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7 Best Smithery Alternatives in 2026

Compare 7 Smithery alternatives for 2026: PopMCP, the official MCP Registry, Glama, Docker MCP Catalog, Composio, PulseMCP and mcp.so, with real pricing.

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Last verified 8 min read

The short answer

Short answer: the best Smithery alternatives are PopMCP for managed business tools, the official MCP Registry for a neutral server index, Glama for the largest searchable directory, Docker MCP Catalog for signed servers you run locally, and Composio for developers building agents. PulseMCP and mcp.so are good free directories for discovery.

Smithery alternatives split into two groups. Some are other registries where you find servers. Others are managed platforms that run servers for you. Pick the group first, then the tool.

The 7 picks at a glance

  1. 1PopMCPBest for business teams and agencies
  2. 2Official MCP RegistryBest neutral server index
  3. 3GlamaBest for the largest searchable directory
  4. 4Docker MCP CatalogBest for signed servers you run locally
  5. 5ComposioBest for developers building agents
  6. 6PulseMCPBest for tracking new servers
  7. 7mcp.soBest for quick free browsing

Why people look for Smithery alternatives

Smithery (smithery.ai) is a popular MCP server registry. It lists 23,519+ MCPs, offers managed OAuth, a CLI and an SDK. It is a strong product. People still look elsewhere for a few real reasons.

  1. Most servers are community-built

    Its registry API showed 191 verified servers out of 17,072 listed through that endpoint on 24 September 2026. The rest you must vet yourself.

  2. Too many choices for one app

    A "Shopify" search returned 123 servers. Business users want one that works.

  3. Security worries

    In June 2025 GitGuardian found a path traversal flaw that exposed access to 3,243 hosted apps. Smithery fixed it within days, and no misuse was reported. A May 2026 vendor scan flagged 15.3% of 497 top servers with findings.

  4. Thin business-tool coverage

    Smithery's own HubSpot listing exposes 7 tools. Teams running a CRM through AI often need far more.

  5. Usage-based pricing

    Past the free tier, RPCs cost $0.10 per 1K after a $10 monthly credit.

  6. Ownership change

    Smithery became part of Arcade.dev in August 2026. Some teams are waiting to see what changes.

Quick comparison table

ToolTypeBest forCatalogStarting price
PopMCPOur productManaged MCP gatewayBusiness teams and agencies100+ business-tool providersFree; paid from $39/mo
Official MCP RegistryOpen metadata registryNeutral, canonical server indexCommunity-publishedFree
GlamaDirectory, hosting and gatewayLargest searchable directory91,373 servers listedFree to browse; paid plan prices not public
Docker MCP CatalogContainer catalog and toolkitRunning signed servers locally300+ serversFree; Docker Desktop is paid for larger firms
ComposioAgent tool platform with MCPDevelopers building agents1,500+ toolkitsFree; Scale $29/mo plus usage
PulseMCPDirectoryTracking new servers21,833 serversFree
mcp.soCommunity directoryQuick free browsingNot publishedFree
On this page7 sections
  1. PopMCP
  2. Official MCP Registry
  3. Glama
  4. Docker MCP Catalog
  5. Composio
  6. PulseMCP
  7. mcp.so

PopMCPBest for business teams and agencies

Our product

PopMCP hosts MCP servers for business tools. You authorize a provider once and get a stable hosted MCP URL. Paste it into Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Windsurf or any client that supports remote Streamable HTTP MCP.

Best for

  • Marketers, operators and founders who use AI clients daily
  • Agencies running many client stores, ad accounts and CRMs
  • Teams that need deep coverage, like HubSpot (1,000+ tools) or QuickBooks (133 tools)

How it differs from Smithery

Smithery lists thousands of servers from many publishers. PopMCP builds, hosts and maintains 100+ business-tool integrations itself. There is one Shopify server, and we own it.

Key features

  • Categories: e-commerce, ads, analytics and SEO, finance, CRM and email, support, ops
  • Examples: Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon SP-API, Klaviyo, Meta Ads, Google Ads, GA4, Search Console, Xero, HubSpot, Stripe
  • Workspaces per client, each with its own connections and usage history
  • Credentials encrypted with AES-256-GCM and never sent to the AI client
  • Read-only teammates, an IP allowlist on Scale, SSO on request for Enterprise

Limitations

  • Much smaller catalog than Smithery. No dev tools, browsers or niche hobby servers.
  • Not a public registry. You cannot publish your own server.
  • Not an agent SDK or workflow builder.
  • No self-serve SSO. No SOC 2 report today.

Pricing

Free ($0, 2 connections, read-only). Starter $39/mo. Studio $89/mo. Scale $199/mo. Enterprise from $600/mo. Tool calls are never metered. 14-day Studio trial, no card. See pricing.

Full breakdown: PopMCP vs Smithery.

Get started free

Official MCP RegistryBest neutral server index

The open registry run by MCP contributors under the modelcontextprotocol project. Its README calls it "like an app store for MCP servers". It stores server metadata, such as names, versions and remote URLs. It does not host servers.

Best for

  • Developers who want the canonical, vendor-neutral list
  • Client builders who want to pull server data through an API
  • Server authors who want one place to publish metadata

Limitations

  • Still in preview. The README warns breaking changes or data resets may occur. The API entered a v0.1 freeze in October 2025.
  • No hosting, no OAuth handling, no UI for business users.
  • Listing is not a quality check. You still vet each server.

Pricing

Free and open source.

GlamaBest for the largest searchable directory

A large MCP directory with search, plus hosting and a gateway. On 24 September 2026 its server page showed 91,373 servers, updated the same day. Glama also runs an AI chat workspace with native MCP support.

Best for

  • Developers who want the widest search across MCP servers
  • Comparing servers by usage and recency
  • Teams that want a chat app with MCP built in

Limitations

  • Like Smithery, most listings are third-party. Quality varies.
  • More choice means more vetting for business users.
  • Pricing was not public at the time of checking.

Pricing

Free to browse, and hosted connectors are free to use. Hosting your own server costs extra, billed by machine hours and egress. Glama shows plan prices only after sign-in.

Docker MCP CatalogBest for signed servers you run locally

A curated catalog of MCP servers packaged as Docker images on Docker Hub. The Docker docs list 300+ servers. It includes servers from partners, Docker-built servers that are digitally signed, and some remote services. It works with the MCP Toolkit in Docker Desktop.

Best for

  • Developers who want isolation and fewer "works on my machine" problems
  • Security teams that want signed images and custom approved catalogs
  • Running servers on your own machine or infrastructure

Limitations

  • Marked Beta in Docker's docs.
  • Mostly local. You run the containers, so you handle uptime and updates.
  • Needs Docker installed. Not a fit for non-technical users.

Pricing

The catalog is free to browse and pull. Docker Desktop is free for personal use, education and small businesses. Firms with 250+ staff or $10 million+ revenue need a paid plan.

ComposioBest for developers building agents

A tool and auth platform for AI agents, with MCP support. It lists 1,500+ toolkits and handles OAuth for connected accounts. You use it mainly through Python or TypeScript SDKs.

Best for

  • Developers shipping agents in code
  • SaaS products where end users connect their own apps
  • Teams that need a huge app library

Limitations

  • Built for developers, not for business users in a chat client.
  • Usage-based past the free allowance.
  • No agency workspaces as a core concept.

Pricing (from composio.dev/pricing)

  • Free: $0, 100,000 tool calls/month, 3 team members
  • Scale: $29/mo including $29 usage credit, then $0.0003 per tool call
  • Enterprise: custom, with SSO and customer-managed keys

Compare it directly: PopMCP vs Composio.

PulseMCPBest for tracking new servers

An MCP server directory. Its directory lists 21,833 servers, and its page title says "updated daily". It separates official provider servers from community ones. A PulseMCP team member sits on the official MCP Registry working group.

Best for

  • Staying current on new and trending MCP servers
  • Filtering official servers from community builds
  • Research before you pick a server

Limitations

  • A directory only. No hosting, auth or connections.
  • You still install, host and secure each server yourself.
  • New server submissions are paused for now, per a site notice.

Pricing

Free to browse.

mcp.soBest for quick free browsing

A community-driven directory that collects and organizes third-party MCP servers. It lists servers only and does not host them.

Best for

  • Casual browsing and discovering new projects
  • Submitting your own server for visibility

Limitations

  • No verification, hosting or auth layer.
  • Listing quality depends on each submitter.

Pricing

Free to browse.

How to choose a Smithery alternative

Start with one question: do you want to find servers, or do you want them run for you?

  1. If you want to find servers (registry)

    • Want the neutral, canonical list?Use the official MCP Registry.
    • Want the most servers in one search?Use Glama.
    • Want to track new servers?Use PulseMCP.
    • Want a quick free list?Use mcp.so.

  2. If you want servers run for you (managed)

    • Using business tools inside Claude or ChatGPT, with no code?Use PopMCP.
    • Managing many clients or brands?Use PopMCP workspaces.
    • Building an agent in code with a huge app library?Use Composio.
    • Want signed containers on your own machine?Use Docker MCP Catalog.

Still want Smithery? Stay if you publish your own servers, rely on its CLI, or need a niche server nobody else lists. You can mix tools. For example, PopMCP for Shopify, Klaviyo and GA4, and Smithery for dev tools.

A quick checklist for any pick:

  1. Who built the server, and who fixes it when the API changes?
  2. Where are credentials stored, and do they reach the AI client?
  3. Is pricing flat or per call?
  4. Can you separate clients or teams?
  5. Is there a support contact?

New to MCP? Read MCP vs API and remote vs local MCP servers.

Smithery alternatives: common questions

What are the best Smithery alternatives?

PopMCP for managed business tools, the official MCP Registry for a neutral index, Glama for the largest directory, Docker MCP Catalog for signed local servers, and Composio for agent developers. PulseMCP and mcp.so are free directories.

Is there a free Smithery alternative?

Yes. The official MCP Registry, PulseMCP and mcp.so are free to browse. PopMCP has a free plan with 2 connections. Composio has a free tier with 100,000 tool calls a month.

What is the best MCP server registry?

For a neutral source, the official MCP Registry. For the biggest search, Glama. For curated, signed images, Docker MCP Catalog. Smithery remains a strong all-round option for developers.

What is the best Smithery alternative for business tools?

PopMCP. It builds and maintains servers for tools like Shopify, HubSpot, Klaviyo, Meta Ads, GA4 and Xero. Pricing is flat, and tool calls are never metered.

Are Smithery MCP servers safe to use?

Many are fine, but most are third-party. Smithery fixed a serious hosting flaw in June 2025. Check the publisher, the tools and the permissions before connecting business data.

Who owns Smithery?

Arcade.dev. Arcade announced the acquisition of Smithery on 5 August 2026.

Can I use Smithery and PopMCP together?

Yes. Both give remote MCP URLs, so one AI client can use both. Use PopMCP for business tools and Smithery for everything else.

Sources

15 references, checked 24 September 2026

PopMCP wrote this page. We took competitor prices and features from each vendor's own site or docs on the date above, and any third-party source is labelled. Prices change, so check the vendor before you buy.

  1. Smithery homepage (23,519+ MCPs, Arcade.dev notice)smithery.ai
  2. Smithery pricingsmithery.ai
  3. Smithery registry API (verified count, Shopify search, HubSpot tools)api.smithery.ai
  4. Arcade.dev, Smithery is now part of Arcade.dev (5 August 2026)arcade.dev
  5. GitGuardian, Breaking MCP Server Hostingblog.gitguardian.com
  6. Bawbel, We scanned 500 MCP servers on Smithery (22 May 2026)dev.to
  7. Official MCP Registryregistry.modelcontextprotocol.io
  8. MCP Registry README (preview status, API freeze, working group)github.com
  9. Glama MCP servers directoryglama.ai
  10. Docker MCP Catalog docsdocs.docker.com
  11. Docker Desktop license termsdocs.docker.com
  12. Glama MCP hostingglama.ai
  13. Composio pricingcomposio.dev
  14. PulseMCP server directorypulsemcp.com
  15. mcp.somcp.so

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