Mindmap MCP Server vs mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API)

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

	Mindmap MCP Server Convert Markdown content into interactive markmap-based mindmaps (HTML or saved file). Unverified stdio (local) No auth Stale Python	mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) Read, search, and edit your Obsidian vault through the Local REST API community plugin. Verified stdio (local) API key Python
Category	Productivity	Productivity
Language	Python	Python
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	None	API key
GitHub stars	234	3.6k
Last commit	1 year ago	4 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx mindmap-mcp-server`	`uvx mcp-obsidian`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick Mindmap MCP Server if you want zero-setup with no API key.

Pick mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Add Mindmap MCP Server

Install / run

uvx mindmap-mcp-server

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mindmap-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mindmap-mcp-server",
        "--return-type",
        "filePath"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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

Add mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API)

Install / run

uvx mcp-obsidian

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-obsidian-obsidian-local-rest-api": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-obsidian"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OBSIDIAN_API_KEY": "<your-obsidian-rest-api-key>",
        "OBSIDIAN_HOST": "127.0.0.1",
        "OBSIDIAN_PORT": "27124"
      }
    }
  }
}

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

FAQ

Mindmap MCP Server or mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) — which is better?

Pick Mindmap MCP Server if you want zero-setup with no API key. Pick mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Can I use both Mindmap MCP Server and mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API)?

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 Mindmap MCP Server and mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

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

View Mindmap MCP Server →View mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) →More comparisons →