Github Private vs Gitlab MCP
A side-by-side look at the Github Private and Gitlab MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Github Private for version control work as a local process; choose Gitlab MCP for version control. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Github Private when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
gh_list_repos, gh_get_repo, gh_list_issues.
Choose Gitlab MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN, GITLAB_API_URL.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Version Control | Version Control |
| Quality signal | 60/100 · Good | 36/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Not confirmed yet |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | — |
| Auth | Not declared | API key required |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKENGITLAB_API_URL |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 0 | 2,061 |
| Directory activity | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 6 | Not listed |
| Full listing | View Github Private | View Gitlab MCP |
Tools & capabilities
Github Private tools 6
gh_list_reposList all your repositories including private ones. Returns repo names, URLs, descriptions, language, stars, and last update time.gh_get_repoGet detailed info for a specific repository. Returns description, language, stars, forks, open issues, default branch, and access level.gh_list_issuesList issues in a repository. Specify owner and repo name (e.g., owner='octocat', repo='Hello-World'). Returns titles, numbers, status, assignees, and labels.gh_list_pullsList pull requests in a repository. Specify owner and repo name (e.g., owner='octocat', repo='Hello-World'). Returns titles, numbers, status, reviewers, and merge state.gh_list_orgsList organizations you're a member of. Returns org names, URLs, and your role (owner, member, etc.).gh_get_fileGet file contents from a repository. Specify owner, repo name, and file path (e.g., 'README.md'). Returns raw content and metadata.
Gitlab MCP 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 Private
{
"mcpServers": {
"github-private": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pipeworx/mcp-github_private"
]
}
}
}
Gitlab MCP
No confirmed install command for Gitlab MCP yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Frequently asked questions
Github Private is categorized under Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Gitlab MCP belongs to Version Control and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick Github Private for version control work and Gitlab MCP 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. Gitlab MCP has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
Github Private has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Gitlab MCP 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-private and gitlab-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Github Private has a quality signal of 60/100 (Good) with 4 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Gitlab MCP has 36/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 2,061 GitHub stars.