MCP File Tools vs Filesystem
A side-by-side look at the MCP File Tools and Filesystem MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose MCP File Tools for file systems work; choose Filesystem for file systems as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose MCP File Tools when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
read_text_file, read_multiple_files, write_file.
Choose Filesystem when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
create_entities, create_relations, add_observations.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Systems | File Systems |
| Quality signal | 51/100 · Good | 90/100 · Excellent |
| Install command | Not confirmed yet | Confirmed |
| Transport | — | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | No auth required |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Verified |
| GitHub stars | 25 | 91,405 |
| Directory activity | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 8 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 20 | 9 |
| Full listing | View MCP File Tools | View Filesystem |
Tools & capabilities
MCP File Tools tools 20
read_text_fileread_multiple_fileswrite_fileedit_filecopy_filedelete_filelist_directorytreesearch_filesgrep_text_filesdetect_encodingconvert_encoding- +8 more on the listing page
Filesystem tools 9
create_entitiesCreate multiple new entities in the knowledge graphcreate_relationsCreate multiple new relations between entities in the knowledge graph. Relations should be in active voiceadd_observationsAdd new observations to existing entities in the knowledge graphdelete_entitiesDelete multiple entities and their associated relations from the knowledge graphdelete_observationsDelete specific observations from entities in the knowledge graphdelete_relationsDelete multiple relations from the knowledge graphread_graphRead the entire knowledge graphsearch_nodesSearch for nodes in the knowledge graph based on a queryopen_nodesOpen specific nodes in the knowledge graph by their names
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.
MCP File Tools
No confirmed install command for MCP File Tools yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Filesystem
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
MCP File Tools is categorized under File Systems and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Filesystem belongs to File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP File Tools for file systems work and Filesystem for file systems.
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. MCP File Tools has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
MCP File Tools is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Filesystem is listed as free. Auth: no auth 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 dimitar-grigorov-mcp-file-tools and filesystem as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, MCP File Tools has a quality signal of 51/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 25 GitHub stars. Filesystem has 90/100 (Excellent) with 8 views, 0 installs and 91,405 GitHub stars.
