MCP Upload vs Markitdown

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

MCP Upload logoMCP UploadFile Systems · Local subprocess (stdio)Public file storage for AI agents. Upload files and get a permalink back.45FairAuth: not declaredMarkitdown logoMarkitdownFile Systems · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP tool access to MarkItDown -- a library that converts many file formats (local or remote) to Markdown for LLM consumption.67GreatAuth: no auth required

Verdict: choose MCP Upload for file systems work as a local process; choose Markitdown for file systems as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

MCP Upload logoChoose MCP Upload when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You have the keys it needs: OBJEKT_API_KEY.
  • You want tools like upload_file, upload_from_sandbox, get_file.
Explore MCP Upload

Markitdown logoChoose Markitdown when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
  • You want tools like convert_to_markdown.
Explore Markitdown

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecMCP Upload logoMCP UploadMarkitdown logoMarkitdown
CategoryFile SystemsFile Systems
Quality signal45/100 · Fair67/100 · Great
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNot declaredNo auth required
PricingNot declaredFree
Required env varsOBJEKT_API_KEYNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars0191,245
Directory activity 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools41

Tools & capabilities

MCP Upload tools 4

  • upload_fileUpload by host path or inline content
  • upload_from_sandboxReturns curl command for sandbox uploads
  • get_fileGet file metadata and permalink
  • get_pricingCurrent storage tier pricing

Markitdown tools 1

  • convert_to_markdownConvert a resource described by an http:, https:, file: or data: URI to markdown

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 Upload

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-upload": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@objekt.sh/mcp-upload"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OBJEKT_API_KEY": "YOUR_OBJEKT_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Markitdown

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "microsoft-markitdown": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "markitdown-ocr"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

MCP Upload is categorized under File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Markitdown belongs to File Systems and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP Upload for file systems work and Markitdown for file systems.

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 Upload has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Markitdown is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. 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-upload and microsoft-markitdown as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, MCP Upload has a quality signal of 45/100 (Fair) with 1 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars. Markitdown has 67/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 191,245 GitHub stars.