AWS MCP Server vs AWS API MCP Server

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

	AWS MCP Server Give Claude access to all 200+ AWS services through the AWS CLI. Unverified stdio (local) API key Python	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
Category	DevOps & Cloud	DevOps & Cloud
Language	Python	Python
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	API key
GitHub stars	182	9.3k
Last commit	3 months ago	9 days ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx aws-mcp`	`uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick AWS MCP Server if you prefer its approach (give claude access to all 200+ aws services through the aws cli).

Pick AWS API MCP Server if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Add AWS MCP Server

Install / run

uvx aws-mcp

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aws-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "aws-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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

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.

FAQ

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

Pick AWS MCP Server if you prefer its approach (give claude access to all 200+ aws services through the aws cli). Pick AWS API MCP Server if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Can I use both AWS MCP Server and AWS API 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 MCP Server and AWS API MCP Server work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

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

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