Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison
Studio MCP vs MCP Server
In-depth architectural comparison of the Studio MCP and MCP Server MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.
At a Glance & Executive Verdict
Studio MCP
Marketing · Local stdio
Quality: 61/100 (Good) | Auth: No auth required
MCP Server
Marketing · Local stdio
Quality: 53/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required
Verdict Summary: Choose Studio MCP if you need specialized Marketing tools running via a local process. Choose MCP Server if your workspace requires Marketing integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's
mcpServers manifest.Which MCP Server Should You Choose?
Choose Studio MCP when:
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Marketing domain.
- You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
- Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
- You have access to required keys:
STUDIO_STORAGE_STATE_PATH. - Primary tools included: studio_start, studio_goto, studio_click.
Choose MCP Server when:
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Marketing domain.
- You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
- Your security boundary fits: API Key required (BYOK (Pay Provider Direct)).
- You have access to required keys:
QR_MAKER_API_KEY, QR_MAKER_API_URL. - Primary tools included: generate_qr, batch_generate, get_batch_status.
Feature & Specification Comparison
Tools & Capabilities Breakdown
Studio MCP Tools (14)
studio_start
Start a recording session: launches a themed headless browser and begins capturing video. Returns the session config and the output directory. One session at a time — studio_finish or studio_cancel ends it. Set theme to the PRODUCT'S brand (bg = its app background — wrong bg causes visible flashes on page loads); use storage_state_path (a Playwright storageState JSON) to record logged-in areas without sharing credentials; list chat widgets / dev overlays / consent banners in hide_selectors so they never appear on tape.
studio_goto
Navigate to a URL behind a designed transition card (eyebrow + big title on the theme background) — the viewer never sees a loading flash or half-hydrated page. Use for the opening shot AND every surface change; give each a short title so the cut reads as a chapter. Waits for real content (network settle + optional wait_for selector + skeleton loaders cleared) before lifting the card.
studio_click
Glide the visible cursor to a target and click it, slow enough to read as a deliberate action on camera. Use for every button / link / menu interaction in the walkthrough. Precondition: the target must be on screen — studio_goto or studio_scroll to it first if it isn't. Prefer a stable CSS selector; fall back to visible text. After clicking it waits for the page to settle and re-applies the theme overlays, so the next beat is on a hydrated page. Returns 'clicked <target>', or errors 'target not visible' — then take a studio_screenshot and pick a better target.
Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations
Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).
Studio MCP Configuration
MCP Server Configuration