Apify MCP Server vs Lilbee

A side-by-side look at the Apify MCP Server and Lilbee MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Apify MCP Server logoApify MCP ServerSearch & Data Extraction · Local subprocess (stdio)Extract data from any website with thousands of scrapers, crawlers, and automations on Apify Store ⚡68GreatAuth: oauth 2.0Lilbee logoLilbeeSearch & Data Extraction · Local subprocess (stdio)Runs and manages its own local models, or uses your existing Ollama or LM Studio if you prefer. Indexes your files and code, crawls the websites you point it at, and answers with citations to the source.59GoodAuth: no auth required

Verdict: choose Apify MCP Server for search & data extraction work as a local process; choose Lilbee for search & data extraction as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Apify MCP Server logoChoose Apify MCP Server when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: OAuth 2.0.
  • You have the keys it needs: APIFY_TOKEN.
  • You want tools like title, readOnlyHint, true.
Explore Apify MCP Server

Lilbee logoChoose Lilbee when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
Explore Lilbee

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecApify MCP Server logoApify MCP ServerLilbee logoLilbee
CategorySearch & Data ExtractionSearch & Data Extraction
Quality signal68/100 · Great59/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthOAuth 2.0No auth required
PricingNot declaredFree
Required env varsAPIFY_TOKENNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars12,75865
Directory activity 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools13Not listed

Tools & capabilities

Apify MCP Server tools 13

  • title
  • readOnlyHint
  • true
  • get-dataset
  • fetch-actor-details
  • apify--web-fetch
  • apify--website-content-crawler
  • pageFunction
  • initialCookies
  • openWorldHint
  • call-actor
  • search-actors
  • +1 more on the listing page

Lilbee 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.

Apify MCP Server

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@apify/actors-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "APIFY_TOKEN": "YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Lilbee

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tobocop2-lilbee": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "lilbee"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Apify MCP Server is categorized under Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. Lilbee belongs to Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Apify MCP Server for search & data extraction work and Lilbee for search & data extraction.

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.

Apify MCP Server has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Auth: oauth 2.0. Lilbee 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 apify-mcp-server and tobocop2-lilbee as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Apify MCP Server has a quality signal of 68/100 (Great) with 5 views, 0 installs and 12,758 GitHub stars. Lilbee has 59/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 65 GitHub stars.