MCP Registry is the canonical directory service governed under the Model Context Protocol project. It gives MCP client apps a machine-readable list of published MCP servers, and gives server authors a single place to publish metadata. *Vendor-described* purpose: the README frames it as "an app store for MCP servers." The practical value is a neutral, standards-aligned source of truth rather than a proprietary marketplace — you can consume the free hosted public API (`registry.modelcontextprotocol.io`) or run your own instance behind your firewall. Publishing is via a CLI or web interface. As of its post-preview release the API is in a v0.1 freeze, so integrators get a stable-ish contract but should expect the schema to evolve. It is infrastructure/plumbing, not an end-user product — evaluate it as a data source and self-host option, not a dashboard.
MCP Registry
Official open catalog of Model Context Protocol servers
The official, community-run registry for discovering and publishing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers — an open index that MCP clients read to find available servers.
About MCP Registry
Pricing & Platform Specs
Pricing Summary
MCP Registry is completely free and open-source under the MIT license. Developers can freely search, inspect, and publish server metadata across the Model Context Protocol ecosystem.
Supported Platforms
Hosted public HTTP API (`/v0/servers`) for discovery; self-hostable via Docker or Go source; server publishing via official CLI or web UI. Cross-platform (Go service).
Alternatives
Public MCP server directory, now part of Arcade.dev
Smithery is a free public directory of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, owned by Arcade.dev since August 2026. Since October 31, 2026 it no longer hosts or proxies servers: its hosted server URLs, API, Connect, Toolbox, accounts, API keys, CLI and SDKs were shut down, and verified listings now point to each vendor's own MCP URL.
MCP server directory and gateway
AI gateway and model management platform that provides a unified API for accessing multiple LLM providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Mistral, and more) through a single endpoint. Features model routing, cost tracking, usage analytics, rate limiting, and API key management across providers. Simplifies multi-provider AI integration by handling authentication, billing, and failover in one place. Useful for teams evaluating multiple models or building provider-agnostic AI applications.
Side-by-Side Comparisons
MCP Registry vs Smithery: Official Metadata API vs Public Directory
The MCP Registry is the official, open-source metadata registry for public MCP servers, with namespace verification and a REST API for clients. Smithery is now a free public directory owned by Arcade.dev, after shutting down hosting, its API and its CLI on October 31, 2026. For anything programmatic, the MCP Registry is the better choice.
MCP Registry vs Glama: Official publishing authority or richer MCP discovery marketplace?
MCP Registry and Glama overlap at the point where developers look for MCP servers, but they serve different jobs. The official MCP Registry is the vendor-neutral publication and synchronization layer: it assigns canonical server names, verifies namespace ownership, validates package metadata, and exposes a stable API for downstream registries. Glama consumes that ecosystem data and adds human search, tool-level schemas, quality and health signals, sandbox analysis, deployment, gateway, logs, and access controls. Publishers should use the official Registry to establish identity and release metadata. Teams choosing, testing, and operating servers will usually get more practical value from Glama, so Glama is the overall winner for this buyer-focused comparison.
Community experience
Sources & verification
- Sources checked
- Content verified
Verification dates are editorial checks. Routine CMS saves and automatic updatedAt timestamps do not advance them.
optional / review badge
Optional image for a README or docs page. The snippet links to this review. No link is required.
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[](https://aicoolies.com/reviews/mcp-registry-review)FAQ
What is MCP Registry?
The official, community-run registry for discovering and publishing Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers — an open index that MCP clients read to find available servers.
Is MCP Registry free?
Yes — MCP Registry is open source and free to use. MCP Registry is completely free and open-source under the MIT license. Developers can freely search, inspect, and publish server metadata across the Model Context Protocol ecosystem.
Is MCP Registry open source?
Yes — MCP Registry is open source.
Is MCP Registry still maintained?
Yes — MCP Registry is active. Its listing was last verified on August 26, 2026.
What are the best MCP Registry alternatives?
The first editor-selected MCP Registry alternatives are Smithery, Glama.
How does MCP Registry score in our review?
The published editorial review lists MCP Registry at 89/100 overall across speed, privacy, and developer experience. Check the review's evidence status and test metadata for its verification level.
