What is the key difference between Web Search and Web Search API?

Web Search belongs to the Search & Data Extraction category with local stdio execution, while Web Search API belongs to the Search & Data Extraction category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Web Search or Web Search API in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Web Search and Web Search API free or paid?

Web Search operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required). Web Search API operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Web Search lists 0 tools with 0 views and 1 GitHub stars. Web Search API lists 0 tools with 0 views and 0 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Web Search and Web Search API together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

How do I install Web Search or Web Search API in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Both servers follow the standard Model Context Protocol configuration format. Simply copy the JSON block from the configuration section above and paste it into your AI client's mcpServers configuration object (for instance in claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json ), then completely restart or refresh the application.

Are Web Search and Web Search API free to use, or do they require API keys?

Web Search is listed under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . Web Search API operates under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . If environment variables are required (such as API keys), be sure to define them under the env key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Can I run both Web Search and Web Search API at the same time in my AI client?

Yes! MCP clients support multi-server orchestration. You can include both web-search and web-search-api as distinct keys inside the single mcpServers object in your configuration file. Your AI assistant will automatically select and call the appropriate tool from either server during chat sessions.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, Web Search has a Quality Score of 41 /100 ( Fair ) with 0 views, 0 installs, and 1 GitHub stars. Web Search API holds a Quality Score of 27 /100 ( Emerging ) with 0 views, 0 installs, and 0 GitHub stars.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Web Search vs Web Search API

In-depth architectural comparison of the Web Search and Web Search API MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Web Search

Search & Data Extraction · Local stdio

Quality: 41/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required

Web Search API

Search & Data Extraction · Local stdio

Quality: 27/100 (Emerging) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose Web Search if you need specialized Search & Data Extraction tools running via a local process. Choose Web Search API if your workspace requires Search & Data Extraction integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Web Search when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).

Explore Web Search Details

Choose Web Search API when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).

Explore Web Search API Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Web Search Search & Data Extraction	W Web Search API Search & Data Extraction
Summary	Web search for AI agents — one tool across 6 engines, routed to the cheapest + cached.	Web search returning structured results — titles, URLs, snippets. x402 micropayment.
Category & Scope	Search & Data Extraction	Search & Data Extraction
Quality signal

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Web Search Tools (0)

No explicit tool names declared in metadata yet. Check project README on main listing page.

Web Search API Tools (0)

No explicit tool names declared in metadata yet. Check project README on main listing page.

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

Web Search Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "web-search": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://api.groundroute.ai/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization:Bearer gr_YOUR_KEY"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Web Search API Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "web-search-api": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "web-search-api"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Web Search is categorized under Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Web Search API belongs to Search & Data Extraction using local stdio subprocess. Select Web Search when you need capabilities focused on search & data extraction and Web Search API when you require tools for search & data extraction.

More alternatives to Web Search More alternatives to Web Search API Search & Data Extraction category hub

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