Github MCP Server vs GitHub (read Only)
A side-by-side look at the Github MCP Server and GitHub (read Only) MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Github MCP Server for version control work over a hosted endpoint; choose GitHub (read Only) for version control as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Github MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
- You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
- Its auth model fits you: OAuth 2.0.
- You have the keys it needs:
GITHUB_OAUTH_CALLBACK_PORT. - You want tools like
get_file_contents, getFileContents.
Choose GitHub (read Only) when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Version Control | Version Control |
| Quality signal | 81/100 · Excellent | 33/100 · Emerging |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Remote HTTP/SSE | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | OAuth 2.0 | API key required |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | GITHUB_OAUTH_CALLBACK_PORT | None listed |
| Verified owner | Verified | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 33,660 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 2 | Not listed |
| Full listing | View Github MCP Server | View GitHub (read Only) |
Tools & capabilities
Github MCP Server tools 2
get_file_contentsgetFileContents
GitHub (read Only) tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
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.
Github MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"github-github-mcp-server": {
"url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
}
}
}
GitHub (read Only)
{
"mcpServers": {
"github-read-only": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--from",
"git+https://github.com/AbdulMuhaiminKhan/github-mcp",
"github-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Github MCP Server is categorized under Version Control and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. GitHub (read Only) belongs to Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Github MCP Server for version control work and GitHub (read Only) for version control.
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.
Github MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: oauth 2.0. GitHub (read Only) has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Auth: api key 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 github-github-mcp-server and github-read-only as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Github MCP Server has a quality signal of 81/100 (Excellent) with 6 views, 0 installs and 33,660 GitHub stars. GitHub (read Only) has 33/100 (Emerging) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.