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