AWS API MCP Server vs Terraform MCP Server

A side-by-side comparison of two DevOps & Cloud servers — tools, transport, auth, maintenance, and copy-paste config for each.

	AWS API MCP Server Official AWS Labs server that lets agents call any AWS API via the AWS CLI surface. Verified stdio (local) API key Python	Terraform MCP Server HashiCorp's official server for Terraform Registry providers, modules, and IaC workflows. Verified stdio (local) No auth Go
Category	DevOps & Cloud	DevOps & Cloud
Language	Python	Go
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	None
GitHub stars	9.3k	1.4k
Last commit	7 days ago	8 days ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest`	`docker run -i --rm hashicorp/terraform-mcp-server`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick AWS API MCP Server if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Pick Terraform MCP Server if you want zero-setup with no API key, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Add AWS API MCP Server

Install / run

uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest

Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aws-api-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest"
      ],
      "env": {
        "AWS_REGION": "us-east-1",
        "AWS_PROFILE": "<your-aws-profile>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Requires `uv` (the Python package runner). Install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/ if `uvx` is not found.

Add Terraform MCP Server

Install / run

docker run -i --rm hashicorp/terraform-mcp-server

Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terraform-mcp-server": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "hashicorp/terraform-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Requires Docker to be installed and running.

FAQ

AWS API MCP Server or Terraform MCP Server — which is better?

Pick AWS API MCP Server if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option. Pick Terraform MCP Server if you want zero-setup with no API key, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Can I use both AWS API MCP Server and Terraform MCP Server?

Yes — MCP clients let you enable multiple servers at once. Add both configs to your client's mcpServers and use whichever tool fits the task.

Do AWS API MCP Server and Terraform MCP Server work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

Both do. Copy the per-client config below into Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf.

View AWS API MCP Server →View Terraform MCP Server →More comparisons →