AWS API MCP Server vs tfmcp

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	tfmcp Terraform MCP server letting AI assistants read, plan, apply, analyze, and manage Terraform infrastructure. Unverified stdio (local) No auth Rust
Category	DevOps & Cloud	DevOps & Cloud
Language	Python	Rust
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	None
GitHub stars	9.3k	369
Last commit	1 month ago	4 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx awslabs.aws-api-mcp-server@latest`	`cargo install tfmcp`
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 tfmcp 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 tfmcp

Install / run

cargo install tfmcp

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tfmcp": {
      "command": "/path/to/your/tfmcp",
      "args": [
        "mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "HOME": "/Users/yourusername",
        "PATH": "/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/sbin",
        "TERRAFORM_DIR": "/path/to/your/terraform/project"
      }
    }
  }
}

FAQ

AWS API MCP Server or tfmcp — 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 tfmcp 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 tfmcp?

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 tfmcp 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 tfmcp →More comparisons →