cost..
- Requirements: Min 2 GB RAM; Requires a compatible AI coding assistant like Claude Code, Cursor, or Cline.; Works best with VSCode, but also supports CLI and MCP server..
- Tags unique to cortex-memory: ai, ai-coding-assistant, ai-memory, claude.
- When you are working with specific AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Cursor, or Cline and need persistent memory across coding sessions.
When NOT to use cortex-memory
- If you are not using AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Cursor, or Cline, as cortex-memory is specifically designed to work with these tools.
- When you prefer a tool that does not automatically capture decisions and context, and you want full control over what is stored and retrieved.
- If you are working in an environment where zero-configuration tools are not suitable, and you require extensive customization options.
Explore
Sources
Every stat on this page traces to a dated GitHub sync, license file, enrichment field, or trust scan.
- GitHub stars (cyanheads/obsidian-mcp-server) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (cyanheads/obsidian-mcp-server) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (cyanheads/obsidian-mcp-server) · observed Sep 19, 2026
- License file (Apache-2.0) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Jul 15, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Jul 26, 2026
- GitHub stars (SKULLFIRE07/cortex-memory) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- GitHub forks (SKULLFIRE07/cortex-memory) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Last push (SKULLFIRE07/cortex-memory) · observed Mar 25, 2026
- License file (MIT) · observed Sep 20, 2026
- Decision facts (enrichment) · observed Sep 18, 2026
- Trust scan (lockfile / OSV) · observed Sep 18, 2026
GitHub stars on cards: obsidian-mcp-server 682 · cortex-memory 8 (synced Sep 20, 2026).
Common questions
- What is the difference between obsidian-mcp-server and cortex-memory?
- obsidian-mcp-server: A tool for manipulating and interacting with Obsidian vaults through Model Context Protocol.. cortex-memory: Persistent AI memory for coding sessions, auto-capturing decisions and context.. See the comparison table for live GitHub stats and shared categories.
- When should I choose obsidian-mcp-server over cortex-memory?
- Choose obsidian-mcp-server over cortex-memory when License: obsidian-mcp-server is Apache-2.0, cortex-memory is MIT; Pricing: Freely accessible and distributable with commercial usage allowed.; Requirements: The software requires a running Obsidian vault, basic knowledge of TypeScript, and an understanding of Model Context Protocol for effective use.; Tags unique to obsidian-mcp-server: ai-tools, cyanheads, knowledge-base, mcp; obsidian-mcp-server ships Docker support for self-hosted deployment; When requiring precise manipulation of content, tags, and metadata within an Obsidian knowledge base through automated scripts or third-party applications that support the Model Context Protocol.
- When should I choose cortex-memory over obsidian-mcp-server?
- Choose cortex-memory over obsidian-mcp-server when License: cortex-memory is MIT, obsidian-mcp-server is Apache-2.0; Pricing: The tool is open-source under the MIT License, making it free to use, but additional features or services may come at a cost.; Requirements: Min 2 GB RAM; Requires a compatible AI coding assistant like Claude Code, Cursor, or Cline.; Works best with VSCode, but also supports CLI and MCP server.; Tags unique to cortex-memory: ai, ai-coding-assistant, ai-memory, claude; When you are working with specific AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Cursor, or Cline and need persistent memory across coding sessions.
- When should I avoid obsidian-mcp-server?
- When working with non-Obsidian knowledge bases as this tool is specifically designed for manipulating content within an Obsidian vault framework. If your project does not require the Model Context Protocol for communication, as this introduces a specific layer of protocol handling that may be unnecessary overhead.
- When should I avoid cortex-memory?
- If you are not using AI coding assistants like Claude Code, Cursor, or Cline, as cortex-memory is specifically designed to work with these tools. When you prefer a tool that does not automatically capture decisions and context, and you want full control over what is stored and retrieved. If you are working in an environment where zero-configuration tools are not suitable, and you require extensive customization options.
- Is obsidian-mcp-server or cortex-memory more popular on GitHub?
- obsidian-mcp-server has more GitHub stars (682 vs 8). Stars measure visibility, not whether either tool fits your constraints.
- Are obsidian-mcp-server and cortex-memory open source?
- Yes - both are open-source projects on GitHub (obsidian-mcp-server: Apache-2.0, cortex-memory: MIT).
- Where can I find alternatives to obsidian-mcp-server or cortex-memory?
- GraphCanon lists graph-backed alternatives at obsidian-mcp-server alternatives and cortex-memory alternatives (obsidian-mcp-server markdown twin, cortex-memory markdown twin), ranked by typed relationship edges rather than popularity votes.
- Is there a machine-readable version of this comparison?
- Yes. The markdown twin at this comparison mirrors this page for agents and LLM crawlers, with the same stats table and FAQ answers.
- Which is better maintained, obsidian-mcp-server or cortex-memory?
- obsidian-mcp-server: Very active. cortex-memory: Slowing. Compare maintenance labels, days since push, and release cadence in the trust section below - stars alone do not measure maintenance.
- Where are the full trust reports for obsidian-mcp-server and cortex-memory?
- GraphCanon publishes per-repo trust reports with dated maintenance, provenance, and scan summaries: obsidian-mcp-server trust report; cortex-memory trust report.