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Apify MCP server: MCP server, setup and security

Apify MCP server is an open-source MCP server published on GitHub that lets an AI agent extract website data using scrapers, crawlers, and automations from Apify Store. Its repository has 12,947 stars and its last commit is from October 24, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.

Actively maintainedRemote serverTop 10% by stars

What Apify MCP server does

According to its repository: “Extract data from any website with thousands of scrapers, crawlers, and automations on Apify Store ⚡”

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard plug between an AI agent and an outside service: once the server is connected, its tools show up in the agent, which decides when to call them. Apify MCP server is listed under Developer tools, a category of 475 servers in the directory, where it ranks #11 by stars.

Topics declared by the repository: agents.

Installing and connecting Apify MCP server

Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:

  • remote server (streamable-http): you connect to it by URL, with nothing to install locally

It works with any MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and most recent agents). You add one entry to the client's MCP configuration: server name, start command or URL, environment variables. Project language: TypeScript.

Security: what to check

Connecting an MCP server means installing software that talks straight to your agent: it runs with your rights and the model trusts its tool descriptions. The risk therefore depends on what it can touch and how far its code can be trusted.

None of the risk signals we track (system access, secrets, missing licence, abandonment) applies to Apify MCP server. That does not replace reading the code.

Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.

Project activity and maintenance

Created on January 2, 2025, the apify/apify-mcp-server repository has 12,947 stars and 380 forks, with 205 open issues. It has more stars than 98% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.19.3 (October 21, 2026).

Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.

StorybookStorybook : 91.4K91.4KFront End ChecklistFront End Checklist : 74.6K74.6KTldrawTldraw : 51.1K51.1KCodebase MemoryCodebase Memory : 47.4K47.4KCCXTCCXT : 44.5K44.5KPostHog MCP ServerPostHog MCP Server : 40.4K40.4KClaude task masterClaude task master : 28.3K28.3KAgent Skills Search ServerAgent Skills Search Server : 26.6K26.6KApify MCP serverApify MCP server : 12.9K12.9K
GitHub stars of the most followed servers in the category (log scale); Apify MCP server in orange. Checked October 25, 2026.

Verdict

Apify MCP server is one of the most solid servers in its category: followed, maintained and well framed.

Strengths

  • Active project: recent commit
  • Widely followed: 12.9K stars
  • Listed in the official MCP registry
  • Usable remotely, without installation
  • Permissive licence (MIT)

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Apify MCP server?

Apify MCP server is distributed as a remote server. Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of apify/apify-mcp-server.

Is Apify MCP server free?

The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge.

Is Apify MCP server safe?

No risk signal found (system access, secrets, licence, abandonment). As with any MCP server, keep rights minimal and read the code before sensitive use.

Is it an official server?

It is published in the MCP registry under the verified namespace com.apify, which shows the publisher controls that domain.

What are the alternatives to Apify MCP server?

In the same category: Radar Kubernetes MCP Server, Repowise, Jscpd, and Codebase Memory.

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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score