What is the key difference between Steam MCP and Steam Trends API?

Steam MCP belongs to the Gaming category with local stdio execution, while Steam Trends API belongs to the Gaming category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Steam MCP or Steam Trends API in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Steam MCP and Steam Trends API free or paid?

Steam MCP operates under a Free / Open Source model (API Key required). Steam Trends API operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Steam MCP lists 5 tools with 3 views and 5 GitHub stars. Steam Trends API lists 6 tools with 1 views and 0 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Steam MCP and Steam Trends API together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Steam MCP vs Steam Trends API

In-depth architectural comparison of the Steam MCP and Steam Trends API 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.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Steam MCP

Gaming · Local stdio

Quality: 53/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required

Steam Trends API

Gaming · Local stdio

Quality: 36/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose Steam MCP if you need specialized Gaming tools running via a local process. Choose Steam Trends API if your workspace requires Gaming integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

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.
Primary tools included: get_library, get_recently_played, search_library.

Explore Steam MCP Details

Choose Steam Trends API 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: TRENDSAPI_KEY.
Primary tools included: Monthly Steam trend history, Preset and custom growth windows, Live most-played rankings.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Steam MCP jkiley129 Gaming	Steam Trends API Gaming
Summary	Connect Claude to your Steam library. Query your games, playtime, recently played, and store metadata via natural language.	Steam concurrent player trends for any game over time. Free key at trendsapi.ai
Category & Scope	Gaming	Gaming

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Steam MCP Tools (5)

get_library

Your full game library — title, playtime, last played

get_recently_played

Games played in the last 2 weeks

search_library

Filter by name, playtime range, or unplayed status

get_game_details

Store metadata — genres, tags, Metacritic score, price

refresh_library

Clear the cache to fetch fresh data from Steam

Steam Trends API Tools (6)

Monthly Steam trend history

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).

Steam MCP Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "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 Trends API Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "steam-trends-api-2": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "trendsapi-steam"
      ],
      "env": {
        "TRENDSAPI_KEY": "YOUR_TRENDSAPI_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Steam MCP is categorized under Gaming and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Steam Trends API belongs to Gaming using local stdio subprocess. Select Steam MCP when you need capabilities focused on gaming and Steam Trends API when you require tools for gaming.

More alternatives to Steam MCP More alternatives to Steam Trends API Gaming category hub