AWS API MCP Server vs mcp-k8s

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	mcp-k8s Kubernetes MCP server: manage cluster resources and Helm releases through MCP tools, with fine-grained write controls. Unverified 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	146
Last commit	1 month ago	2 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest`	`go install github.com/silenceper/mcp-k8s/cmd/mcp-k8s@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 mcp-k8s 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 mcp-k8s

Install / run

go install github.com/silenceper/mcp-k8s/cmd/mcp-k8s@latest

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-k8s": {
      "command": "/path/to/mcp-k8s",
      "args": [
        "--kubeconfig",
        "/path/to/kubeconfig",
        "--enable-create",
        "--enable-delete",
        "--enable-update",
        "--enable-list",
        "--enable-helm-install",
        "--enable-helm-upgrade"
      ]
    }
  }
}

FAQ

AWS API MCP Server or mcp-k8s — 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 mcp-k8s 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 mcp-k8s?

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 mcp-k8s 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 mcp-k8s →More comparisons →