In-depth architectural comparison of the Apitier MCP Server and Open Corporates 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
Apitier MCP Server
Developer Tools · Local stdio
Quality: 48/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required
Open Corporates
Developer Tools · Local stdio
Quality: 44/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required
Verdict Summary: Choose Apitier MCP Server if you need specialized Developer Tools tools running via a local process. Choose Open Corporates if your workspace requires Developer Tools integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.
Which MCP Server Should You Choose?
Choose Apitier MCP Server when:
You need dedicated capabilities in the Developer Tools domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
Full UK business onboarding check in one call.** Validates VAT, verifies Companies House, retrieves PSC (beneficial owners), and confirms the registered address. Returns `PASS / REVIEW / FAIL`, a risk score, and the full data bundle. Requires `postcode` + `vat` + `leadAgent` subscriptions.
verify_uk_address
Verify a UK address against Royal Mail PAF — returns canonical address, UPRN, UDPRN, and per-delivery-point geocode
lookup_uprn
Look up a full AddressBase record by UDPRN — returns UPRN, PAF canonical address, coordinates. Use UDPRN from `verify_uk_address
lookup_uk_postcode
UK postcode → full PAF address list + district, ward, county, country, and geocode
verify_uk_company
Look up a UK company on Companies House by name or number — status, address, SIC codes, filing health
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).
Apitier MCP Server is categorized under Developer Tools and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Open Corporates belongs to Developer Tools using local stdio subprocess. Select Apitier MCP Server when you need capabilities focused on developer tools and Open Corporates when you require tools for developer tools.
Persons with Significant Control register for a UK company — required for AML beneficial ownership checks
validate_sort_code
Validate a UK sort code and optionally a bank account number (Vocalink modulus check). No API key required.
validate_vat
Validate UK and EU VAT numbers — checks HMRC for GB numbers, EU VIES for all other country prefixes. Returns registered business name and address. Accepts any country prefix (e.g. `GB123456789`, `DE123456789`, `FR12345678901`).
validate_email
Validate email — syntax, MX, SMTP reachability, disposable domain check. Works for any email address globally.
validate_phone
Validate and parse phone numbers — accepts any international format, returns country, carrier, and line type.
lookup_india_pincode
Indian PIN code → state / district / town
generate_barcode
Generate barcode image (Code128, EAN-13, UPC, and more)
+2 more tools listed on main page
Open Corporates Tools (3)
search_companies
Search global company registries by name across 140+ jurisdictions. Returns company name, jurisdiction, status, type, incorporation date, and registered address. REQUIRES your own OpenCorporates API token via _apiKey — their public API is closed and keyless calls return 401. For keyless global comp…
get_company
Get full details for a specific company by jurisdiction and company number. Returns registration details, officers, filings, and industry codes. REQUIRES your own OpenCorporates API token via _apiKey — their public API is closed and keyless calls return 401. Example: get_company({jurisdiction:"us_d…
search_officers
Search company officers and directors by name. Returns officer name, position, company, start/end dates, and nationality. REQUIRES your own OpenCorporates API token via _apiKey — their public API is closed and keyless calls return 401. Example: search_officers({query:"Elon Musk", _apiKey:"..."})