Steam MCP vs Steam Local MCP

In-depth architectural comparison of the Steam MCP and Steam Local MCP MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Steam MCP when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Gaming domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: API Key required (Free / Open Source).
• You have access to required keys: STEAM_API_KEY, STEAM_ID, STEAM_MCP_CACHE_DIR.
• Primary tools included: get_library, get_recently_played, search_library.

Explore Steam MCP Details

Choose Steam Local MCP when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Gaming domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
• You have access to required keys: STEAM_API_KEY.
• Primary tools included: Local game discovery, launch, and install-status tools — no API key needed, Library storage reporting across all configured Steam libraries, Public Store search and game details (price, genres, Metacritic score).

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Steam MCP jkiley129 Gaming	Steam Local MCP Gaming
Summary	Connect Claude to your Steam library. Query your games, playtime, recently played, and store metadata via natural language.	A Windows Steam MCP server with local client controls and optional Steam Web API insights.
Category & Scope	Gaming	Gaming

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jkiley129-steam-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "steam-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "STEAM_API_KEY": "YOUR_STEAM_API_KEY_HERE",
        "STEAM_ID": "YOUR_STEAM_ID_HERE",
        "STEAM_MCP_CACHE_DIR": "YOUR_STEAM_MCP_CACHE_DIR_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "steam-local-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "steam-local-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "STEAM_API_KEY": "YOUR_STEAM_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

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