Basic Memory vs IT Glue
> An AI-native knowledge base your team and its agents run, versus a traditional MSP documentation system of record. They overlap less than you would think. And many MSPs run both.
The short answer
Basic Memory is an AI-native knowledge base: your team and Claude read and write the same plain-Markdown graph over MCP, with a reusable "memory pack" of schemas, templates, and SOPs you deploy per client. IT Glue is a purpose-built MSP documentation platform. Structured IT asset and configuration docs, a password vault, and deep RMM/PSA integrations. If you want AI to actually run and query your client documentation in files you own, use Basic Memory. If you need an IT-specific system of record with a password vault and ConnectWise/Datto integrations, IT Glue is built for that.
| Basic Memory | IT Glue | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | AI-native knowledge base for teams & agents | MSP IT-documentation platform |
| AI reads & writes it | Yes. Natively over MCP (Claude, etc.) | Limited; AI is an add-on |
| Format | Plain Markdown you own | Proprietary cloud database |
| Data portability | Copy the files; works in any editor | Export through the platform |
| Per-client isolation | Yes. Isolated tenant per client | Yes. Multi-tenant |
| Reusable per-client setup | Yes. Deployable memory packs | Yes. Flexible asset templates |
| Password vault & asset mgmt | No | Yes. Core feature |
| RMM / PSA integrations | No | Yes. Deep (ConnectWise, Datto, etc.) |
| Pricing | Free local; Cloud from $15/seat/mo; partner pricing | Per-user, quote-based (typically higher) |
Two different jobs
IT Glue is a system of record for IT documentation: passwords, configurations, assets, and procedures, tightly integrated with the RMM and PSA tools that run an MSP. It is mature, IT-specific, and very good at being the source of truth a technician opens to look something up.
Basic Memory is the AI layer over your client knowledge. Claude onboards a new client against your SOP, files documents to a schema, opens and closes tickets, and answers staff questions. All by reading and writing a plain-Markdown knowledge graph the client owns. It is less "where IT facts live" and more "the assistant that maintains and answers from them."
What about Hudu and Confluence?
Hudu is a lower-cost IT-documentation tool in the same category as IT Glue. Structured IT docs, asset management, integrations. The comparison above largely applies to it too.
Confluence and Notion are general team wikis, not MSP-specific and not AI-native: knowledge lives in a proprietary store rather than files you own, and AI access is a bolt-on. Basic Memory differs from all three the same way. It is AI-run and stored as plain Markdown you can read, export, and hand to the client.
Honest about the gap
Basic Memory does not replace a password vault, RMM/PSA integrations, or network discovery. If those are the core of your documentation stack, IT Glue or Hudu remains the system of record.
In practice many MSPs run Basic Memory alongside their PSA: the PSA holds the structured IT data, and Basic Memory is the AI knowledge layer that maintains living documentation and answers questions across it. Without the hours of manual upkeep.
Choose Basic Memory if
- You want Claude to actually run client documentation. Onboarding, filing, and ticket history
- You want client knowledge in plain Markdown you and the client own and can export
- You want a reusable memory pack. Schemas, templates, SOPs. You deploy per client
- You want per-client isolation and an AI knowledge layer without per-seat documentation overhead
Choose IT Glue if
- You need a password vault and IT asset/configuration management as the core
- You rely on deep RMM/PSA integrations like ConnectWise or Datto
- You want a mature, IT-specific documentation system of record
Frequently asked questions
Is Basic Memory an IT Glue alternative?
For the AI knowledge and living-documentation layer, yes. Basic Memory lets Claude maintain and answer from client documentation stored as plain Markdown you own. It is not a drop-in replacement for IT Glue’s password vault or RMM/PSA integrations, so some MSPs run both.
Can Basic Memory replace my MSP documentation tool?
It can replace the documentation-maintenance burden. Claude onboards clients to your SOP, files records to schema, and answers staff questions. If you depend on a password vault, asset/configuration management, or RMM/PSA integrations, keep those in IT Glue or Hudu and use Basic Memory as the AI layer alongside.
How does Basic Memory compare to Hudu and Confluence?
Hudu is in IT Glue’s category (structured IT docs with integrations); the same comparison applies. Confluence and Notion are general wikis that store knowledge in a proprietary format with AI as an add-on. Basic Memory is AI-native and stores everything as plain Markdown you own and can export.
How much does Basic Memory cost compared to IT Glue?
Basic Memory is free to run locally; Cloud starts at $15 per seat per month, with dedicated partner pricing for MSPs deploying it across clients. IT Glue is per-user, quote-based, and typically priced well above that.
Try Basic Memory free
Open source to run locally. Cloud from $15/seat/month with a 7-day trial.