Hub MCP vs Docker MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the Hub MCP and Docker MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Hub MCP for developer tools work over a hosted endpoint; choose Docker MCP Server for developer tools as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Hub MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
HUB_PAT_TOKEN, MCP_AUTH_TOKEN. - You want tools like
search, query, architectures.
Choose Docker MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
docker_container, docker_container_control, docker_compose.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Developer Tools | Developer Tools |
| Quality signal | 77/100 · Great | 59/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Remote HTTP/SSE | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | HUB_PAT_TOKENMCP_AUTH_TOKEN |
Tools & capabilities
Hub MCP tools 35
searchSearch repositories and content using Search V4 APIquerySearch query parameter (string, required)architecturesFilter on architectures (string, optional)badgesFilter by image content type badges (string, optional)categoriesFilter on categories (string, optional)extension_reviewedFilter on reviewed extensions (boolean, optional)fromNumber of documents to skip for pagination (number, optional)imagesFilter on image names (string, optional)operating_systemsFilter on operating systems (string, optional)orderChange the ordering of results (string, optional)sizeMaximum number of results to return (number, optional)sortSort results by search field (string, optional)- +23 more on the listing page
Docker MCP Server tools 10
docker_containerLists the containers of a project with their state, health and published ports, or measures with stats what one service consumes right now. A project name no container carries is refused with the names that exist, so an empty list means the host itself runs nothing under compose. Moving a container between states is docker_container_control.docker_container_controlMoves one service between states — start, stop, restart — and reports where it stood before and where it stands now, with changed saying whether the call did anything at all. A stop that ran out of time comes back killed with its exit code, never as a clean stop. The whole stack at once is docker_compose_control.
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.
Hub MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"docker-hub-mcp": {
"url": "https://docs.docker.com/ai/gordon/mcp/yaml/"
}
}
}
Docker MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"docker-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@hypnosis/docker-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Hub MCP is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Docker MCP Server belongs to Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Hub MCP for developer tools work and Docker MCP Server for developer tools.
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.
Hub MCP is listed as free. Auth: api key required. Docker MCP Server has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. 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 docker-hub-mcp and docker-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Hub MCP has a quality signal of 77/100 (Great) with 37 views, 0 installs and 170 GitHub stars. Docker MCP Server has 59/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.