Markitdown vs Putput MCP

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

Markitdown 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 requiredPutput MCP logoPutput MCPFile Systems · Local subprocess (stdio)File uploads for AI agents. Upload, list, and manage files. No signup required.49FairAuth: not declared

Verdict: choose Markitdown for file systems work as a local process; choose Putput MCP 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?

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

Putput MCP logoChoose Putput MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the File Systems domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • You want tools like upload_file, list_files, delete_file.
Explore Putput MCP

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecMarkitdown logoMarkitdownPutput MCP logoPutput MCP
CategoryFile SystemsFile Systems
Quality signal67/100 · Great49/100 · Fair
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredNot declared
PricingFreeNot declared
Required env varsNone listedNone listed
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars191,2451
Directory activity 6 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
Tools14

Tools & capabilities

Markitdown tools 1

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

Putput MCP tools 4

  • upload_fileUpload a file from a URL to PutPut and get a CDN link back
  • list_filesList uploaded files with optional prefix filter and pagination
  • delete_fileDelete a file by ID
  • get_file_infoGet file details, stats, and download URL

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.

Markitdown

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

Putput MCP

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "putput-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@putput/mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

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

Markitdown is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Putput MCP 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 microsoft-markitdown and putput-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Markitdown has a quality signal of 67/100 (Great) with 6 views, 0 installs and 191,245 GitHub stars. Putput MCP has 49/100 (Fair) with 1 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.