Mem0 vs Zep
Mem0 offers a cloud-first managed memory API with an optional local mode (OpenMemory). Zep builds temporal knowledge graphs using Neo4j via its Graphiti engine. Two popular approaches to the same problem: giving AI agents memory.
Managed simplicity vs graph-powered reasoning. Here's how they compare.
The Key Difference
Cloud-first memory API
A managed service that stores and retrieves memories via API. Quick to integrate with minimal setup. OpenMemory provides a local alternative, but the primary product is the cloud platform.
Temporal knowledge graph
An open-source system built on Neo4j that models memories as a temporal knowledge graph. Strong at tracking how information changes over time. Requires graph database infrastructure.
Full Comparison
Every row verified from public documentation and GitHub repos. Updated April 2026.
Consider OMEGA If…
Both Mem0 and Zep solve real problems. But if you want local-first memory with zero dependencies, the highest published benchmark score, and deep MCP integration, OMEGA is worth evaluating.
LongMemEval
95.4%
vs 71.2% (Zep), not published (Mem0)
MCP tools
25
vs 9-10 (Zep), 9/4 (Mem0)
Dependencies
Zero
No Neo4j, no API keys, no cloud
Encryption
AES-256
Local data, local encryption
Frequently Asked
Is Mem0 or Zep better for production use?
It depends on your requirements. Mem0's cloud API is faster to integrate if you want a managed service and don't mind sending data to external servers. Zep is stronger if you need temporal reasoning and relationship tracking, but requires running Neo4j infrastructure. Both are viable for production.
Does Mem0 publish benchmark results?
As of April 2026, Mem0 has not published LongMemEval or equivalent benchmark scores. Zep/Graphiti has published a 71.2% LongMemEval score. OMEGA has published the highest score at 95.4%.
Can I use Zep without Neo4j?
No. Zep's Graphiti engine requires Neo4j as its graph database. This is a core architectural dependency, not an optional component. You'll need to provision and maintain a Neo4j instance.
Is there a memory system that works locally without any external dependencies?
OMEGA runs entirely locally with SQLite and ONNX embeddings. No API keys, no Neo4j, no cloud accounts. It scores 95.4% on LongMemEval with 25 MCP tools and AES-256 encryption.