Pdfmux vs PDF Reader
A side-by-side look at the Pdfmux and PDF Reader MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Pdfmux for search & data extraction work as a local process; choose PDF Reader for search & data extraction as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Pdfmux when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
Choose PDF Reader when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Search & Data Extraction | Search & Data Extraction |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 36/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | None listed |
| Verified owner |
Tools & capabilities
Pdfmux tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
PDF Reader tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from 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.
Pdfmux
{
"mcpServers": {
"nameetp-pdfmux": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"pdfmux-mcp"
]
}
}
}
PDF Reader
{
"mcpServers": {
"pdf-reader": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"pdf-insight-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Pdfmux is categorized under Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. PDF Reader belongs to Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Pdfmux for search & data extraction work and PDF Reader for search & data extraction.
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.
Pdfmux is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. PDF Reader 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 nameetp-pdfmux and pdf-reader as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Pdfmux has a quality signal of 59/100 (Good) with 5 views, 0 installs and 83 GitHub stars. PDF Reader has 36/100 (Fair) with 1 views, 0 installs and 1 GitHub stars.