Cataas vs Runapi AI MCP

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

Cataas logoCataasMultimedia Process · Local subprocess (stdio)CATAAS MCP — Cat as a Service (free, no auth)53GoodAuth: no auth requiredRunapi AI MCP logoRunapi AI MCPMultimedia Process · Local subprocess (stdio)Unified AI model API for 130+ models across 18 providers. Browse models, check pricing, create image/video/music/audio tasks, poll results, check balance, and call LLM endpoints. Free catalog tools work without an API key. npx @runapi.ai/mcp68GreatAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose Cataas for multimedia process work as a local process; choose Runapi AI MCP for multimedia process as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Cataas logoChoose Cataas when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Multimedia Process domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like random_cat, cat_by_tag, list_tags.
Explore Cataas

Runapi AI MCP logoChoose Runapi AI MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Multimedia Process domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You want tools like list_models, get_model_info, list_actions.
Explore Runapi AI MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecCataas logoCataasRunapi AI MCP logoRunapi AI MCP
CategoryMultimedia ProcessMultimedia Process
Quality signal53/100 · Good68/100 · Great
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredAPI key required
PricingFreeFree
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars056
Directory activity 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools39

Tools & capabilities

Cataas tools 3

  • random_catGet a random cat image. Returns image URL, cat ID, and associated tags.
  • cat_by_tagGet a random cat image matching a specific tag (e.g., 'orange', 'cute', 'sleepy'). Returns image URL, cat ID, and tags.
  • list_tagsList all available cat tags for filtering. Use tag names with cat_by_tag to find cats by appearance or behavior.

Runapi AI MCP tools 9

  • list_modelsList RunAPI models from the embedded catalog. Optional filters: modality, service, or action.
  • get_model_infoGet supported endpoint, current runtime pricing, and input constraints for a RunAPI model slug. Add service and action when the model supports multiple endpoints.
  • list_actionsList RunAPI endpoint names grouped by output modality.
  • check_pricingReturn current runtime pricing for a RunAPI model/action pair.
  • search_promptsSearch RunAPI prompt examples by modality, category, tags, text query, model, or featured status. Free, no API key required.
  • check_balanceReturn the authenticated RunAPI account balance and spending metrics.
  • create_taskRun a RunAPI operation with a caller-generated idempotency key. Asynchronous operations can optionally poll until completion.
  • get_taskFetch the current status and latest payload for an existing RunAPI task.
  • loginAuthenticate RunAPI by opening a browser PKCE login flow and saving the API key to ~/.config/runapi/config.json.

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.

Cataas

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

Runapi AI MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "runapi-ai-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@runapi.ai/mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Cataas is categorized under Multimedia Process and uses a local stdio subprocess. Runapi AI MCP belongs to Multimedia Process and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Cataas for multimedia process work and Runapi AI MCP for multimedia process.

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.

Cataas is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Runapi AI MCP is listed as free. 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 cataas and runapi-ai-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Cataas has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Runapi AI MCP has 68/100 (Great) with 5 views, 0 installs and 56 GitHub stars.