Calculating the ROI of MCP for Business
Before adopting any tool, the question is always the same: Is it worth it? This article gives you a framework to calculate MCP's ROI for your specific situation—with real numbers from actual users.
The ROI Formula
ROI = (Time Saved × Hourly Value) - Total Costs
To get the real number, we need to break down each variable realistically.
Variable 1: Time Saved
We've tracked usage across early adopters. Here are the conservative averages for a knowledge worker using basic MCP workflows (Email, Drive, Calendar):
Variable 2: The Costs
The investment for MCP is surprisingly low because it runs on existing hardware.
| Cost Item | Estimated Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Software Subscription | $20 / month | Claude Pro subscription |
| Infrastructure | $0 | Runs on local laptop |
| Setup Labor | ~2 hours (One-time) | Configuring tools & permissions |
| Training | ~3 hours (One-time) | Learning workflows |
Example: The Senior Manager
Let's calculate the ROI for a Senior Marketing Manager earning $100,000/year (~$50/hour).
Monthly Breakdown
The Intangibles (Hidden Value)
The dollar amount is nice, but the qualitative shift is usually what makes teams stay with MCP.
Flow State Protection
Every time you don't have to switch tabs to find a file, you preserve focus. The cost of context switching is huge.
Reduced Burnout
Offloading administrative drab (scheduling, searching) makes work feel less exhausting and more meaningful.
ROI Comparison
How does this stack up against traditional Enterprise Automation tools?
| Tool Type | Avg Cost | Time to Value | ROI Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom Enterprise IPaaS | $50k+ / year | 3-6 months | 12-18 months |
| Zapier / Make (at scale) | $500+ / mo | 2 weeks | 1-2 months |
| MCP + Claude | $20 / mo | 1 day | Week 1 |
Start Generating ROI
The barrier to entry is effectively zero. You don't need a budget committee meeting to save your first 10 hours.