# MCP Registry (Official) vs Smithery

MCP Registry (Official) is free, with no paid plan attached. Smithery is freemium — a usable free tier with paid plans above it.

| | MCP Registry (Official) | Smithery |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free tier + paid plans |
| Free to start | Yes | Yes |
| Category | AI Agents & Automation | AI Agents & Automation |
| Type | MCP Ecosystem | MCP Ecosystem |
| Best for | The canonical open-source specification and docs for the Model Context Protocol | Marketplace of 14,000+ hosted MCP servers with one-click connect |

## FAQ

### MCP Registry (Official) vs Smithery: what is the difference?

MCP Registry (Official) is free, with no paid plan attached and is listed for the canonical open-source specification and docs for the Model Context Protocol. Smithery is freemium — a usable free tier with paid plans above it and is listed for marketplace of 14,000+ hosted MCP servers with one-click connect. Both sit in MCP Ecosystem.

### Is MCP Registry (Official) or Smithery cheaper to start with?

MCP Registry (Official) is the cheaper starting point: it is free, with no paid plan attached, while Smithery is freemium — a usable free tier with paid plans above it. Pricing tiers here come from the catalog, not from a promotional page.

### Which should I choose, MCP Registry (Official) or Smithery?

Choose MCP Registry (Official) if you need the canonical open-source specification and docs for the Model Context Protocol; choose Smithery if you need marketplace of 14,000+ hosted MCP servers with one-click connect. Flocci AI Tools does not rank one above the other — it shows both feature sets side by side and lets the requirement decide.

## Related

- [MCP Registry (Official)](https://aitools.flocci.in/tool/mcp-registry-official)
- [Smithery](https://aitools.flocci.in/tool/smithery)
- [MCP Registry (Official) alternatives](https://aitools.flocci.in/alternatives/mcp-registry-official)
- [Smithery alternatives](https://aitools.flocci.in/alternatives/smithery)
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Source: Flocci AI Tools — https://aitools.flocci.in/compare/mcp-registry-official-vs-smithery

Facts last verified: October 2026