OpenAPI to MCP Server: Best Converters Compared
Converting OpenAPI to MCP unlocks your REST APIs for AI assistants like Claude and Cursor. We compare 10 tools — from no-code platforms to CLI generators to self-hosted Docker images — so you can find the right OpenAPI-to-MCP converter for your workflow.
What's Covered
Why Convert OpenAPI to MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the standard that lets AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf call external tools. Most APIs speak REST — not MCP. An OpenAPI-to-MCP converter bridges this gap automatically, transforming your existing API specification into AI-callable tools.
Without a converter, building an MCP server from scratch takes 2-5 hours per API. With the right tool, you can convert an OpenAPI spec to a working MCP server in under 60 seconds. The difference is significant:
| Approach | Time | Skill Required |
|---|---|---|
| Build from scratch (Python) | 2-4 hours | Python + MCP SDK |
| Build from scratch (TypeScript) | 3-5 hours | TypeScript + MCP SDK |
| OpenAPI auto-convert | ~60 seconds | Just paste URL |
Want to build an MCP server without OpenAPI? Check our step-by-step guide for Python and TypeScript implementations from scratch.
What to Look For in an OpenAPI-to-MCP Converter
Not all converters are equal. When evaluating OpenAPI-to-MCP tools, consider these five factors:
Deployment Speed
From 60 seconds (MCPize Web UI) to hours (manual setup). Hosted platforms are fastest; CLI tools need extra steps.
Hosting Model
Managed platforms handle infrastructure. Self-hosted gives control but requires DevOps knowledge.
Authentication Support
API keys, OAuth 2.0, Bearer tokens, Basic auth. Check if the tool supports your API's security scheme.
Monetization
Only MCPize offers built-in billing. Others require implementing payments yourself. Learn about monetization →
Language & Runtime
TypeScript (Speakeasy, MCPize CLI), Python (FastMCP), Go (Higress), or Docker images for any language. Match your team's expertise.
Hosted OpenAPI-to-MCP Platforms
Convert OpenAPI specs to MCP servers without managing infrastructure. These platforms handle hosting, scaling, and SSL for your MCP endpoints.
MCPize
Fastest path from OpenAPI to deployed MCP server. Web UI, CLI, or Docker. Built-in monetization.
# Web UI: Paste URL → Deploy (60 seconds)
# Or CLI:
mcpize init my-api --template typescript/openapi \
--from-url https://api.example.com/openapi.json
mcpize deploy
Speakeasy
SDK generator with MCP support. Creates TypeScript servers with Zod schemas. Cloudflare deployment.
# Install Speakeasy CLI
brew install speakeasy-api/homebrew-tap/speakeasy
# Generate MCP server
speakeasy quickstart --mcp
# Deploy to Cloudflare
wrangler deploy
Stainless
SDK-first approach. Upload spec, configure via YAML, get npm-publishable MCP server.
Azure API Management
Enterprise Azure integration. Export existing APIM APIs as MCP servers. Preview feature.
Gentoro / DigitalAPI
Enterprise one-click conversion. Custom pricing based on usage. LLM-enhanced documentation.
Self-Hosted OpenAPI-to-MCP Tools
Convert OpenAPI to MCP with full control over infrastructure. Run these CLI tools and Docker images on your own servers or air-gapped environments.
(Python)
Pythonic MCP framework with from_openapi() method. Great for data science workflows.
import httpx
from fastmcp import FastMCP
client = httpx.AsyncClient(base_url="https://api.example.com")
spec = httpx.get("https://api.example.com/openapi.json").json()
mcp = FastMCP.from_openapi(openapi_spec=spec, client=client)
mcp.run()
openapi-to-mcpserver (Go)
Go-based bulk converter. Outputs YAML config for cloud-native MCP servers. Kubernetes-ready.
# Install Go-based converter
go install github.com/higress-group/openapi-to-mcpserver/cmd/openapi-to-mcp@latest
# Convert spec to MCP config
openapi-to-mcp --input openapi.json --output mcp-config.yamlprocoders/openapi-mcp-ts (Docker)
Ready-to-run Docker image. Just provide spec URL. Open source (Apache 2.0).
# Self-hosted with Docker
docker run -p 8080:8080 procoders/openapi-mcp-ts \
--spec-url https://petstore.swagger.io/v3/openapi.jsonckanthony/openapi-mcp (Go)
Go-based Docker image with 163+ stars. Advanced filtering (include/exclude tags/operations). Swagger v2 + OpenAPI v3.
# Go-based Docker image (163+ GitHub stars)
docker run -p 8080:8080 ckanthony/openapi-mcp \
--spec https://petstore.swagger.io/v3/openapi.jsonopenapi-mcp-generator (Node.js)
npx-based CLI. Generates TypeScript MCP server scaffolding from OpenAPI specs.
OpenAPI-to-MCP Converter Comparison
| Tool | Type | Hosting | Monetization | Languages | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCPize | Web + CLI + Docker | 85% | TS, Py, Go | Free tier | |
| Speakeasy | CLI | TypeScript | Free + paid | ||
| Stainless | Web + CLI | Multi-lang | Contact sales | ||
| Azure APIM | Portal | Any | Azure pricing | ||
| Gentoro | Web | Any | Enterprise | ||
| FastMCP | Library | Python | Free (MIT) | ||
| Higress | CLI | Go | Free (Apache) | ||
| openapi-mcp-ts | Docker | TypeScript | Free (Apache) | ||
| ckanthony/openapi-mcp | Docker | Go | Free (OSS) |
Which OpenAPI-to-MCP Tool Should You Choose?
Fastest Deploy
Paste URL → Deploy in 60 seconds
Monetization
Earn 85% revenue from API wrappers
Full Type Safety
Generated Zod schemas, TypeScript-first
Python / Data Science
Native Python with async httpx
Enterprise / Azure
Existing Azure infrastructure
Self-Hosted / Air-Gapped
Docker on your own infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Convert Your API?
Paste your OpenAPI spec and deploy an MCP server instantly. Free tier available.
Or browse existing MCP servers in our marketplace