MCP Tools & Platforms Comparison
Comparing MCP server options, clients, and platforms. What to use for different needs.
This article is part of our Setup series.
Read the complete guide: Setup GuideMCP is a protocol, not a product. That means choices: which servers to use, which client, which tools to connect first. This comparison guide helps you navigate the MCP ecosystem—official servers vs. community options, client choices, and how to build your optimal stack.
The MCP Ecosystem Overview
Understanding the three layers of the MCP stack is critical for making the right choices.
Choosing Your Client
Claude Desktop (Official)
- ✓ Best For: 95% of users. The standard experience.
- ✓ Pros: Native support, easiest setup, visual feedback.
- ✕ Cons: Only works with Claude models.
Zed Editor (Developer)
- ✓ Best For: Software engineers coding daily.
- ✓ Pros: Integrated into IDE, fast context switching.
- ✕ Cons: High learning curve, developer-focused UI.
Server Landscape: Official vs. Community
The biggest choice is often between the "Official" servers and community-built alternatives.
| Feature | Official Servers (@modelcontextprotocol) | Community Servers |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | High. Maintained by Anthropic. | Variable. Check GitHub stars/activity. |
| Setup | Standardized via `uvx` or `npx`. | Often requires manual Docker/pip steps. |
| Capabilities | Focused set (Files, Google, Slack). | Vast range (Spotify, arXiv, Home Assistant). |
| Security | Audited reference implementations. | Use at your own risk. Audit code. |
Top Tool Categories & Recommendations
Connects Claude to your folders.
Verdict: Essential first install. Zero config.
Access Gmail, Docs, Calendar.
Verdict: Powerful but requires OAuth client ID setup. Worth the effort.
Search capabilities of GitHub repo, inspect DB schemas.
Verdict: Critical for engineering workflows.
When to Build Custom?
Sometimes the tool you need doesn't exist yet.
Connecting proprietary business data that will never have a public server.
When you need strict control over exactly what data is exposed and how.
Summary: The Recommended Stack
For Most Users (The "Productivity Stack")
- 🔹 Client: Claude Desktop
- 🔹 Core Server: Filesystem (mapped to Documents)
- 🔹 Cloud Server: Google Drive (for email/docs)
- 🔹 Utility: Fetch (for browsing web content)