mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) vs n8n-MCP

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

	mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) Read, search, and edit your Obsidian vault through the Local REST API community plugin. Verified stdio (local) API key Python	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	Python	TypeScript
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	API key
GitHub stars	3.6k	22k
Last commit	6 months ago	1 month ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`uvx mcp-obsidian`	`npx n8n-mcp`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) if you want a verified, documented setup.

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

Add mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API)

Install / run

uvx mcp-obsidian

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-obsidian-obsidian-local-rest-api": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-obsidian"
      ],
      "env": {
        "OBSIDIAN_API_KEY": "<your-obsidian-rest-api-key>",
        "OBSIDIAN_HOST": "127.0.0.1",
        "OBSIDIAN_PORT": "27124"
      }
    }
  }
}

Requires `uv` (the Python package runner). Install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/ if `uvx` is not found.

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

mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) or n8n-MCP — which is better?

Pick mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) if you want a verified, documented setup. Pick n8n-MCP if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Can I use both mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) 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 mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) and n8n-MCP work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

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

View mcp-obsidian (Obsidian Local REST API) →View n8n-MCP →More comparisons →