What is the key difference between Opnsense MCP and MCP Shodan?

Opnsense MCP belongs to the Security category with local stdio execution, while MCP Shodan belongs to the Security category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Opnsense MCP or MCP Shodan 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 Opnsense MCP and MCP Shodan free or paid?

Opnsense MCP operates under a Free / Open Source model (API Key required). MCP Shodan operates under a BYOK (Pay Provider Direct) model (API Key required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Opnsense MCP lists 6 tools with 4 views and 10 GitHub stars. MCP Shodan lists 22 tools with 4 views and 173 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Opnsense MCP and MCP Shodan 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.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Opnsense MCP vs MCP Shodan

In-depth architectural comparison of the Opnsense MCP and MCP Shodan 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

Opnsense MCP

Security · Local stdio

Quality: 47/100 (Fair) | Auth: API Key required

MCP Shodan

Security · Local stdio

Quality: 67/100 (Great) | Auth: API Key required

Verdict Summary: Choose Opnsense MCP if you need specialized Security tools running via a local process. Choose MCP Shodan if your workspace requires Security integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Opnsense MCP when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: API Key required (Free / Open Source).
You have access to required keys: OPNSENSE_API_KEY, OPNSENSE_API_SECRET, OPNSENSE_FIREWALL_HOST, MCP_SECRET_KEY.
Primary tools included: OPNsense API access over MCP, STDIO and SSE deployment modes, Streamable HTTP support.

Explore Opnsense MCP Details

Choose MCP Shodan when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Security 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: SHODAN_API_KEY.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Opnsense MCP coreyhines Security	MCP Shodan BurtTheCoder Security
Summary	OPNsense firewall operations via API. Query ARP, DHCP, firewall rules, logs, interfaces, system status, and packet capture via STDIO or SSE.	MCP server for querying the Shodan API and Shodan CVEDB. This server provides tools for IP lookups, device searches, DNS lookups, vulnerability queries, CPE lookups, and more.
Category & Scope	Security

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Opnsense MCP Tools (6)

OPNsense API access over MCP

STDIO and SSE deployment modes

Streamable HTTP support

Firewall rule inspection and mutation

ARP, DHCP, LLDP, log, and interface queries

Packet capture and system monitoring

MCP Shodan Tools (22)

ip_lookup

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).

Opnsense MCP Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "coreyhines-opnsense-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "coreyhines-opnsense-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OPNSENSE_API_KEY": "YOUR_OPNSENSE_API_KEY_HERE",
        "OPNSENSE_API_SECRET": "YOUR_OPNSENSE_API_SECRET_HERE",
        "OPNSENSE_FIREWALL_HOST": "YOUR_OPNSENSE_FIREWALL_HOST_HERE",
        "MCP_SECRET_KEY": "YOUR_MCP_SECRET_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

MCP Shodan Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "burtthecoder-mcp-shodan": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@burtthecoder/mcp-shodan"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SHODAN_API_KEY": "YOUR_SHODAN_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Opnsense MCP is categorized under Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, MCP Shodan belongs to Security using local stdio subprocess. Select Opnsense MCP when you need capabilities focused on security and MCP Shodan when you require tools for security.

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