# github-mcp-server vs serena
_MCP Servers · independent comparison_

> github-mcp-server and serena are both open-source mcp servers you can self-host for free. github-mcp-server is written primarily in Go; serena in Python. Neither is universally better — pick by fit.

## Side by side

**github-mcp-server**
- Open source · MCP server · 32k★ · Go · MIT · active 3 days ago
- Best for: Connecting MCP clients like Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub repos, issues, and PRs — the official server.
- Avoid if: You need write-heavy automation beyond what the API surface exposes.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/github-mcp-server) · [official](https://github.com/github/github-mcp-server)

**serena**
- Open source · SDK / library · 27k★ · Python · MIT · active today
- Best for: Giving a coding agent symbol-level code navigation, refactoring, and debugging via MCP.
- [listing](https://agentsearchengine.app/agents/serena) · [official](https://oraios.github.io/serena)

## Key differences

- github-mcp-server is written primarily in Go; serena in Python.

## Which to choose

**Choose github-mcp-server if:** Connecting MCP clients like Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub repos, issues, and PRs — the official server.

**Choose serena if:** Giving a coding agent symbol-level code navigation, refactoring, and debugging via MCP.

## FAQ

**What's the main difference between github-mcp-server and serena?**
github-mcp-server is written primarily in Go; serena in Python.

**Is github-mcp-server or serena better?**
Neither is universally better. github-mcp-server is the stronger fit for Connecting MCP clients like Claude Code or Cursor to GitHub repos, issues, and PRs — the official server; serena for Giving a coding agent symbol-level code navigation, refactoring, and debugging via MCP. Use the side-by-side specs to decide by your own constraints.

**Is github-mcp-server or serena free?**
github-mcp-server is free to run and self-host; serena is free to run and self-host. Both are free to self-host — you only pay for the infrastructure and any model or API usage.

**Which is more popular, github-mcp-server or serena?**
By GitHub stars — a proxy for open-source adoption — github-mcp-server is ahead (32k vs 27k). Stars measure attention, not necessarily the better fit for you.

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Source: [Agent Search Engine](https://agentsearchengine.app) — https://agentsearchengine.app/compare/github-mcp-server-vs-serena