Homebutler vs Tickstem MCP

A side-by-side look at the Homebutler and Tickstem MCP 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 requiredTickstem MCP logoTickstem MCPMonitoring · Local subprocess (stdio)HTTP uptime monitoring, heartbeat (dead-man's switch) monitoring, cron job scheduling, and email verification. Single API key, per-tool quota tracking. Install: go install github.com/tickstem/mcp/cmd/tsk-mcp@latest.55GoodAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose Homebutler for monitoring work as a local process; choose Tickstem MCP 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

Tickstem MCP logoChoose Tickstem MCP 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: TICKSTEM_API_KEY, TICKSTEM_BASE_URL.
  • You want tools like list_jobs, get_job, register_job.
Explore Tickstem MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecHomebutler logoHomebutlerTickstem MCP logoTickstem MCP
CategoryMonitoringMonitoring
Quality signal71/100 · Great55/100 · Good
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredAPI key required
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedTICKSTEM_API_KEYTICKSTEM_BASE_URL
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars3052
Directory activity 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools4026

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

Tickstem MCP tools 26

  • list_jobsList all cron jobs in the account
  • get_jobGet a cron job by ID
  • register_jobRegister a new cron job (name, schedule, endpoint)
  • update_jobUpdate an existing job — only provided fields change
  • pause_jobPause a job so it no longer fires
  • resume_jobResume a paused or failing job
  • delete_jobPermanently delete a job and its execution history
  • list_executionsList execution history for a job, most recent first
  • list_monitorsList all monitors — status, URL, interval, SSL expiry, assertions
  • create_monitorCreate a monitor with optional response assertions (status code, response time, body)
  • get_monitorGet a monitor by ID
  • pause_monitorPause a monitor so it stops polling
  • +14 more on 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"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Tickstem MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tickstem-mcp": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "tickstem"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TICKSTEM_API_KEY": "YOUR_TICKSTEM_API_KEY_HERE",
        "TICKSTEM_BASE_URL": "YOUR_TICKSTEM_BASE_URL_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Homebutler is categorized under Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. Tickstem MCP belongs to Monitoring and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Homebutler for monitoring work and Tickstem MCP 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. Tickstem 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 higangssh-homebutler and tickstem-mcp 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 305 GitHub stars. Tickstem MCP has 55/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 2 GitHub stars.