MCP Inspector

● Identity checked

Code · Vendor site 2026-10-04

MCP Inspector is the reference developer tool for testing and debugging Model Context Protocol servers through web, CLI, and TUI clients shipped in one npm package. It helps builders connect to stdio or remote servers, inspect protocol traffic, and debug OAuth and transport configuration consistently across clients.

Updated 2026-10-04View sources

Official website

Category: Code
Free access: Inspector runs via npx with no vendor subscription; Node 22.19.0 or newer is required.
API access: Not confirmed

Is MCP Inspector right for you?

A good fit for

Developers building or integrating MCP servers who need interactive debugging across browser, terminal, and scriptable CLI workflows.

Before you choose

The tool requires Node 22.19.0 or newer and is distributed as open developer tooling rather than a hosted SaaS plan.

Reference MCP debugging tool

The MCP Inspector documentation describes interactive tooling to test MCP servers in the browser, on the command line, or in a terminal UI with shared connection behavior.

What it can do

Features & capabilities

Unknown is different from unavailable. Each fact carries its own evidence.

Capability	Value	Evidence	Checked
Multi-client package	Documentation lists Web, CLI, and TUI clients behind the @modelcontextprotocol/inspector binary.	Facts sourced	2026-10-04
Quickstart command	Docs show launching the web UI with npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector against a local stdio server.	Facts sourced	2026-10-04
Shared core behavior	All three clients share transports, configuration files, OAuth state, and protocol-era negotiation.	Facts sourced	2026-10-04

Understand the total cost

MCP Inspector pricing & plans

Free

Inspector runs via npx with no vendor subscription; Node 22.19.0 or newer is required.

Access: Inspector runs via npx with no vendor subscription; Node 22.19.0 or newer is required.

Explore pricing & history

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The practical questions

Frequently asked questions

What is MCP Inspector used for?

Does MCP Inspector have a free plan?

Inspector runs via npx with no vendor subscription; Node 22.19.0 or newer is required.. This record lists ongoing free access; check the plan limits before starting.

How much does MCP Inspector cost?

No paid monthly price is listed; this record treats the product as free to start. See the plan cards for entitlements, billing commitments and seat minimums.

Can I use MCP Inspector through an API?

Not confirmed. API access and subscription access may have different terms; consult the linked sources.

What should I check before choosing it?

The tool requires Node 22.19.0 or newer and is distributed as open developer tooling rather than a hosted SaaS plan.

Price history

No retained pricing changes yet. A current price alone does not establish a historical trend.

How this profile is supported

Identity and profile

Reviewed vendor source

Read original source ↗

2026-10-04

Facts apply to the named version and check date. Send a sourced correction if something changed.