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MCP Gitlab vs Github MCP Server

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

MCP Gitlab logoMCP GitlabVersion Control · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server for GitLab API — projects, MRs, pipelines, CI/CD, approvals, issues, code review.55GoodAuth: api key requiredGithub MCP Server logoGithub MCP ServerVersion Control · Remote HTTP/SSEOfficial GitHub server for integration with repository management, PRs, issues, and more.81ExcellentAuth: oauth 2.0

Verdict: choose MCP Gitlab for version control work as a local process; choose Github MCP Server for version control over a hosted endpoint. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

MCP Gitlab logoChoose MCP Gitlab when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You have the keys it needs: GITLAB_URL, GITLAB_TOKEN, GITLAB_PAT, GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN, GITLAB_API_TOKEN, MCP_READ_ONLY, GITLAB_READ_ONLY, GITLAB_AUTH.
  • You want tools like gitlab_get_project, gitlab_create_project, gitlab_delete_project.
Explore MCP Gitlab

Github MCP Server logoChoose Github MCP Server when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Version Control domain.
  • You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: OAuth 2.0.
  • You want tools like get_file_contents, getFileContents.
Explore Github MCP Server

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecMCP Gitlab logoMCP GitlabGithub MCP Server logoGithub MCP Server
CategoryVersion ControlVersion Control
Quality signal55/100 · Good81/100 · Excellent
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Remote HTTP/SSE
AuthAPI key requiredOAuth 2.0
PricingNot declaredFree
Required env varsGITLAB_URLGITLAB_TOKENGITLAB_PATGITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKENGITLAB_API_TOKENMCP_READ_ONLYGITLAB_READ_ONLYGITLAB_AUTHNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listing Verified
GitHub stars633,919
Directory activity 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 8 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools802
Full listingView MCP Gitlab View Github MCP Server

Tools & capabilities

MCP Gitlab tools 80

  • gitlab_get_projectGet project details
  • gitlab_create_projectCreate a new project
  • gitlab_delete_projectDelete a project
  • gitlab_update_project_merge_settingsUpdate merge settings
  • gitlab_get_project_approvalsGet approval config
  • gitlab_update_project_approvalsUpdate approval settings
  • gitlab_list_project_approval_rulesList approval rules
  • gitlab_create_project_approval_ruleCreate approval rule
  • gitlab_update_project_approval_ruleUpdate approval rule
  • gitlab_delete_project_approval_ruleDelete approval rule
  • gitlab_list_mr_approval_rulesList MR approval rules
  • gitlab_create_mr_approval_ruleCreate MR approval rule
  • +68 more on the listing page

Github MCP Server tools 2

  • get_file_contents
  • getFileContents

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.

MCP Gitlab

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-gitlab-2": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-gitlab"
      ],
      "env": {
        "GITLAB_URL": "YOUR_GITLAB_URL_HERE",
        "GITLAB_TOKEN": "YOUR_GITLAB_TOKEN_HERE",
        "GITLAB_PAT": "YOUR_GITLAB_PAT_HERE",
        "GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "YOUR_GITLAB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN_HERE",
        "GITLAB_API_TOKEN": "YOUR_GITLAB_API_TOKEN_HERE",
        "MCP_READ_ONLY": "YOUR_MCP_READ_ONLY_HERE",
        "GITLAB_READ_ONLY": "YOUR_GITLAB_READ_ONLY_HERE",
        "GITLAB_AUTH": "YOUR_GITLAB_AUTH_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Github MCP Server

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github-github-mcp-server": {
      "url": "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/"
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

MCP Gitlab is categorized under Version Control and uses a local stdio subprocess. Github MCP Server belongs to Version Control and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Pick MCP Gitlab for version control work and Github MCP Server for version control.

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.

MCP Gitlab has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Auth: api key required. Github MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: oauth 2.0. 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 mcp-gitlab-2 and github-github-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, MCP Gitlab has a quality signal of 55/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars. Github MCP Server has 81/100 (Excellent) with 8 views, 0 installs and 33,919 GitHub stars.

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