Homebutler vs Llmkit

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

Homebutler logoHomebutlerMonitoring · Local subprocess (stdio)All-in-one homelab management MCP server. Monitor system resources, manage Docker containers, Wake-on-LAN, scan networks, check open ports, and run alerts — across multiple servers via SSH. Single 10MB binary, zero dependencies.71GreatAuth: no auth requiredLlmkit logoLlmkitMonitoring · Local subprocess (stdio)AI API cost tracking and budget enforcement across 11 LLM providers. 6 tools for spend analytics, budget monitoring, session summaries, and key management.56GoodAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose Homebutler for monitoring work as a local process; choose Llmkit for monitoring as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Homebutler logoChoose Homebutler when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Monitoring domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like proxmox_status, proxmox_guests, proxmox_node.
Explore Homebutler

Llmkit logoChoose Llmkit when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Monitoring domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You have the keys it needs: LLMKIT_API_KEY.
Explore Llmkit

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecHomebutler logoHomebutlerLlmkit logoLlmkit
CategoryMonitoringMonitoring
Quality signal71/100 · Great56/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredAPI key required
PricingFreeFreemium
Required env varsNone listedLLMKIT_API_KEY
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars30416
Directory activity 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools40Not listed

Tools & capabilities

Homebutler tools 40

  • proxmox_statusGet Proxmox VE version, cluster status, and resources
  • proxmox_guestsList Proxmox QEMU and LXC guests, optionally filtered by node, status, or type
  • proxmox_nodeGet detailed Proxmox node status
  • proxmox_tasksGet the 50 most recent Proxmox tasks for a node
  • system_statusGet system status including CPU, memory, disk usage, and uptime
  • proxmox_guest_startStart one explicitly targeted Proxmox guest after confirmation and return the accepted task UPID
  • proxmox_guest_rebootReboot one explicitly targeted Proxmox guest after confirmation and return the accepted task UPID
  • proxmox_guest_shutdownGracefully shut down one explicitly targeted Proxmox guest after confirmation and return the accepted task UPID
  • proxmox_task_statusInspect one asynchronous Proxmox task by node and opaque UPID
  • proxmox_script_listList the curated Proxmox VE Community Scripts catalog (community-scripts/ProxmoxVE)
  • proxmox_script_commandRender the pinned install command for one Proxmox VE Community Script. Never fetches or runs it; the caller reviews and runs it themselves on the Proxmox host
  • docker_listList Docker containers with their status, image, and ports
  • +28 more on the listing page

Llmkit 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.

Homebutler

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "higangssh-homebutler": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "homebutler@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Llmkit

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smigolsmigol-llmkit": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@f3d1/llmkit-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "LLMKIT_API_KEY": "YOUR_LLMKIT_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Homebutler is categorized under Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. Llmkit belongs to Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Homebutler for monitoring work and Llmkit for monitoring.

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.

Homebutler is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Llmkit is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. 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 higangssh-homebutler and smigolsmigol-llmkit as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Homebutler has a quality signal of 71/100 (Great) with 4 views, 0 installs and 304 GitHub stars. Llmkit has 56/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 16 GitHub stars.