MCP Filesystem Server vs Filesystem (Reference)

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

	MCP Filesystem Server Secure local filesystem access for MCP clients — read, write, search, and manage files within allowed directories. Unverified stdio (local) No auth Stale Go	Filesystem (Reference) Official MCP reference server for secure local filesystem read/write within allowed directories. Verified stdio (local) No auth TypeScript
Category	Files & Storage	Files & Storage
Language	Go	TypeScript
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	None	None
GitHub stars	654	74k
Last commit	6 months ago	5 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`go install github.com/mark3labs/mcp-filesystem-server@latest`	`npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /absolute/path/to/dir`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick MCP Filesystem Server if you prefer its approach (secure local filesystem access for mcp clients — read, write, search, and manage files within allowed directories).

Pick Filesystem (Reference) if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Add MCP Filesystem Server

Install / run

go install github.com/mark3labs/mcp-filesystem-server@latest

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-filesystem-server": {
      "command": "mcp-filesystem-server",
      "args": [
        "/path/to/allowed/directory",
        "/another/allowed/directory"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Add Filesystem (Reference)

Install / run

npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /absolute/path/to/dir

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem-reference": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/absolute/path/to/dir"
      ]
    }
  }
}

FAQ

MCP Filesystem Server or Filesystem (Reference) — which is better?

Pick MCP Filesystem Server if you prefer its approach (secure local filesystem access for mcp clients — read, write, search, and manage files within allowed directories). Pick Filesystem (Reference) if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Can I use both MCP Filesystem Server and Filesystem (Reference)?

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 MCP Filesystem Server and Filesystem (Reference) work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

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

View MCP Filesystem Server →View Filesystem (Reference) →More comparisons →