Notes Stack vs Memex

Memex is an open-source browser extension focused on web annotations, highlights, and social bookmarking. It lets you highlight text on any page, add margin notes, and organize pages into collections called Spaces. Notes Stack takes a simpler approach: structured notes in the browser side panel with stacks, reminders, and a rich text editor.

Feature Comparison

Where Notes Stack Wins

Simpler Mental Model

Memex is feature-rich: highlights, annotations, page notes, spaces, tags, collections, sharing, and social features. It can feel overwhelming if all you want is to jot down a note. Notes Stack has a clean, focused interface: open the side panel, write your note, assign a stack. Done.

Task Lists and Checklists

Notes Stack's rich editor includes task lists — perfect for creating interview scorecards, project checklists, or to-do items attached to specific pages. Memex focuses on annotation and doesn't include checklist functionality.

Reminders

Notes Stack lets you set time-based reminders on any note. You'll get a browser notification when it's time to revisit. Memex doesn't have a built-in reminder system.

PIN Lock for Privacy

If you're taking notes on sensitive topics (salary negotiations, confidential research, competitive analysis), Notes Stack lets you lock notes behind a PIN. Memex has no note-level privacy features.

Completely Free

Notes Stack is free with all features unlocked. Memex has a free tier but limits some features (like syncing and backup) to paid plans.

Where Memex Wins

Text Highlighting

Memex lets you highlight specific text on a web page and attach annotations to those highlights. This is incredibly useful for academic research, content review, and close reading. Notes Stack doesn't modify the page content — your notes live in the side panel.

Inline Annotations

Beyond highlights, Memex allows margin-style annotations tied to specific parts of a page. This spatial context can be valuable when reviewing detailed documents or long articles.

Social Sharing and Collaboration

Memex Spaces can be shared with others. You can collaboratively annotate and discuss web content with colleagues or a research group. Notes Stack is a personal, private tool.

Open Source

Memex is open-source, which means you can inspect the code, contribute, and self-host if privacy is a top concern.