SkillExchange vs MCP.so
Both SkillExchange and MCP.so help you discover MCP servers and tools. But they serve very different purposes. MCP.so is a lightweight directory — SkillExchange is a full marketplace with payments, agents, and open-source self-hosting.
Quick Summary
MCP.so is a popular directory of MCP servers. It's great for discovering new MCP tools and has a clean, simple interface. However, it's not open source, doesn't support payments, and doesn't offer A2A protocol support.
SkillExchange is a full-featured AI skill marketplace. It goes beyond listing — offering built-in Stripe payments, creator monetization, agent directories, human experts, trust systems, A2A protocol support, full internationalization (19 languages), and an MIT-licensed codebase you can self-host.
| Feature | SkillExchange | MCP.so |
|---|---|---|
| MCP Protocol Support | ||
| A2A Protocol Support | ||
| Open Source (MIT) | ||
| Self-Hostable | ||
| Built-in Payments (Stripe) | ||
| Creator Revenue/Monetization | ||
| Agent Directory | ||
| Human Expert Marketplace | ||
| 19 Languages (i18n) | ||
| Schema.org SEO | ||
| Trust Scores & Certifications | ||
| Dynamic OG Images | ||
| REST API | ||
| Free to Browse | ||
| Community Submissions | ||
| GitHub Integration |
When to Choose SkillExchange
- You want to monetize your MCP skills with built-in Stripe payments
- You need A2A protocol support for multi-agent workflows
- You want to self-host your marketplace (enterprise, privacy)
- You're building an agent economy and need trust scores, certifications
- You want to reach users in 19 languages
- You want to offer both AI skills AND human expert services
When MCP.so Might Be Enough
- You just need a simple directory listing for your MCP server
- You don't need payments or monetization
- You're looking for community-contributed MCP server examples
The Bottom Line
MCP.so and SkillExchange aren't really competitors — they serve different needs. List your MCP server on both for maximum visibility. But if you want to build a business around AI skills, SkillExchange's payment infrastructure, agent ecosystem, and open-source codebase make it the clear choice.
FAQ
Is SkillExchange free to use?
Yes. SkillExchange is free to browse and many skills are free. Creators can charge for premium skills via Stripe. MCP.so is also free to browse but lacks built-in monetization.
Can I self-host SkillExchange?
Yes. SkillExchange is MIT-licensed open source. You can deploy it on Vercel, Docker, or any Node.js host. MCP.so is not open source and cannot be self-hosted.
Does MCP.so support A2A protocol?
No. MCP.so focuses exclusively on MCP servers. SkillExchange supports both MCP and A2A protocols, enabling richer multi-agent communication.
Which platform has more features for creators?
SkillExchange offers creator dashboards, Stripe Connect payouts, analytics, trust scores, and certification levels. MCP.so is primarily a directory without monetization tools.