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GitLab API MCP vs Gitlab MCP

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

GitLab API MCP logoGitLab API MCPVersion Control · Remote HTTP/SSEGitLab MCP Server and Python API Wrapper40FairAuth: not declaredGitlab MCP logoGitlab MCPVersion ControlGitLab MCP server for projects, merge requests, issues, pipelines, wiki, releases, and more.36FairAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose GitLab API MCP for version control work over a hosted endpoint; choose Gitlab MCP for version control. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

GitLab API MCP logoChoose GitLab API MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
  • You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
Explore GitLab API MCP

Gitlab MCP logoChoose 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, GITLAB_PERMISSION_MODE.
Explore Gitlab MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecGitLab API MCP logoGitLab API MCPGitlab MCP logoGitlab MCP
CategoryVersion ControlVersion Control
Quality signal40/100 · Fair36/100 · Fair
Install commandConfirmedNot confirmed yet
TransportRemote HTTP/SSE—
AuthNot declaredAPI key required
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedGITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKENGITLAB_API_URLGITLAB_PERMISSION_MODE
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars102,053
Directory activity 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
ToolsNot listedNot listed
Full listingView GitLab API MCP View Gitlab MCP

Tools & capabilities

GitLab API MCP tools

No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.

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.

GitLab API MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gitlab-api": {
      "url": "http://localhost:8000/gitlab-mcp/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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

GitLab API MCP is categorized under Version Control and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Gitlab MCP belongs to Version Control and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick GitLab API MCP 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.

GitLab API MCP is listed as free. 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 gitlab-api and gitlab-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, GitLab API MCP has a quality signal of 40/100 (Fair) with 1 views, 0 installs and 10 GitHub stars. Gitlab MCP has 36/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 2,053 GitHub stars.

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