MCP Server vs Shodan
A side-by-side look at the MCP Server and Shodan MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose MCP Server for security work as a local process; choose Shodan for security as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You want tools like
list_containers, get_container_details, list_clusters.
Choose Shodan when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
SHODAN_API_KEY. - You want tools like
ip_lookup, shodan_search, cve_lookup.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Security | Security |
| Quality signal | 65/100 · Great | 68/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | BYOK (pay the provider) | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | SHODAN_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 6 | 178 |
| Directory activity | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 54 | 11 |
| Full listing | View MCP Server | View Shodan |
Tools & capabilities
MCP Server tools 54
list_containersList containers secured by RAD Security with optional filtering by image name, image digest, namespace, cluster_id, or free text searchget_container_detailsGet detailed information about a container secured by RAD Securitylist_clustersList Kubernetes clusters managed by RAD Securityget_cluster_detailsGet detailed information about a specific Kubernetes cluster managed by RAD Securitywho_shelled_into_podGet k8s audit logs with information about users who shelled into a podlist_imagesList container images with optional filtering by page, page size, sort, and search querylist_image_vulnerabilitiesList vulnerabilities in a container image with optional filtering by severityget_top_vulnerable_imagesGet the most vulnerable images from your accountget_image_sbomGet the SBOM of a container imageignore_cveIgnore a CVE for this account so it no longer appears in vulnerability reporting. Use for confirmed false positives, accepted risks, or won't-fix decisions. Do NOT use for remediated CVEs — those drop off automatically on the next scan.unignore_cveRemove an account-wide CVE disposition, restoring the CVE to vulnerability reporting.list_cve_dispositionsList active CVE dispositions (ignored / false positive) for this account, with reason and author.- +42 more on the listing page
Shodan tools 11
ip_lookupRetrieve comprehensive information about an IP address, including geolocation, operating system, open ports, running services (product, version, CPE), known vulnerabilities (CVEs), SSL certificates, hostnames, and cloud provider details if available. Returns service banners and HTTP server information when present. Optional history returns historical banners; minify omits banners.shodan_searchSearch Shodan's database of internet-connected devices. Returns detailed information about matching devices including services, vulnerabilities, and geographic distribution. Supports advanced search filters and returns facet statistics (default: by country). Costs 1 query credit when the query uses filters, plus 1 per page beyond the first. Use shodan_count (free) to get totals and facets without results.cve_lookupQuery detailed vulnerability information from Shodan's CVEDB. Returns comprehensive CVE details including CVSS scores (v4/v3/v2), EPSS probability and ranking, KEV status, proposed mitigations, ransomware associations, and affected products (CPEs).dns_lookupResolve domain names to IP addresses using Shodan's DNS service. Supports batch resolution of multiple hostnames in a single query. Returns IP addresses mapped to their corresponding hostnames.reverse_dns_lookupPerform reverse DNS lookups to find hostnames associated with IP addresses. Supports batch lookups of multiple IP addresses in a single query. Returns all known hostnames for each IP address, with clear indication when no hostnames are found.cpe_lookupSearch for Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) entries by product name in Shodan's CVEDB. Supports pagination and can return either full CPE details or just the total count. Useful for identifying specific versions and configurations of software and hardware.cves_by_productSearch for vulnerabilities affecting specific products or CPEs. Supports filtering by KEV status, sorting by EPSS score, date ranges, and pagination. Can search by product name or CPE 2.3 identifier. Returns detailed vulnerability information including severity scores and impact assessments.shodan_countGet the total number of Shodan results for a query, with optional facet breakdowns (e.g. by country, org, port). Free: does not consume query credits. Use search_filters to list valid filters and facets.domain_infoGet subdomains and DNS records for a domain from Shodan. Costs 1 query credit per lookup.api_infoShow the Shodan API plan, remaining query and scan credits, monitored IPs, and usage limits for the configured API key. Free: does not consume credits.search_filtersList the search filters and facets Shodan supports. Use this to build valid shodan_search and shodan_count queries and facets. Free: does not consume credits.
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 Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"rad-security-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@rad-security/mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
Shodan
{
"mcpServers": {
"shodan-2": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@burtthecoder/mcp-shodan"
],
"env": {
"SHODAN_API_KEY": "YOUR_SHODAN_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
MCP Server is categorized under Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Shodan belongs to Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP Server for security work and Shodan for security.
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 Server is bring-your-own-key: usage is billed by the API provider you supply a key for. Auth: api key required. Shodan 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 rad-security-mcp-server and shodan-2 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, MCP Server has a quality signal of 65/100 (Great) with 3 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars. Shodan has 68/100 (Great) with 1 views, 0 installs and 178 GitHub stars.