Magic MCP vs Archestack
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and Archestack MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
A
ArchestackDeveloper Tools · Local subprocess (stdio)Search, rank and compare open-source AI projects with Archestack's open data52GoodAuth: no auth requiredVerdict: choose Magic MCP for developer tools work as a local process; choose Archestack for developer tools as a local process. 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.
AChoose Archestack when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You have the keys it needs:
ARCHESTACK_API_URL. - You want tools like
search_projects, get_project, top_in_category.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | A Archestack | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 52/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | No auth required |
| Pricing | Paid service | Free |
| Required env vars | TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEYAPI_KEY_21ST |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Archestack tools 5
search_projectsFinds projects by words and filters: list, category, license family, runs without a GPU, arm64 build, live demoget_projectOne project in full: score and its parts, place in its category, GitHub facts, health, links, reviewtop_in_categoryThe ranking of one category, best firstcompare2 to 4 projects side by sidealternatives_toOpen-source picks for a paid product, such as Cursor or ChatGPT
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"
}
}
}
}
Archestack
{
"mcpServers": {
"archestack": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@archestack/mcp"
],
"env": {
"ARCHESTACK_API_URL": "YOUR_ARCHESTACK_API_URL_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Magic MCP is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Archestack belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Magic MCP for developer tools work and Archestack 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.
Magic MCP is listed as a paid service. Auth: api key required. Archestack is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. 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 archestack 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. Archestack has 52/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.