What is the key difference between Unsplash Mcp and Unsplash Mcp Server?

Unsplash Mcp belongs to the Search & Data Extraction category with local stdio execution, while Unsplash Mcp Server belongs to the Search & Data Extraction category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Unsplash Mcp or Unsplash Mcp Server in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Unsplash Mcp and Unsplash Mcp Server free or paid?

Unsplash Mcp operates under a BYOK (Pay Provider Direct) model (API Key required). Unsplash Mcp Server operates under a BYOK (Pay Provider Direct) model (API Key required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Unsplash Mcp lists 3 tools with 1 views and 16 GitHub stars. Unsplash Mcp Server lists 21 tools with 2 views and 1 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Unsplash Mcp and Unsplash Mcp Server together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

How do I install Unsplash Mcp or Unsplash Mcp Server in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Both servers follow the standard Model Context Protocol configuration format. Simply copy the JSON block from the configuration section above and paste it into your AI client's mcpServers configuration object (for instance in claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json ), then completely restart or refresh the application.

Are Unsplash Mcp and Unsplash Mcp Server free to use, or do they require API keys?

Unsplash Mcp is listed under a BYOK (Pay Provider Direct) model with API Key required . Unsplash Mcp Server operates under a BYOK (Pay Provider Direct) model with API Key required . If environment variables are required (such as API keys), be sure to define them under the env key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Can I run both Unsplash Mcp and Unsplash Mcp Server at the same time in my AI client?

Yes! MCP clients support multi-server orchestration. You can include both cevatkerim-unsplash-mcp and hanoak-unsplash-mcp-server as distinct keys inside the single mcpServers object in your configuration file. Your AI assistant will automatically select and call the appropriate tool from either server during chat sessions.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, Unsplash Mcp has a Quality Score of 53 /100 ( Good ) with 1 views, 0 installs, and 16 GitHub stars. Unsplash Mcp Server holds a Quality Score of 49 /100 ( Fair ) with 2 views, 0 installs, and 1 GitHub stars.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Unsplash Mcp vs Unsplash Mcp Server

In-depth architectural comparison of the Unsplash Mcp and Unsplash Mcp Server MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Unsplash Mcp

Search & Data Extraction · Local stdio

Quality: 53/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required

Unsplash Mcp Server

Search & Data Extraction · Local stdio

Quality: 49/100 (Fair) | Auth: API Key required

Verdict Summary: Choose Unsplash Mcp if you need specialized Search & Data Extraction tools running via a local process. Choose Unsplash Mcp Server if your workspace requires Search & Data Extraction integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Unsplash Mcp when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: API Key required (BYOK (Pay Provider Direct)).
You have access to required keys: UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY.
Primary tools included: search_photos, get_random_photos, track_download.

Explore Unsplash Mcp Details

Choose Unsplash Mcp Server when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: API Key required (BYOK (Pay Provider Direct)).
You have access to required keys: UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY, UNSPLASH_APP_NAME, UNSPLASH_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID, UNSPLASH_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET, UNSPLASH_OAUTH_REDIRECT_URI, UNSPLASH_OAUTH_REFRESH_TOKEN.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Unsplash Mcp cevatkerim Search & Data Extraction	Unsplash Mcp Server hanoak Search & Data Extraction
Summary	Unsplash photo search with proper attribution. Returns ready-to-use attribution text and HTML for each photo, making it easy for LLMs to build content pages with properly credited images. Includes search, random photos, and download tracking.	Unsplash API server exposing 21 tools across photos, search, users, collections, topics, and stats. Ships Unsplash-guideline compliance built in — ready-to-use attribution with UTM parameters, a download-tracking tool, rate-limit surfacing, and contentfilter=high by default. Install via npx -y @hanoak/unsplash-mcp-server.
Category & Scope

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Unsplash Mcp Tools (3)

search_photos

Search for photos by keyword with optional filters.

get_random_photos

Get random photos, optionally filtered by keyword.

track_download

Track a photo download (required by Unsplash API guidelines).

Unsplash Mcp Server Tools (21)

unsplash_random_photo

portrait`\

unsplash_list_photos

The latest featured photos, paginated.

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

Unsplash Mcp Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cevatkerim-unsplash-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "fastmcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY": "YOUR_UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Unsplash Mcp Server Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hanoak-unsplash-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@hanoak/unsplash-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY": "YOUR_UNSPLASH_ACCESS_KEY_HERE",
        "UNSPLASH_APP_NAME": "YOUR_UNSPLASH_APP_NAME_HERE",
        "UNSPLASH_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID": "YOUR_UNSPLASH_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID_HERE",
        "UNSPLASH_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET": "YOUR_UNSPLASH_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET_HERE",
        "UNSPLASH_OAUTH_REDIRECT_URI": "YOUR_UNSPLASH_OAUTH_REDIRECT_URI_HERE",
        "UNSPLASH_OAUTH_REFRESH_TOKEN": "YOUR_UNSPLASH_OAUTH_REFRESH_TOKEN_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Unsplash Mcp is categorized under Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Unsplash Mcp Server belongs to Search & Data Extraction using local stdio subprocess. Select Unsplash Mcp when you need capabilities focused on search & data extraction and Unsplash Mcp Server when you require tools for search & data extraction.

More alternatives to Unsplash Mcp More alternatives to Unsplash Mcp Server Search & Data Extraction category hub