# FastMCP

> Apache-2.0 framework to build MCP servers/clients/apps

**Category:** AI Agents  
**Pricing:** open-source  
**URL:** https://gofastmcp.com  
**GitHub:** https://github.com/PrefectHQ/fastmcp  
**Added:** 2026-09-08

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## The Hook

FastMCP is the Python framework for building MCP applications — not a catalog of live MCP servers you install.

## What's Good

Apache-2.0 (Prefect). @mcp.tool → schema, validation, transports (stdio/streamable-http). Servers, clients, and interactive apps in one API. Powers a large share of Python MCP servers; TypeScript sibling exists. Horizon is the optional paid enterprise gateway for registry/SSO/RBAC — not required to build.

## The Catch

Build MCP apps ≠ use live MCP servers. Distinct from Playwright MCP / Context7 / Serena (capability servers) and from SuperGateway (transport glue). Horizon paid optional for ops at scale; day-one path is OSS FastMCP alone.

## Verdict

Apache-2.0 MCP framework. Ship servers with it; do not confuse it with a tool marketplace.