MCP Obsidian vs Virtual Fs
A side-by-side look at the MCP Obsidian and Virtual Fs MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose MCP Obsidian for knowledge & memory work as a local process; choose Virtual Fs 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 MCP Obsidian when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
read_note, write_note, patch_note.
Choose Virtual Fs when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
DATABASE_URL. - You want tools like
read, write, append.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Knowledge & Memory | File Systems |
| Quality signal | 73/100 · Great | 51/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | DATABASE_URL |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 1,703 | 3 |
| Directory activity | 11 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 18 | 11 |
| Full listing | View MCP Obsidian | View Virtual Fs |
Tools & capabilities
MCP Obsidian tools 18
read_noteRead a note from the Obsidian vaultwrite_noteWrite a note to the Obsidian vaultpatch_noteEfficiently update part of a note by replacing a specific string. This is more efficient than rewriting the entire note for small changes.list_directoryList files and directories in the vault (includes non-note filenames, while read/write tools remain note-only)delete_noteDelete a note from the Obsidian vault (requires confirmation). Supports permanent delete, vault trash, or system trash.search_notesSearch for notes in the vault by content or frontmattermove_noteMove or rename a note in the vaultmove_fileMove or rename any file in the vault (binary-safe, file-only, requires confirmation)read_multiple_notesRead multiple notes in a batch (max 10 files)update_frontmatterUpdate frontmatter of a note without changing contentget_notes_infoGet metadata for notes without reading full contentget_frontmatterExtract frontmatter from a note without reading the content- +6 more on the listing page
Virtual Fs tools 11
readRead file contentswriteWrite file (creates parents automatically)appendAppend to file (creates if missing)statCheck existence and get metadatalsList directory (dirs first, then alphabetical)mkdirCreate directory and parents (mkdir -p)rmRemove file or directory recursivelymvMove/rename file or directoryglobFind files by glob (e.g., `**/*.ts`, `**/*.{js,ts}`)grepSearch file contents by regexstoresList all persistent store names
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.
MCP Obsidian
{
"mcpServers": {
"bitbonsai-mcp-obsidian": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@bitbonsai/mcpvault@latest"
]
}
}
}
Virtual Fs
{
"mcpServers": {
"virtual-fs": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-virtual-fs"
],
"env": {
"DATABASE_URL": "YOUR_DATABASE_URL_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
MCP Obsidian is categorized under Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Virtual Fs belongs to File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP Obsidian for knowledge & memory work and Virtual Fs 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.
MCP Obsidian is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Virtual Fs 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 bitbonsai-mcp-obsidian and virtual-fs as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, MCP Obsidian has a quality signal of 73/100 (Great) with 11 views, 0 installs and 1,703 GitHub stars. Virtual Fs has 51/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 3 GitHub stars.
