Magic MCP vs Tapo MCP
A side-by-side look at the Magic MCP and Tapo MCP 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 Tapo MCP for home automation 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 Tapo MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Home Automation domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: other.
- You have the keys it needs:
TAPO_USERNAME, TAPO_PASSWORD, IP_ADDRESS.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Architecture & Design | Home Automation |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 51/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | other |
| Pricing | Paid service | Free |
| Required env vars | TWENTY_FIRST_API_KEYAPI_KEY_21ST | TAPO_USERNAMETAPO_PASSWORDIP_ADDRESS |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 6,217 | 862 |
| Directory activity | 16 views 1 installs 0 upvotes | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | Not listed |
| Full listing | View Magic MCP | View Tapo MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Magic MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Tapo MCP 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"
}
}
}
}
Tapo MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"tapo-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"tapo"
],
"env": {
"TAPO_USERNAME": "YOUR_TAPO_USERNAME_HERE",
"TAPO_PASSWORD": "YOUR_TAPO_PASSWORD_HERE",
"IP_ADDRESS": "YOUR_IP_ADDRESS_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Magic MCP is categorized under Architecture & Design and uses a local stdio subprocess. Tapo MCP belongs to Home Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Magic MCP for architecture & design work and Tapo MCP for home automation.
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. Tapo MCP is listed as free. Auth: other. 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 tapo-mcp 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 6,217 GitHub stars. Tapo MCP has 51/100 (Good) with 4 views, 0 installs and 862 GitHub stars.