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Anthropic is the company that created the Model Context Protocol (MCP), the open standard that lets AI apps connect to outside tools and data. It donated MCP to a neutral foundation in December 2025 and now supports it as a client across Claude, Claude Code, Claude Desktop and the Claude API.
Checked against: Anthropic's MCP launch announcement on 28 October 2026. eSEOspace did not test Anthropic's products.
Key Takeaways
- Anthropic open-sourced MCP on 25 November 2024, with the spec, SDKs, local server support in Claude Desktop and a repository of servers.
- On 9 December 2025, Anthropic donated MCP to the Agentic AI Foundation (AAIF), which it co-founded with Block and OpenAI.
- Claude connects to remote MCP servers as "connectors" on claude.ai, Claude Desktop, Claude mobile, Cowork and Claude Code.
- Developers can also call remote MCP servers from the Claude API through the MCP connector, which is in beta and supports tool calls only.
- Custom connectors are available on every Claude plan, including Free, which is limited to one.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Anthropic |
| What it offers for MCP | Original creator of the protocol; MCP clients in Claude apps, Claude Code, Claude Desktop extensions and the Claude API |
| Who it's for | Claude users, businesses on Team or Enterprise plans, developers and MCP server builders |
| Open source? | MCP itself is open source; Claude apps are commercial products |
| Pricing | Claude Free $0; Pro $20/month monthly; Max from $100/month; Team and Enterprise per seat |
What Anthropic offers for MCP
The protocol and the donation
Anthropic's launch post called MCP "a new standard for connecting AI assistants to the systems where data lives."
A year later, Anthropic donated MCP to the Agentic AI Foundation, a directed fund under the Linux Foundation. Anthropic, Block and OpenAI co-founded it. Anthropic said it is "continuing to invest in MCP's growth." Our explainer on who owns MCP covers the foundation in detail.
Anthropic people still hold key roles. The AAIF About page lists David Soria Parra of Anthropic as chair of the Technical Committee and Linzy McCartney of Anthropic on the Governing Board.
Connectors in Claude
In Claude, an MCP server shows up as a "connector." According to Anthropic's guide to building MCP servers for Claude, Claude connects from claude.ai, Claude Desktop, Claude mobile, Cowork and Claude Code. People can add a server in three ways:
- Custom connector: a user or organization Owner enters the server URL, with no review by Anthropic.
- Directory: Anthropic lists the server after review, so people can find it inside Claude.
- Plugin: the server is bundled with skills that teach Claude how to use it.
Claude supports tools, prompts and resources, but not yet resource subscriptions or sampling. Servers can also show interactive UI through MCP Apps.
Claude Desktop extensions
For local servers, Anthropic uses MCP Bundles (.mcpb files). The desktop extension docs describe a zip archive holding a local server and a manifest, which Claude Desktop installs "in a single click."
Claude Code
Claude Code's MCP docs call HTTP "the recommended option for connecting to remote MCP servers." Local stdio servers work too. Teams can share servers in a .mcp.json file, and admins can restrict servers with managed settings. Our Claude Code development team sets this up for businesses.
The Claude API MCP connector
The MCP connector docs say developers can "connect to remote MCP servers directly from the Messages API without a separate MCP client." It is in beta, supports tool calls only, and needs a server reachable over HTTP.
Who it's for
- Business users who want Claude to work with tools such as a CRM.
- IT leads on Team or Enterprise plans who control which connectors staff add.
- Developers using Claude Code or the Claude API.
- Server builders who want a listing in Claude's directory.
Pricing
MCP itself is free and open source. Claude's plans are priced on Claude's pricing page, checked 28 October 2026:
| Plan | Price | MCP-related notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Connectors and desktop extensions; no Claude Code |
| Pro | $20/month monthly, or $17/month billed annually | Adds Claude Code |
| Max | From $100/month | Includes everything in Pro |
| Team | $25/seat/month monthly ($20 annually); Premium $125 monthly ($100 annually) | "Admin controls for remote and local connectors" |
| Enterprise | $20/seat/month billed annually plus usage at API rates | Team features plus network-level access control |
Anthropic's help center adds that "Free users are limited to one custom connector." On Team plans, only Owners and Primary Owners can add custom connectors. The pricing page lists no separate fee for the API MCP connector.
Security and trust
Anthropic's help center warns that "malicious MCP servers may include hidden instructions that try to make Claude perform unintended actions." It advises using only trusted servers and disabling tools you don't need.
Custom connectors are not reviewed by Anthropic; directory connectors are. Claude Code asks for approval before using project-scoped servers from a .mcp.json file. Its docs also warn that servers fetching outside content "can expose you to prompt injection risk." Our guide to MCP security risks explains these threats.
Alternatives
- OpenAI and MCP: ChatGPT, Codex and the Responses API as MCP clients.
- Google and MCP: MCP in Gemini CLI and Gemini Enterprise.
- The best MCP clients: a side-by-side comparison of AI apps that connect to MCP servers.
Next step
If your team uses Claude, start with one read-only custom connector. For a wider view of the companies shaping MCP, browse our MCP company spotlights. If you need a server built for your own product, see our MCP development service.
Frequently asked questions
Does Anthropic still own MCP?
No. Anthropic donated MCP to the Agentic AI Foundation on 9 December 2025. It co-founded the foundation, and an Anthropic employee chairs its Technical Committee.
Can I use MCP on Claude's free plan?
Yes. Anthropic's help center says custom connectors work on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans. Free users are limited to one custom connector. Claude Code is not part of the Free plan.
What is the difference between a custom connector and a directory connector?
A custom connector is any server you add by URL, with no review by Anthropic. A directory connector has been reviewed and listed by Anthropic. Both run on the same infrastructure.
Can the Claude API use MCP servers?
Yes, through the MCP connector, in beta as of October 2026. It connects to remote servers over HTTP, supports tool calls only and cannot reach local stdio servers directly.
