Slack MCP Server (session-based) vs Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe)

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

	Slack MCP Server (session-based) Session-token Slack access for AI agents — no OAuth, no app registration, 21 tools, one command. Unverified stdio (local) API key JavaScript	Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe) Gmail MCP with auto OAuth: send, search, label and manage email Verified stdio (local) OAuth TypeScript
Category	Communication	Communication
Language	JavaScript	TypeScript
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	OAuth
GitHub stars	28	1.1k
Last commit	1 day ago	3 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`npx -y @jtalk22/slack-mcp --setup`	`npx -y @gongrzhe/server-gmail-autoauth-mcp`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick Slack MCP Server (session-based) if you need the broadest set of tools.

Pick Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe) if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you want a verified, documented setup.

Add Slack MCP Server (session-based)

Install / run

npx -y @jtalk22/slack-mcp --setup

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slack-mcp-server-session-based": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@jtalk22/slack-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "SLACK_TOKEN": "xoxc-your-token",
        "SLACK_COOKIE": "xoxd-your-cookie"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe)

Install / run

npx -y @gongrzhe/server-gmail-autoauth-mcp

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gmail-mcp-server-gongrzhe": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@gongrzhe/server-gmail-autoauth-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

FAQ

Slack MCP Server (session-based) or Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe) — which is better?

Pick Slack MCP Server (session-based) if you need the broadest set of tools. Pick Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe) if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you want a verified, documented setup.

Can I use both Slack MCP Server (session-based) and Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe)?

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 Slack MCP Server (session-based) and Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe) work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

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

View Slack MCP Server (session-based) →View Gmail MCP Server (GongRzhe) →More comparisons →