Canvas MCP vs Moodle MCP Server Aql
A side-by-side look at the Canvas MCP and Moodle MCP Server Aql MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Canvas MCP for education work as a local process; choose Moodle MCP Server Aql for education as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Canvas MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
CANVAS_BASE_URL, CANVAS_TOKEN, CANVAS_DUMP_DIR. - You want tools like
list_courses, list_assignments, list_modules.
Choose Moodle MCP Server Aql when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
MOODLE_URL, MOODLE_TOKEN. - You want tools like
list_courses, get_course, list_course_users.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Education | Education |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 56/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | CANVAS_BASE_URLCANVAS_TOKENCANVAS_DUMP_DIR | MOODLE_URLMOODLE_TOKEN |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 4 | 1 |
| Directory activity | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 10 | 10 |
| Full listing | View Canvas MCP | View Moodle MCP Server Aql |
Tools & capabilities
Canvas MCP tools 10
list_courseslist_assignmentslist_moduleslist_announcementsget_pageget_file_infoget_gradesplanner_itemsupcoming_eventstodo
Moodle MCP Server Aql tools 10
list_coursesFull course catalog with category drill-downget_courseDetail view for any courselist_course_usersEnrolled users with roles and access data (now supports course name search with interactive selection)list_assignmentsAll assignments with due dateslist_categoriesFull hierarchy with exact parent resolutionget_site_infoInstance overview — site name, version, course countget_userDetail view for a Moodle userlist_user_coursesCourses for a specific usersearch_usersUser search by standard Moodle identity fieldssearch_courses_by_nameSearch for courses by name with partial matching and interactive selection
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.
Canvas MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"admin978-canvas-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"canvas-local-mcp"
],
"env": {
"CANVAS_BASE_URL": "YOUR_CANVAS_BASE_URL_HERE",
"CANVAS_TOKEN": "YOUR_CANVAS_TOKEN_HERE",
"CANVAS_DUMP_DIR": "YOUR_CANVAS_DUMP_DIR_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Moodle MCP Server Aql
{
"mcpServers": {
"moodle-mcp-server-aql": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"moodle-mcp-server-aql"
],
"env": {
"MOODLE_URL": "YOUR_MOODLE_URL_HERE",
"MOODLE_TOKEN": "YOUR_MOODLE_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Canvas MCP is categorized under Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Moodle MCP Server Aql belongs to Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Canvas MCP for education work and Moodle MCP Server Aql for education.
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.
Canvas MCP is listed as free. Auth: api key required. Moodle MCP Server Aql 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 admin978-canvas-mcp and moodle-mcp-server-aql as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Canvas MCP has a quality signal of 59/100 (Good) with 4 views, 0 installs and 4 GitHub stars. Moodle MCP Server Aql has 56/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.