comparisonsComparisonPage
MCP vs API Gateway
Compare MCP servers and API gateways for routing, governance, agent discovery, auth, and observability.
Quick Answer / TL;DR
An API gateway manages HTTP APIs. An MCP server or gateway manages agent-facing tools, resources, prompts, permissions, and context assembly.
Key Takeaways
- API gateways route APIs.
- MCP gateways route agent capabilities.
- Enterprises may need both.
Where each fits
For production Indian enterprises, API gateways can remain at the service edge while MCP gateways sit closer to the AI client governance layer.
| Layer | API Gateway | MCP Gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Auth | HTTP/service auth | Agent/tool auth |
| Discovery | API catalog | Tools/resources/prompts |
| Audience | Apps and services | AI clients and agents |
MCP vs API Gateway FAQs
Direct answers for developers, operators, and Indian teams evaluating MCP.