Apache OpenDAL MCP Server vs Filesystem (Reference)

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

	Apache OpenDAL MCP Server Access S3, Azure Blob, Google Cloud Storage and many more storage services through one unified MCP interface. Unverified stdio (local) API key Stale Python	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	Python	TypeScript
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	None
GitHub stars	34	74k
Last commit	1 year ago	5 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`pip install mcp-server-opendal`	`npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /absolute/path/to/dir`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick Apache OpenDAL MCP Server if you prefer its approach (access s3, azure blob, google cloud storage and many more storage services through one unified mcp interface).

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

Add Apache OpenDAL MCP Server

Install / run

pip install mcp-server-opendal

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apache-opendal-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-server-opendal"
      ],
      "env": {
        "YOUR_ENV_VAR": "YOUR_ENV_VALUE"
      }
    }
  }
}

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

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

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

Pick Apache OpenDAL MCP Server if you prefer its approach (access s3, azure blob, google cloud storage and many more storage services through one unified mcp interface). Pick Filesystem (Reference) if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Can I use both Apache OpenDAL MCP 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 Apache OpenDAL MCP 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 Apache OpenDAL MCP Server →View Filesystem (Reference) →More comparisons →