Magic MCP vs Actors
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and Actors MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
A
ActorsDeveloper ToolsPolymarket whales & odds, hiring signals, LLC filings, GovCon recompetes, clinical trials on Apify37FairAuth: not declaredVerdict: choose Magic MCP for developer tools work as a local process; choose Actors for developer tools. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Magic MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY, API_KEY_21ST.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | A Actors | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 37/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Not confirmed yet |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | — |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Paid service | Not declared |
| Required env vars | TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEYAPI_KEY_21ST | None listed |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Actors tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Magic MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"21st-dev-magic-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@21st-dev/cli@latest"
],
"env": {
"TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY": "YOUR_TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEY_HERE",
"API_KEY_21ST": "YOUR_API_KEY_21ST_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Actors
No confirmed install command for Actors yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Frequently asked questions
Magic MCP is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Actors belongs to Developer Tools and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Magic MCP for developer tools work and Actors for developer tools.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client. Actors has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
Magic MCP is listed as a paid service. Auth: api key required. Actors has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add 21st-dev-magic-mcp and actors as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Magic MCP has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 16 views, 1 installs and 5,997 GitHub stars. Actors has 37/100 (Fair) with 1 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.