Project MCP vs MCP Obsidian

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

Project MCP logoProject MCPKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)Intent-based search over a project's documentation and todo files for AI agents. Local stdio server.48FairAuth: no auth requiredMCP Obsidian logoMCP ObsidianKnowledge & Memory · Local subprocess (stdio)MCP server that interacts with Obsidian via the Obsidian rest API community plugin48FairAuth: api key required

Verdict: choose Project MCP for knowledge & memory work as a local process; choose MCP Obsidian for knowledge & memory as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.

Which MCP server should you choose?

Project MCP logoChoose Project MCP when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
Explore Project MCP

MCP Obsidian logoChoose MCP Obsidian when

  • You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
  • You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
  • Its auth model fits you: API key required.
  • You have the keys it needs: OBSIDIAN_API_KEY.
Explore MCP Obsidian

Feature & specification comparison

Rows where the two servers differ are marked.

SpecProject MCP logoProject MCPMCP Obsidian logoMCP Obsidian
CategoryKnowledge & MemoryKnowledge & Memory
Quality signal48/100 · Fair48/100 · Fair
Install commandConfirmedConfirmed
TransportLocal subprocess (stdio)Local subprocess (stdio)
AuthNo auth requiredAPI key required
PricingFreeFree
Required env varsNone listedOBSIDIAN_API_KEY
Verified ownerCommunity listingCommunity listing
GitHub stars94,491
Directory activity 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes 8 views 0 installs 0 upvotes
ToolsNot listedNot listed

Tools & capabilities

Project MCP tools

No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.

MCP Obsidian 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.

Project MCP

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

MCP Obsidian

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "markuspfundstein-mcp-obsidian": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-obsidian"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OBSIDIAN_API_KEY": "YOUR_OBSIDIAN_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently asked questions

Project MCP is categorized under Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. MCP Obsidian belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Project MCP for knowledge & memory work and MCP Obsidian for knowledge & memory.

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.

Project MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. MCP Obsidian is listed as free. Auth: api key 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 project-mcp and markuspfundstein-mcp-obsidian as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.

On AllMCPs, Project MCP has a quality signal of 48/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 9 GitHub stars. MCP Obsidian has 48/100 (Fair) with 8 views, 0 installs and 4,491 GitHub stars.