Filesystem vs Math
A side-by-side look at the Filesystem and Math MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Filesystem for file systems work as a local process; choose Math for data science tools. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
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
path, head, tail.
Choose Math when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Data Science Tools domain.
- You want tools like
calculate, convert_units, statistics.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | File Systems | Data Science Tools |
| Quality signal | 85/100 · Excellent | 37/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Not confirmed yet |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | — |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Verified | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 91,512 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 10 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 17 | 5 |
| Full listing | View Filesystem | View Math |
Tools & capabilities
Filesystem tools 17
pathheadtailpathscontenteditsoldTextnewTextdryRunsortBysourcedestination- +5 more on the listing page
Math tools 5
calculateEvaluate math expressions safely (no `eval`). Supports arithmetic operators (`+`, `-`, `*`, `/`, `^`, `%`), parentheses, functions (`sqrt`, `abs`, `floor`, `ceil`, `round`, `log`, `ln`, `sin`, `cos`, `tan`, `min`, `max`, `pow`), constants (`pi`, `e`), and named variables.convert_unitsConvert between units across six categories:statisticsStatistical analysis on datasets: mean, median, mode, variance, standard deviation, min, max, range, percentile, correlation between two arrays, and a full summary mode.format_numberFormat numbers as: currency (`$1,234.56`), percentage, scientific notation, binary, octal, hexadecimal, significant figures, or with thousands separators.percentage_calcCommon percentage operations: X% of Y, what percent X is of Y, percentage change between two values, tip calculator, discount calculator, and markup calculator.
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.
Filesystem
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem"
]
}
}
}
Math
No confirmed install command for Math yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Frequently asked questions
Filesystem is categorized under File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Math belongs to Data Science Tools and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Filesystem for file systems work and Math for data science 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. Math has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
Filesystem is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Math 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 filesystem and math as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Filesystem has a quality signal of 85/100 (Excellent) with 10 views, 0 installs and 91,512 GitHub stars. Math has 37/100 (Fair) with 1 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.