What is an MCP marketplace?
An MCP marketplace is a directory of MCP servers you can add to Claude or ChatGPT. The official one is the MCP Registry.
An MCP marketplace is a website or in-app directory that lists MCP servers, so you can find one and add it to your AI app. MCP itself has no store. Marketplaces are built by others, on top of the official MCP Registry or their own lists.
Also called MCP server marketplace, MCP directory, MCP registry, MCP server directory, mcp marketplaces.
The word is used loosely. It can mean a site that lists servers, the directory inside Claude, or the official registry that those sites pull from.
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The MCP project runs the official MCP Registry. Its docs call it the official centralized metadata repository for publicly accessible MCP servers. It stores a description of each server and where to get it, not the server code. The docs say it is meant mainly for downstream aggregators, "such as MCP server marketplaces", and that apps should not read it directly.
So the usual path is: a server author publishes to the registry, and marketplaces and apps list it with their own review, ratings or install buttons.
Related:MCP RegistryMCP serverMCP connectorModel Context Protocol (MCP)
An MCP marketplace is a directory of MCP servers, so you can find one for your app and add it to your AI assistant. There is no single store. The official MCP Registry holds the listings, and Claude has its own Connectors Directory.
The one thing to know first: a listing is not a safety check. The registry confirms who owns a server's name but leaves security scanning to others. Anthropic reviews servers before it lists them in Claude's directory.
In Claude, open a chat, click +, then Connectors and Manage connectors to browse the directory. On PlugWiki, each server page shows what a server can do and how to install it. Browse by job in developer tools or productivity. Add a server that is not in a directory as a custom connector.
Good for
- Claude users looking for a connector for their app
- ChatGPT users adding a custom MCP server
- Teams deciding where their people may get servers
- Server authors who want to be listed
Comparison
Our advice: in Claude, start in the Connectors Directory because Anthropic reviews it. Use PlugWiki to compare servers and read install steps.
| Option | What it is | Run by | Checked | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCP Registry | Metadata list | MCP project | Namespace verified | Server authors |
| Claude Connectors DirectoryThis page | In-app list | Anthropic | By Anthropic | Claude users |
| npm, PyPI, Docker Hub | Code hosting | Package hosts | Own scanning | Running locally |
| PlugWiki server pages | Guides and install steps | PlugWiki | Not applicable | Comparing servers |
Questions
What is an MCP marketplace?
A directory that lists MCP servers so you can find one and add it to your AI app. Some are sites, some sit inside an app. The MCP project itself publishes only the registry they draw from.
Is there an official MCP marketplace?
There is an official MCP Registry, at registry.modelcontextprotocol.io. Its docs say it is "currently in preview" and that breaking changes or data resets may occur before general availability. It holds server descriptions for others to build on. It is not an app store you install from.
Where can I find MCP servers for Claude?
Open a chat in Claude, click +, then Connectors and Manage connectors to browse the Connectors Directory. For a server that is not listed, add it as a custom connector with its web address. You can also browse the server pages on PlugWiki.
Is there an MCP marketplace for ChatGPT?
In ChatGPT you add a remote MCP server yourself. Use Add custom MCP server, and it is saved as a plugin you can use in chats.
Are servers in a marketplace safe?
Not automatically. The official registry checks who owns a server's name and leaves code scanning to package hosts and marketplaces. Anthropic reviews servers before listing them in Claude's directory, but custom connectors get no review by Anthropic.
Can I add my own server to the MCP Registry?
Yes, if people can reach it. It must be a public package such as on npm, or a public remote server. Private servers are not supported, and the FAQ says you cannot currently unpublish a server.
What does the registry actually store?
A description in a standard server.json file: the server's name, where to find it, how to run it and what it does. The code stays on npm, PyPI, Docker Hub or the server's own host.
Is an MCP server the same as a Claude plugin?
No. An MCP server is a program that gives an AI app tools or data. Claude's connector docs say a plugin can bundle a server with the skills that teach Claude to use it, so people install both together. See what is an MCP connector for how the pieces fit.
Sources
Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.
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- The MCP Registry · modelcontextprotocol.io
- Use connectors to extend Claude's capabilities · support.claude.com
- Build an MCP server for Claude · claude.com
- Connect your MCP server to ChatGPT · developers.openai.com
- MCP Registry FAQ · modelcontextprotocol.io