Benspdf vs TruePath PDF
A side-by-side look at the Benspdf and TruePath PDF 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 TruePath PDF 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 TruePath PDF when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
get_info, extract_text, search.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Systems | File Systems |
| Quality signal | 51/100 · Good | 55/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | BENSTOOLS_WORKSPACEBENSPDF_MODEL | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 1 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 12 | 9 |
| Full listing | View Benspdf | View TruePath PDF |
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
TruePath PDF tools 9
get_infoPage count, first-page size (with an `allSameSize` flag), encryption status, and embedded PDF metadata (title, author, dates, producer, format version).extract_textPlain-text extraction. Optional 1-based page range (`"3"`, `"1-5"`, `"1,3,5-7"`). Output is grouped by page with `===== Page N =====` markers so the model can cite the right page.searchSubstring search across the whole document. Returns each hit's page, offset within the page, and a snippet of surrounding text. Use for grep-style discovery before a heavier `extract_text`.splitSplit one PDF into N by page ranges. Each range becomes one output file.mergeCombine two or more PDFs into one, in the given order.pagesDelete, rotate, and reorder pages in one pass. `delete` is applied first (page numbers in `rotate` refer to the source PDF); `reorder` is applied to the survivors.to_imagesRasterise PDF pages as PNG or JPG at a chosen DPI. Common DPIs: `96` (screen), `150` (print preview), `300` (print).extract_imagesPull embedded images out of a PDF and write each as a PNG. Reports any images skipped because of unsupported pixel layouts (CMYK, palettized, etc).open_in_truepathHand a local PDF to the TruePath PDF Mac app via `truepath://open?path=…`. Fire-and-forget: macOS launches (or routes to) the app, the URL handler opens the PDF. Use this after reading / analyzing in MCP to drop the user into the GUI for annotation, signing, redaction, etc.
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"
}
}
}
}
TruePath PDF
{
"mcpServers": {
"truepath-pdf": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@truepathpdf/mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Benspdf is categorized under File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. TruePath PDF belongs to File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Benspdf for file systems work and TruePath PDF 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. TruePath PDF 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 benspdf and truepath-pdf 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 1 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars. TruePath PDF has 55/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.