Linear MCP Server vs n8n-MCP

A side-by-side comparison of two Productivity servers — tools, transport, auth, maintenance, and copy-paste config for each.

	Linear MCP Server Let LLMs create, search, update, and comment on Linear issues through the Model Context Protocol. Unverified stdio (local) API key Stale JavaScript	n8n-MCP Gives AI assistants deep knowledge of 2,000+ n8n nodes, plus optional workflow management on your own n8n instance. Unverified stdio (local) API key TypeScript
Category	Productivity	Productivity
Language	JavaScript	TypeScript
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	API key
GitHub stars	344	22k
Last commit	1 year ago	1 month ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`npx @smithery/cli install linear-mcp-server --client claude`	`npx n8n-mcp`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick Linear MCP Server if you prefer its approach (let llms create, search, update, and comment on linear issues through the model context protocol).

Pick n8n-MCP if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Add Linear MCP Server

Install / run

npx @smithery/cli install linear-mcp-server --client claude

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "linear-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "your_linear_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add n8n-MCP

Install / run

npx n8n-mcp

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "n8n-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "n8n-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MCP_MODE": "stdio",
        "LOG_LEVEL": "error",
        "DISABLE_CONSOLE_OUTPUT": "true",
        "N8N_API_URL": "<your-n8n-instance-url>",
        "N8N_API_KEY": "<your-n8n-api-key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

FAQ

Linear MCP Server or n8n-MCP — which is better?

Pick Linear MCP Server if you prefer its approach (let llms create, search, update, and comment on linear issues through the model context protocol). Pick n8n-MCP if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Can I use both Linear MCP Server and n8n-MCP?

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 Linear MCP Server and n8n-MCP work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

Both do. Copy the per-client config below into Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf.

View Linear MCP Server →View n8n-MCP →More comparisons →