Benspdf vs Gurupdf MCP
A side-by-side look at the Benspdf and Gurupdf MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Benspdf for file systems work as a local process; choose Gurupdf MCP for file systems as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Benspdf when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
BENSTOOLS_WORKSPACE, BENSPDF_MODEL. - You want tools like
pdf_page_count, pdf_metadata, pdf_check_text.
Choose Gurupdf MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
GURUPDF_API_KEY. - You want tools like
convert_file, get_status, list_conversions.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Systems | File Systems |
| Quality signal | 51/100 · Good | 60/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | API key required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Freemium |
| Required env vars | BENSTOOLS_WORKSPACEBENSPDF_MODEL | GURUPDF_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 1 | 2 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 12 | 4 |
| Full listing | View Benspdf | View Gurupdf MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Benspdf tools 12
pdf_page_countCounts the pages in a PDFpdf_metadataReads document properties: title, author, dates, producerpdf_check_textSays whether a PDF is readable text or a scan that needs OCRpdf_extract_textReads the text a PDF holds, page by pagepdf_page_layoutPage sizes, orientation, rotation and page boxespdf_check_accessEncryption, and what the file permits: printing, copying, editingpdf_render_pagesRenders pages to images, so a page can be looked atpdf_ocrReads a scan with OCR, and can add a searchable text layer to itcreate_test_pdf_fileGenerates a throwaway PDF, handy for trying things outexportSaves results to a real location on disklist_artifactsLists recent temporary resultsdiscardDeletes temporary results now
Gurupdf MCP tools 4
convert_fileConvert or process a local file (or URL) with GuruPDF. Convert between 100+ formats (PDF ⇄ Word/Excel/PowerPoint, images, ebooks, etc.) or run a PDF tool (compress, merge, split, rotate, protect, watermark, OCR…). Saves the result next to the input and returns the path.get_statusCheck a GuruPDF conversion job by its id (uuid). If it's finished, downloads the result to disk.list_conversionsList the conversions and tools GuruPDF supports, optionally filtered by an input file format.check_creditsShow how many GuruPDF credits the user has left, and how to get more.
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.
Benspdf
{
"mcpServers": {
"benspdf": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"benspdf-mcp"
],
"env": {
"BENSTOOLS_WORKSPACE": "YOUR_BENSTOOLS_WORKSPACE_HERE",
"BENSPDF_MODEL": "YOUR_BENSPDF_MODEL_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Gurupdf MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"gurupdf-gurupdf-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"gurupdf-mcp"
],
"env": {
"GURUPDF_API_KEY": "YOUR_GURUPDF_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Benspdf is categorized under File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Gurupdf MCP belongs to File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Benspdf for file systems work and Gurupdf MCP for file systems.
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.
Benspdf has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Gurupdf MCP 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 benspdf and gurupdf-gurupdf-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Benspdf has a quality signal of 51/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars. Gurupdf MCP has 60/100 (Good) with 4 views, 0 installs and 2 GitHub stars.