Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison
Chartforge vs Markmap MCP Server
In-depth architectural comparison of the Chartforge and Markmap 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
Chartforge
Data Visualization · Local stdio
Quality: 49/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required
Markmap MCP Server
Data Visualization · Local stdio
Quality: 68/100 (Great) | Auth: No auth required
Verdict Summary: Choose Chartforge if you need specialized Data Visualization tools running via a local process. Choose Markmap MCP Server if your workspace requires Data Visualization integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's
mcpServers manifest.Which MCP Server Should You Choose?
Choose Chartforge when:
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Data Visualization domain.
- You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
- Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
- Primary tools included: generate_chart, refine_chart, list_styles.
Choose Markmap MCP Server when:
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Data Visualization domain.
- You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
- Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
- Primary tools included: markdown_to_mindmap, list_mindmaps, get_mindmap.
Feature & Specification Comparison
Tools & Capabilities Breakdown
Chartforge Tools (3)
generate_chart
Generate a chart from a natural language description.
refine_chart
Modify a previously generated chart.
list_styles
List available style presets with descriptions.
Markmap MCP Server Tools (4)
markdown_to_mindmap
Convert structured Markdown (headings # and nested lists -) into an interactive mind map HTML file, with optional server-side PNG/JPG/SVG export.
Use when the user wants a visual mind map/outline of structured content (architecture, plans, notes, hierarchies), or asks to visualize / mindmap / diagram. Do not use for flat unstructured text (restructure first), or to list/read existing outputs (use list_mindmaps / get_mindmap).
Behavior:
- WRITES files under the configured output dir. HTML is always written; image formats write an extra file. Reusing filename overwrites.
- html is fast (<1s). png/svg/jpg launch headless Chromium via Playwright (5–15s; requires: npm install playwright && npx playwright install chromium).
- Local only — no external APIs or third-party keys. Open mode=never: The server never opens the browser.
- Offline=false (server config).
Response:
- JSON {"htmlFilePath":"<path>","filePath":"<path>"} — htmlFilePath is always the HTML source; filePath is the primary artifact (HTML or image).
- Return mode=path: Paths JSON only — no inline content.
- Errors: isError:true with {"error","message"}.
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).
Chartforge Configuration
Markmap MCP Server Configuration
Frequently Asked Questions
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