AWS API MCP Server vs SSH 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	SSH MCP Server Execute shell commands on remote Linux and Windows servers over SSH via MCP. Unverified stdio (local) No auth TypeScript
Category	DevOps & Cloud	DevOps & Cloud
Language	Python	TypeScript
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	None
GitHub stars	9.3k	504
Last commit	1 month ago	7 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest`	`npx -y ssh-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 SSH 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 SSH MCP Server

Install / run

npx -y ssh-mcp

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ssh-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "ssh-mcp",
        "-y",
        "--",
        "--host=1.2.3.4",
        "--port=22",
        "--user=root",
        "--password=pass",
        "--key=path/to/key",
        "--timeout=30000",
        "--maxChars=none"
      ]
    }
  }
}

FAQ

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

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