AWS API MCP Server vs AWS 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	AWS MCP Server Give Claude access to all 200+ AWS services through the AWS CLI. Unverified 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	9.3k	182
Last commit	1 month ago	5 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest`	`uvx aws-mcp`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

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

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

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 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.

FAQ

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

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

Can I use both AWS API MCP Server and AWS 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 AWS 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 AWS MCP Server →More comparisons →