Comparing Karakeep and Tenoa

A visual library without Docker or a server

Karakeep is an impressive open source bookmark manager if you run Docker. I built Tenoa as a visual library on your desktop for people who want their items saved as plain files in normal folders.

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$49 once · Up to three desktop computers · 14-day free trial

If you stop paying, everything keeps working

Karakeep is an exceptional piece of software. It has over 28,000 GitHub stars, and an AGPL-3.0 open source license. If you enjoy self-hosting, you can run it on Docker for free with unlimited bookmarks and storage. It archives full web pages with Monolith, archives video with yt-dlp, and supports Android, an API, and an MCP server. In those areas, Karakeep does things Tenoa does not do.

I built Tenoa because many people want a visual library without managing containers or servers. With Karakeep, you either set up Docker and Meilisearch yourself, or use Karakeep Cloud, which is free up to 10 bookmarks and $4 a month or $40 a year for Pro. With Tenoa on your desktop, you install an application. There is no server to configure and nothing to host.

Storage is another fundamental difference. Karakeep stores your data in a database. I could not confirm which database engine it uses. Tenoa saves every item as two plain files in a normal folder on your computer. One file is your untouched original file. Beside it sits a markdown note holding your note, tags, and summary. There is no library container. Any app on your computer can open and read that folder.

Pricing is also different. Tenoa is $49 once for up to three desktop computers, with a 14-day free trial and no card needed. That purchase includes a year of updates and hosted sync. After that, hosted sync and new features cost an optional $29 a year. If you stop paying, everything you own keeps working, same-network sync stays free, and security and compatibility fixes stay free. I run Tenoa as an independent, one-person business.

Side by side

Side by side how they differ

Here is an honest breakdown of features, storage models, and pricing.

	Karakeep	Tenoa
Price	Free and unlimited when self-hosted on Docker. Karakeep Cloud has a free tier (10 bookmarks), or Pro at $4 monthly or $40 yearly with a 7-day money-back guarantee.	$49 once for up to three computers with a 14-day free trial. Optional $29 a year later for hosted sync and new features. Core app keeps working if you stop.
Where files live	Stored in a database. I could not confirm which database engine it uses.	Two plain files in a normal folder on your disk: the untouched original and a markdown note beside it. Any app can open the folder.
Server requirement	Requires Docker and server management for self-hosting, or using the official hosted Karakeep Cloud service.	No server or Docker required. You install an app on your computer and it runs locally.
Search	Keyword, hybrid, and semantic search powered by Meilisearch. OCR makes text inside images and screenshots searchable.	Reads inside content on your computer: screenshot text, PDF text, video transcripts, and meaning matches.
AI features	Automatic tagging and summaries via LLM. Supports Ollama for local models. Full list of providers is unconfirmed.	Runs with a local model on your computer, or an AI service using your own API key.
Mobile apps	Native apps available for both iOS and Android.	Free iPhone and iPad apps save screenshots, pages, and images directly to your computer library. No Android app.
Browser capture	Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Archives full web pages with Monolith and videos with yt-dlp.	Built-in Safari extension, Chrome and Firefox extensions live. One-click capture, hover to save images, drop files.
Platforms	Web app, iOS, Android, browser extensions, CLI, REST API, and an MCP server.	Mac and Windows desktop apps. iOS and iPadOS.

Fair is fair

When to choose Karakeep instead

Karakeep is the better choice for many setups, especially if you value open source code or want to manage your own server.

You want open source softwareKarakeep is AGPL-3.0 licensed with over 28,000 GitHub stars, while Tenoa is closed source.
You want to self-host for freeRunning Karakeep with Docker costs nothing for unlimited bookmarks and data storage.
You need an Android appKarakeep has an Android app available today, whereas Tenoa only offers iOS and iPadOS mobile apps.
You need an API or MCP serverKarakeep provides a REST API, CLI, and MCP server for developer integrations that Tenoa does not have.

If any of those match your workflow, you should install Karakeep.

Pricing

Buy the app.
Keep the app

One purchase instead of a yearly plan. The optional annual covers the part that costs money to keep running. It does not rent your own library back to you

Launch price

Tenoa desktop

^$49 once

One license for up to three desktop computers, plus your first year of Tenoa Sync + Updates

✓ The full desktop app
✓ Files stored on your own devices
✓ Mac and Windows count together
✓ iPhone and iPad apps free
✓ 14-day free trial, no card needed
✓ 14-day, no-questions refund

Download the free 14-day trial

Or buy Tenoa desktop now · $49

Your license key arrives by email within a minute of purchase. Refunds are honored for 14 days, no questions asked. Write to hello@tenoa.app if anything goes sideways

Optional after year one

Tenoa Sync + Updates

^$29 / year

Hosted syncing across networks, plus new features released after your included year

✓ Tenoa-hosted device sync
✓ New features while current
✓ Same-network sync stays free
✓ Security fixes stay free
✓ Compatibility fixes stay free

If you stop paying, everything you already own keeps working

FAQ

Common questions about Tenoa plain and direct

Do I need Docker or a home server to run Tenoa?+

No. You install Tenoa on your desktop like any standard desktop application. There are no containers to configure, no background databases to maintain, and no server ports to open.

How does file storage work in Tenoa compared to Karakeep?+

Karakeep saves data into a database, though its specific database engine is unconfirmed. Tenoa saves every item as two plain files in a normal folder on your computer: the untouched original file and a markdown file beside it.

What happens if I stop paying after the first year?+

Everything you imported or saved keeps working on your computer. Same-network sync stays free, and you continue to receive security and compatibility fixes. The optional $29 annual charge is only needed for hosted sync and new features.

How do AI features work without an external server?+

Tenoa runs AI features locally on your computer using a local model. You can also connect an AI service by adding your own API key. Search reads text inside screenshots, PDF documents, and video transcripts right on your machine.

Does Tenoa have mobile apps and browser extensions?+

Tenoa has free iPhone and iPad apps on the App Store that save directly to your library on your computer. It includes a built-in Safari extension and live extensions for Chrome and Firefox. There is no Android app.

Can I use Tenoa on Windows?+

Tenoa on your desktop runs on Mac and Windows today. The Windows app is available from the Microsoft Store.

More comparisons: mymind alternative · Recall alternative · Eagle alternative · Raindrop alternative for images · Cosmos, Savee and Are.na alternative · Search your screenshots on Mac and iPhone · Pocket alternative

Save what matters.
Find it again

Try it on a folder of your own screenshots first. The trial is 14 days and needs no card

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