MCP note app

Short answer

An MCP note app is a note-taking app with a built-in MCP server, so ChatGPT and Claude can read, search, and write your notes directly instead of you pasting context. Hjarni is one: hosted Markdown notes any MCP client can use from any device, with an official server listed in both the ChatGPT and Claude directories and free apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android.

What makes a note app an "MCP note app"

A normal note app stores text for you to read. An MCP note app adds a server that speaks the Model Context Protocol, so an AI assistant can connect and use your notes as tools: search them, read them, create new ones, and update existing ones. The notes become live context for every conversation, not a file you copy and paste from.

Which note apps have an MCP server

Support varies, and the important detail is whether the server is hosted (a remote assistant like ChatGPT on the web can reach it) or local (only desktop clients on the same machine).

App	MCP	Reach
Hjarni	Built in	Hosted: ChatGPT, Claude, and any MCP client, from any device
Notion	Official hosted MCP	Hosted
Bear	Local server (macOS)	Local desktop clients only
Joplin	Built in since 3.7, local	Desktop clients on the same machine, via an mcp-remote shim
Anytype	Official, installed separately	Local desktop clients
Basic Memory	Local or hosted MCP	Local clients, or remote clients through Basic Memory Cloud
Obsidian	Third-party plugins	Local, plugin-dependent
Logseq	Community plugins	Local, plugin-dependent

How to pick

If you only ever use a desktop client like Claude Desktop on one machine, a local MCP note app such as Bear or Joplin is simple and affordable. Note that "official" and "reachable" are different things: Joplin's server is built in and official, but it listens on 127.0.0.1, so ChatGPT on the web cannot connect to it. If you use ChatGPT or Claude on the web and your phone, or you want both assistants to share one memory, pick a hosted one. Hjarni is hosted, stores plain Markdown you can export, and works with every MCP client, so the same notes follow you across tools. Notion MCP and Basic Memory Cloud also offer hosted endpoints. See the full best MCP knowledge base roundup for how the options compare.

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Common questions

MCP note app questions

What is an MCP note app?

A note-taking app with a built-in MCP server, so ChatGPT and Claude can read, search, and write your notes directly instead of you pasting context into the chat. Hjarni is one: plain Markdown notes, folders, and tags, with the MCP server built in.

Which note apps have an MCP server?

Hjarni and Notion offer hosted MCP. Basic Memory offers local and cloud options. Joplin has a built-in local server; Bear and Anytype also offer local servers. Obsidian and Logseq use third-party servers. Hosted endpoints can serve compatible remote clients; local endpoints need a local client or a bridge.

What is the best MCP note app?

Hjarni if you want a hosted notes app both ChatGPT and Claude can use from any device. Basic Memory if you want a local Markdown workflow with an optional cloud service. Notion if you also need a full workspace with databases and project management.

Is there a free MCP note app?

Yes. Hjarni's free tier includes full MCP access with no token limits. Joplin and the local version of Basic Memory are free and open source.

Should I pick a local or a hosted MCP note app?

Local servers (Joplin, Bear) keep notes on your machine and connect desktop clients like Claude Desktop. A hosted service such as Hjarni, Notion MCP, or Basic Memory Cloud gives you a remote endpoint, so ChatGPT and Claude on the web and on your phone read the same notes from any device.

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