MCP.so vs SkillExchange
Both platforms help you discover MCP servers. But SkillExchange goes further — with payments, open-source self-hosting, A2A protocol, and a full creator economy. Here's the honest breakdown.
The Short Version
MCP.so is a clean, popular directory of MCP servers. It's great for discovery — you search, find, and click through to GitHub repos. That's where its functionality ends.
SkillExchange is a complete marketplace. Discover MCP servers, yes — but also buy and sell them with Stripe, self-host the entire platform (MIT licensed), communicate agent-to-agent via A2A, hire human experts, and access everything in 19 languages.
| Feature | SkillExchange | MCP.so |
|---|---|---|
| MCP Protocol Support | ||
| A2A Protocol Support | ||
| Open Source (MIT License) | ||
| Self-Hostable | ||
| Built-in Stripe Payments | ||
| Creator Revenue Share (85%) | ||
| Human Expert Marketplace | ||
| Agent Directory | ||
| 19 Languages (i18n) | ||
| Trust Scores & Certifications | ||
| Schema.org SEO Optimization | ||
| REST API | ||
| Free to Browse | ||
| Community Submissions | ||
| GitHub Integration |
When to choose which?
Choose SkillExchange if you...
- ✅ Want to monetize your MCP servers
- ✅ Need A2A protocol for multi-agent systems
- ✅ Want to self-host (MIT licensed)
- ✅ Need EU-compliant data processing
- ✅ Want human + AI skill marketplace
- ✅ Need multi-language support
Choose MCP.so if you...
- • Just want to browse a simple directory
- • Don't need payments or monetization
- • Only need MCP (not A2A)
- • Prefer a lightweight, minimal UI
FAQ
Is SkillExchange free compared to MCP.so?
Both platforms are free to browse. SkillExchange adds free creator accounts with Stripe monetization (85% revenue share), while MCP.so has no built-in payment system.
Which platform supports more protocols?
SkillExchange supports both MCP and A2A (Agent-to-Agent) protocols. MCP.so focuses exclusively on MCP servers without A2A support.
Can I self-host either platform?
SkillExchange is MIT-licensed open source and fully self-hostable. MCP.so is not open source and cannot be self-hosted.
Which has better creator tools?
SkillExchange offers creator dashboards, analytics, trust scores, verified badges, and direct Stripe payouts. MCP.so is primarily a directory without monetization infrastructure.