Mac Use MCP vs Open Compute (computer Use)
A side-by-side look at the Mac Use MCP and Open Compute (computer Use) MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Mac Use MCP for os automation work as a local process; choose Open Compute (computer Use) for os automation as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Mac Use MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the OS Automation domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
screenshot, get_screen_info, get_cursor_position.
Choose Open Compute (computer Use) when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the OS Automation domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You want tools like
capture, do, tree.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | OS Automation | OS Automation |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 56/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | Not declared |
| Pricing | Not declared | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 7 | 1 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 18 | 16 |
| Full listing | View Mac Use MCP | View Open Compute (computer Use) |
Tools & capabilities
Mac Use MCP tools 18
screenshotCapture the screen, a region, or a window by title (PNG or JPEG)get_screen_infoGet display count, resolution, origin, and scale factor for each displayget_cursor_positionGet current cursor coordinatesclickClick at screen coordinates with button, click count, and modifier optionsmove_mouseMove the cursor to a positionscrollScroll up, down, left, or right at a positiondragDrag from one point to another over a configurable durationtype_textType text at the cursor position (supports Unicode, CJK, and emoji)press_keyPress a key or key combination (e.g., `"cmd+c"`, `"Return"`)list_windowsList all visible windows with positions and sizesfocus_windowActivate an app and bring a specific window to the frontopen_applicationLaunch an application by name- +6 more on the listing page
Open Compute (computer Use) tools 16
captureReturn one-shot observation metadata plus an image (optionally one exact window).doExecute a safety-gated action; coordinates require `observation_id` + issued window descriptor/token.treeReturn UIA elements and a one-shot observation ID for their coordinates.click_nameExact-first, ambiguity-safe click in a required issued window, with score/alternatives.invokeExact-first, click-free UIA activation in a required issued window.list_windowsList stable window/process IDs, exact titles, issued tokens, rects and centers.get_screen_sizeVirtual-desktop geometry + per-monitor breakdown (read-only).watch_dirWatch directories for file-system changes.push_statusFeed-manager status (read-only).rec_replayReplay a `.clirec` macro (needs the optional `clirec` package).signal_showShow a configurable pre-action color/text countdown, then the mode-colored overlay, with owner/session lease and bounded TTL.signal_hideHide the signal overlay.- +4 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.
Mac Use MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"mac-use-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mac-use-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Open Compute (computer Use)
{
"mcpServers": {
"open-compute-computer-use": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"open-compute-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Mac Use MCP is categorized under OS Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Open Compute (computer Use) belongs to OS Automation and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Mac Use MCP for os automation work and Open Compute (computer Use) for os automation.
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.
Mac Use MCP has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Open Compute (computer Use) has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. 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 mac-use-mcp and open-compute-computer-use as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Mac Use MCP has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 7 GitHub stars. Open Compute (computer Use) has 56/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.