QGIS MCP vs MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the QGIS MCP and MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose QGIS MCP for location services work; choose MCP Server for location services as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose QGIS MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Location Services domain.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
ping, get_qgis_info, load_project.
Choose MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Location Services domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
STHAN_API_KEY. - You want tools like
sthan_verify_address, sthan_parse_address, sthan_autocomplete_address.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Location Services | Location Services |
| Quality signal | 53/100 · Good | 61/100 · Good |
| Install command | Not confirmed yet | Confirmed |
| Transport | — | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | API key required |
| Pricing | Free | Freemium |
| Required env vars | None listed | STHAN_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 1,131 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 4 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 15 | 8 |
| Full listing | View QGIS MCP | View MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
QGIS MCP tools 15
pingSimple ping command to check server connectivityget_qgis_infoGet QGIS information about the current installationload_projectLoad a QGIS project from the specified pathcreate_new_projectCreate a new project and save itget_project_infoGet current project informationadd_vector_layerAdd a vector layer to the projectadd_raster_layerAdd a raster layer to the projectget_layersRetrieve all layers in the current projectremove_layerRemove a layer from the project by its IDzoom_to_layerZoom to the extent of a specified layerget_layer_featuresRetrieve features from a vector layer with an optional limitexecute_processingExecute a processing algorithm with the given parameters- +3 more on the listing page
MCP Server tools 8
sthan_verify_addressVerify a US address is real and deliverable. Returns standardized format, ZIP+4, DPV, residential/commercial.sthan_parse_addressParse freeform US address text into structured components (street number, name, type, direction, unit, city, state, zip).sthan_autocomplete_addressSuggest complete US addresses from partial input. Sub-100ms.sthan_autocomplete_citySuggest US cities from partial input, with state code.sthan_autocomplete_zipcodeSuggest US ZIP codes from partial input.sthan_geocodeUS address → latitude/longitude with accuracy + confidence, county, ZIP+4 and time zone.sthan_reverse_geocodeLatitude/longitude → nearest US street address with distance in meters, county, ZIP+4 and time zone; `limit` (up to 10) also lists nearby addresses.sthan_ip_geolocationIPv4 or IPv6 → location (country to postal code, local time, flag, currency), the network behind it (ASN, ISP, proxy/hosting flags) and a confidence score.
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.
QGIS MCP
No confirmed install command for QGIS MCP yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"sthan-io-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@sthan/mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"STHAN_API_KEY": "YOUR_STHAN_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
QGIS MCP is categorized under Location Services and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. MCP Server belongs to Location Services and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick QGIS MCP for location services work and MCP Server for location services.
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. QGIS MCP has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
QGIS MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. MCP Server is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. 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 qgis-mcp and sthan-io-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, QGIS MCP has a quality signal of 53/100 (Good) with 4 views, 0 installs and 1,131 GitHub stars. MCP Server has 61/100 (Good) with 5 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.