Canvas API MCP vs Moodle MCP Server Aql
A side-by-side look at the Canvas API MCP and Moodle MCP Server Aql MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Canvas API MCP for education work as a local process; choose Moodle MCP Server Aql for education as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Canvas API MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
CANVAS_BASE_URL, CANVAS_TOKEN. - You want tools like
whoami, get_calendar_feed_url, my_courses.
Choose Moodle MCP Server Aql when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Education domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
MOODLE_URL, MOODLE_TOKEN. - You want tools like
list_courses, get_course, list_course_users.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Education | Education |
| Quality signal | 49/100 · Fair | 56/100 · 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 | CANVAS_BASE_URLCANVAS_TOKEN | MOODLE_URLMOODLE_TOKEN |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 3 | 1 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 16 | 10 |
| Full listing | View Canvas API MCP | View Moodle MCP Server Aql |
Tools & capabilities
Canvas API MCP tools 16
whoamiIdentity and your role in each courseget_calendar_feed_urlYour private calendar `.ics` link (only when you ask for it)my_coursesActive courses with code, term, rolewhats_dueEverything due, soonest firstmy_gradesCurrent score per courselist_assignmentsA course's assignments and submission stateget_assignmentOne assignment in full, with rubricmy_submissionYour submission, score, and feedbackcourse_announcementsRecent announcementscourse_contentModules and their contentslist_filesFiles in a courseread_fileExtract text from PDF/DOCX/PPTX/text- +4 more on the listing page
Moodle MCP Server Aql tools 10
list_coursesFull course catalog with category drill-downget_courseDetail view for any courselist_course_usersEnrolled users with roles and access data (now supports course name search with interactive selection)list_assignmentsAll assignments with due dateslist_categoriesFull hierarchy with exact parent resolutionget_site_infoInstance overview — site name, version, course countget_userDetail view for a Moodle userlist_user_coursesCourses for a specific usersearch_usersUser search by standard Moodle identity fieldssearch_courses_by_nameSearch for courses by name with partial matching and interactive selection
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.
Canvas API MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"canvas-api-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"canvas-api-mcp"
],
"env": {
"CANVAS_BASE_URL": "YOUR_CANVAS_BASE_URL_HERE",
"CANVAS_TOKEN": "YOUR_CANVAS_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Moodle MCP Server Aql
{
"mcpServers": {
"moodle-mcp-server-aql": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"moodle-mcp-server-aql"
],
"env": {
"MOODLE_URL": "YOUR_MOODLE_URL_HERE",
"MOODLE_TOKEN": "YOUR_MOODLE_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Canvas API MCP is categorized under Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Moodle MCP Server Aql belongs to Education and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Canvas API MCP for education work and Moodle MCP Server Aql for education.
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.
Canvas API MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Moodle MCP Server Aql 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 canvas-api-mcp and moodle-mcp-server-aql as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Canvas API MCP has a quality signal of 49/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 3 GitHub stars. Moodle MCP Server Aql has 56/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.