Github MCP vs Atlassian MCP Server

A side-by-side look at the Github MCP and Atlassian MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.

Github MCP logoGithub MCPVersion Control · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server for the GitHub REST API: issues, PRs, repos; read always on, write env-gated.51GoodAuth: not declaredAtlassian MCP Server logoAtlassian MCP ServerVersion Control · Remote HTTP/SSEOfficial remote MCP server for Atlassian. Securely connect Jira, Confluence, Jira Service Management, Bitbucket, and Compass to Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, VS Code, and other AI tools using OAuth 2.1 or API tokens.80ExcellentAuth: other

Verdict: choose Github MCP for version control work as a local process; choose Atlassian MCP Server for version control over a hosted endpoint. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Github MCP logoChoose Github MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You have the keys it needs: GITHUB_MCP_ENABLE_WRITE, GITHUB_TOKEN.
  • You want tools like get_repo, list_issues, get_issue.
Explore Github MCP

Atlassian MCP Server logoChoose Atlassian MCP Server when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
  • You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: other.
Explore Atlassian MCP Server

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecGithub MCP logoGithub MCPAtlassian MCP Server logoAtlassian MCP Server
CategoryVersion ControlVersion Control
Quality signal51/100 · Good80/100 · Excellent
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Remote HTTP/SSE
AuthNot declaredother
PricingNot declaredFree
Required env varsGITHUB_MCP_ENABLE_WRITEGITHUB_TOKENNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listing Verified
GitHub stars01,120
Directory activity 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 9 views 0 installs 1 upvotes
Tools14Not listed

Tools & capabilities

Github MCP tools 14

  • get_repoRepo metadata (stars, language, license, default branch, archived flag...)
  • list_issuesList issues on a repo (PRs filtered out)
  • get_issueFetch a single issue
  • list_pull_requestsList pull requests on a repo
  • get_pull_requestFetch a single pull request
  • get_file_contentRead a repo file's content (base64-decoded, binary detected not decoded)
  • search_reposSearch public repositories
  • get_userPublic user/org profile
  • list_commitsList commits on a branch/ref
  • create_issueOpen an issue
  • comment_on_issueComment on an issue/PR
  • update_issue_stateOpen/close an issue
  • +2 more on the listing page

Atlassian MCP Server 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

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "jaimenbell-github-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_MCP_ENABLE_WRITE": "YOUR_GITHUB_MCP_ENABLE_WRITE_HERE",
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "YOUR_GITHUB_TOKEN_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Atlassian MCP Server

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "atlassian-mcp-server": {
      "url": "https://mcp.atlassian.com/v2/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Github MCP is categorized under Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Atlassian MCP Server belongs to Version Control and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Pick Github MCP for version control work and Atlassian MCP Server 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 has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Atlassian MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: other. 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-mcp and atlassian-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Github MCP has a quality signal of 51/100 (Good) with 5 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Atlassian MCP Server has 80/100 (Excellent) with 9 views, 0 installs and 1,120 GitHub stars.