MCP Server vs Counsel MCP
A side-by-side look at the MCP Server and Counsel MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
MCP ServerConversational AI · Local subprocess (stdio)Build AI voice assistants and phone agents with Vapi through the Model Context Protocol63GoodAuth: api key requiredVerdict: choose MCP Server for conversational ai work as a local process; choose Counsel MCP for conversational ai 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 Conversational AI domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
VAPI_TOKEN. - You want tools like
list_assistants, get_assistant, create_assistant.
Choose Counsel MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Conversational AI domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
COUNSEL_API_KEY. - You want tools like
start_consultation, get_consultation_status, get_consultation_report.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | MCP Server | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Conversational AI | Conversational AI |
| Quality signal | 63/100 · Good | 55/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | API key required |
| Pricing | BYOK (pay the provider) | Free |
| Required env vars | VAPI_TOKEN | COUNSEL_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 58 | 6 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 13 | 6 |
| Full listing | View MCP Server | View Counsel MCP |
Tools & capabilities
MCP Server tools 13
list_assistantsList all assistantsget_assistantGet assistant by IDcreate_assistantCreate new assistantupdate_assistantUpdate assistantlist_callsList call historyget_callGet call detailscreate_callStart outbound call (immediate or scheduled)list_phone_numbersList phone numbersget_phone_numberGet phone number detailslist_toolsList custom toolsget_toolGet tool detailscreate_toolCreate tool for API integration- +1 more on the listing page
Counsel MCP tools 6
start_consultationStart a new strategic consultation (debate) to analyze a complex question with multiple perspectives.get_consultation_statusCheck the status of an ongoing consultation.get_consultation_reportRetrieve the final synthesis report from a completed consultation.list_consultationsList your past consultations.sharpen_questionRefine and improve a strategic question before starting a consultation.consult_advisorStart an interactive advisor session for brainstorming or scoping problems.
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": {
"vapi-ai-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@vapi-ai/mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"VAPI_TOKEN": "YOUR_VAPI_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Counsel MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"mercurialsolo-counsel-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"counsel-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"COUNSEL_API_KEY": "YOUR_COUNSEL_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
MCP Server is categorized under Conversational AI and uses a local stdio subprocess. Counsel MCP belongs to Conversational AI and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick MCP Server for conversational ai work and Counsel MCP for conversational ai.
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. Counsel MCP 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 vapi-ai-mcp-server and mercurialsolo-counsel-mcp 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 63/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 58 GitHub stars. Counsel MCP has 55/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 6 GitHub stars.