Arcgis Austin vs MCP Server

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

Arcgis Austin logoArcgis AustinLocation Services · Local subprocess (stdio)City of Austin GIS — Austin, Texas open geospatial data (ArcGIS).60GoodAuth: no auth requiredMCP Server logoMCP ServerLocation Services · Local subprocess (stdio)US address verification, parsing, autocomplete, forward/reverse geocoding, and IP geolocation via sthan.io APIs. 8 tools, free tier available. npx @sthan/mcp-server61GoodAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose Arcgis Austin for location services work as a local process; choose MCP Server for location services as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Arcgis Austin logoChoose Arcgis Austin when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Location Services domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like search_datasets, query_layer, layer_info.
Explore Arcgis Austin

MCP Server logoChoose MCP Server when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Location Services domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You have the keys it needs: STHAN_API_KEY.
  • You want tools like sthan_verify_address, sthan_parse_address, sthan_autocomplete_address.
Explore MCP Server

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecArcgis Austin logoArcgis AustinMCP Server logoMCP Server
CategoryLocation ServicesLocation Services
Quality signal60/100 · Good61/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredAPI key required
PricingFreeFreemium
Required env varsNone listedSTHAN_API_KEY
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars00
Directory activity 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools38

Tools & capabilities

Arcgis Austin tools 3

  • search_datasetsSearch City of Austin GIS open geospatial datasets (parcels, zoning, transport, parks & city services) by keyword. Returns each dataset's name, summary, record_count, owner/org, and its Feature Service `url` — pass that url to query_layer / layer_info.
  • query_layerQuery an ArcGIS Feature Service / Map Service layer by its url (from search_datasets). SQL-like `where`, comma-separated `out_fields`, `order_by`, `limit`, `offset`. Returns attribute rows (and geometry). Use where="1=1" + out_fields="*" to sample.
  • layer_infoGet an ArcGIS Feature/Map Service layer's schema by url: fields (name + type), geometry type, total record count, and capabilities.

MCP Server tools 8

  • sthan_verify_addressVerify a US address is real and deliverable. Returns standardized format, ZIP+4, DPV, residential/commercial.
  • sthan_parse_addressParse freeform US address text into structured components (street number, name, type, direction, unit, city, state, zip).
  • sthan_autocomplete_addressSuggest complete US addresses from partial input. Sub-100ms.
  • sthan_autocomplete_citySuggest US cities from partial input, with state code.
  • sthan_autocomplete_zipcodeSuggest US ZIP codes from partial input.
  • sthan_geocodeUS address → latitude/longitude with accuracy + confidence, county, ZIP+4 and time zone.
  • sthan_reverse_geocodeLatitude/longitude → nearest US street address with distance in meters, county, ZIP+4 and time zone; `limit` (up to 10) also lists nearby addresses.
  • sthan_ip_geolocationIPv4 or IPv6 → location (country to postal code, local time, flag, currency), the network behind it (ASN, ISP, proxy/hosting flags) and a confidence score.

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.

Arcgis Austin

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "arcgis-austin": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@pipeworx/mcp-arcgis-austin"
      ]
    }
  }
}

MCP Server

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sthan-io-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@sthan/mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "STHAN_API_KEY": "YOUR_STHAN_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Arcgis Austin is categorized under Location Services and uses a local stdio subprocess. MCP Server belongs to Location Services and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Arcgis Austin for location services work and MCP Server for location services.

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.

Arcgis Austin is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. MCP Server is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. Auth: api key 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 arcgis-austin and sthan-io-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Arcgis Austin has a quality signal of 60/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. MCP Server has 61/100 (Good) with 5 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.