AWS API MCP Server vs K8s 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	K8s MCP Server Run kubectl, helm, istioctl, and argocd against your clusters from Claude in a secure Docker sandbox. Unverified stdio (local) No auth Python
Category	DevOps & Cloud	DevOps & Cloud
Language	Python	Python
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	None
GitHub stars	9.3k	210
Last commit	1 month ago	5 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest`	`docker run -i --rm -v ~/.kube:/home/appuser/.kube:ro ghcr.io/alexei-led/k8s-mcp-server:latest`
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 K8s MCP Server if you want zero-setup with no API key.

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 K8s MCP Server

Install / run

docker run -i --rm -v ~/.kube:/home/appuser/.kube:ro ghcr.io/alexei-led/k8s-mcp-server:latest

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "k8s-mcp-server": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-v",
        "/Users/YOUR_USER_NAME/.kube:/home/appuser/.kube:ro",
        "ghcr.io/alexei-led/k8s-mcp-server:latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Requires Docker to be installed and running.

FAQ

AWS API MCP Server or K8s 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 K8s MCP Server if you want zero-setup with no API key.

Can I use both AWS API MCP Server and K8s 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 K8s 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 K8s MCP Server →More comparisons →