Comparison

retainr vs Zep: No-Code AI Agent Memory for n8n & Make.com

Zep is a memory layer for Python/TypeScript developers building LLM applications. retainr is for automation builders — n8n, Make.com, and Zapier users who need persistent AI memory without deploying infrastructure or writing code.

Feature comparison

FeatureretainrZep
Setup time30 secondsHours (SDK + config)
Code requiredNoYes (Python or TS)
n8n node✓ Community node✗ No native node
Make.com module✓ HTTP module✗ No native module
Zapier action✓ HTTP action✗ No native action
Semantic search✓ pgvector✓ Vector search
Managed cloud✓ EU (Hetzner)✓ US cloud
Self-hostedVia API✓ Open source option
Free plan✓ 1,000 ops/moLimited
Target userNo-code buildersDevelopers

When to use Zep

  • ✓ Building a Python or TypeScript LLM application
  • ✓ Need fact extraction and entity tracking
  • ✓ Want to self-host the open-source version
  • ✓ Enterprise deployment with SLA requirements

When to use retainr

  • ✓ Building on n8n, Make.com, or Zapier without code
  • ✓ Need to ship in minutes, not hours
  • ✓ Managing memory for many users via automation
  • ✓ Want EU data residency (GDPR compliant)

Moving from Zep to retainr

Already using Zep in a Python or TypeScript app and want to expose memory to n8n or Make.com workflows? retainr accepts the same plain text content Zep stores, accessible via a simple HTTP API.

  1. 1
    Export from Zep

    Use the Zep REST API to retrieve memories for each session. Export the fact or message content as plain text.

  2. 2
    Import to retainr

    POST each memory to https://api.retainr.dev/v1/memories with a namespace (e.g. user:alice) matching your user identifier. No format conversion needed.

  3. 3
    Replace Zep calls in your workflow

    In n8n, install the retainr community node. In Make.com or Zapier, replace the Zep HTTP calls with retainr equivalents. The API surface is simpler.

retainr vs Zep — frequently asked questions

What is the best Zep alternative for n8n?
retainr is the best Zep alternative for n8n users. It installs as a community node in 30 seconds with no code required. Zep's Python/TypeScript SDK requires custom integration code that sits outside n8n's visual workflow builder.
How does retainr compare to Zep for automation workflows?
For code-based LLM apps, Zep provides excellent session memory with fact extraction. For no-code automation on n8n, Make.com, and Zapier, retainr is the better choice: native nodes for each platform, zero code required, and pricing designed for automation builders.
Is there a Zep node for n8n?
No. As of 2026, there is no official Zep n8n community node. Integrating Zep with n8n requires writing custom HTTP request logic. retainr's n8n-nodes-retainr community node provides equivalent persistent memory with a native n8n interface.
Can I use Zep with Make.com without code?
Not easily. Zep requires the Python or TypeScript SDK for most operations. While Zep has a REST API, there is no pre-built Make.com module, so you would need to configure raw HTTP requests manually. retainr is designed specifically for this use case.
What is cheaper — Zep or retainr for small projects?
retainr is cheaper for small projects. The free plan includes 1,000 memory operations per month with no time limit. Paid plans start at €29/month for 20,000 operations. Zep's pricing is enterprise-focused and less suited for individual automation builders.
How do I use AI memory in n8n without Zep?
Install the n8n-nodes-retainr community node from n8n Settings → Community Nodes. Add your free retainr API key. Use the Store Memory node to save context after AI interactions, and the Search Memory node to inject relevant past context before each AI call.

Try retainr free — no code required

1,000 memory operations per month. Works with n8n, Make.com, and Zapier out of the box.

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