# cua vs mem0
_Agent Infrastructure · independent comparison_

> cua and mem0 are both open-source agent infrastructure you can self-host for free. mem0 has wider GitHub adoption — 62k stars vs 21k. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**cua**
- Open source · Infrastructure · 21k★ · Python · MIT · active today
- Best for: Background computer-use across macOS, Windows, and Linux without stealing focus.
- Avoid if: You need a runtime older than Python 3.11.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/cua) · [official](https://cua.ai)

**mem0**
- Open source · Infrastructure · 62k★ · Python · Apache-2.0 · active 2 days ago
- Best for: Adding a persistent memory layer to agents across sessions and users.
- Avoid if: You only need simple conversation history in a single session.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/mem0) · [official](https://mem0.ai)

## Key differences

- mem0 has wider GitHub adoption — 62k stars vs 21k.
- Licensing differs: cua is MIT, mem0 is Apache-2.0.

## Which to choose

**Choose cua if:** Background computer-use across macOS, Windows, and Linux without stealing focus.

**Choose mem0 if:** Adding a persistent memory layer to agents across sessions and users.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between cua and mem0?**
mem0 has wider GitHub adoption — 62k stars vs 21k.

**Is cua or mem0 better?**
Neither is universally better. cua is the stronger fit for Background computer-use across macOS, Windows, and Linux without stealing focus; mem0 for Adding a persistent memory layer to agents across sessions and users. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is cua or mem0 free?**
cua is free to run and self-host; mem0 is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.

**Which is more popular, cua or mem0?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — mem0 is ahead (62k vs 21k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/cua-vs-mem0