Magic MCP vs Science
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and Science MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Magic MCP for architecture & design work as a local process; choose Science for aerospace & astrodynamics 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 Architecture & Design 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.
Choose Science when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Aerospace & Astrodynamics domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
get_iss_location, get_earthquakes, get_air_quality.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Aerospace & Astrodynamics |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 56/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | 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 |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 6,227 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 16 views 1 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 4 |
| Full listing | View Magic MCP | View Science |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Science tools 4
get_iss_locationFetch the International Space Station's current latitude, longitude, and Unix timestamp from the Open Notify API. No inputs required; returns a real-time position fix.get_earthquakesRetrieve up to 20 globally recent earthquakes from the USGS FDSN service, filtered by lookback period (1–30 days, default 1) and minimum magnitude (default 4.0). Returns magnitude, location name, depth (km), coordinates, time, and tsunami warning flag.get_air_qualityCheck current air quality at a latitude/longitude. Returns US AQI score and category plus PM2.5, PM10, ozone, NO2, and CO levels.get_apodGet NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day with image URL, title, and explanation. Optionally specify a date (e.g., '2024-01-15').
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"
}
}
}
}
Science
{
"mcpServers": {
"science": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pipeworx/mcp-science"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Magic MCP is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Science belongs to Aerospace & Astrodynamics and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Magic MCP for architecture & design work and Science for aerospace & astrodynamics.
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. Science 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 science 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 6,227 GitHub stars. Science has 56/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.