Claude Code vs Claude Desktop for MCP servers
Claude Code and Claude Desktop differ in 6 of 10 facts: kind, runs on, price, headers for remote servers, server config, servers that work in it.
| Fact | Claude Code | Claude Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | Anthropic | Anthropic |
| Kind | Terminal, Editor extension, Desktop app, Web app | Desktop app |
| Runs on | macOS, Windows, Linux, Web | macOS, Windows, Linux |
| Price | Paid | Free plan |
| Licence | Not stated | Not stated |
| Connects to | Local (stdio), Remote (HTTP), Remote (SSE) | Local (stdio), Remote (HTTP), Remote (SSE) |
| Headers for remote servers | Yes | No |
| Server config | Set up in the app | claude_desktop_config.json (Settings › Developer › Edit Config) |
| Servers that work in it | 123,011 | 119,761 |
| What we checked | Matches the official docs | Matches the official docs |
| Add a server | In Claude Code | In Claude Desktop |
From each client's own documentation and site, as linked on its page. The server counts are today's install configs that work in each.