ToolHive

What is ToolHive?

ToolHive is an open-source (Apache 2.0) platform from Stacklok for running and managing Model Context Protocol servers and agent skills. Each MCP server runs in an isolated container, and you can manage them from a desktop app, a command-line tool called thv, or a Kubernetes operator for shared deployments. A registry of vetted official and community MCP servers lets you pick servers to install or add your own, while a gateway called the Virtual MCP Server puts many backend servers behind a single endpoint and centralizes authentication, authorization and tool filtering. The site says embedded semantic tool search reduces token use by 85%. ToolHive supports clients such as Claude Code, Cursor and GitHub Copilot, and it runs entirely inside your own infrastructure with no SaaS dependency. It was built by Stacklok and is maintained with Red Hat. ToolHive is free; Stacklok Enterprise is a separate paid distribution that adds Okta and Entra ID integrations, hardened images and SLA-backed support.

Use cases

• Run MCP servers in isolated containers
• Browse and install vetted MCP servers
• Aggregate many MCP servers behind one endpoint
• Deploy MCP servers on Kubernetes for a team
• Filter and authorize tools centrally
• Manage agent skills across clients

Who it's for

• Developers
• Platform engineers
• AI enablement teams
• Enterprises

Why use ToolHive

• Containers isolate each MCP server, which limits what a misbehaving server can reach.
• One gateway endpoint saves clients from juggling many URLs and credentials.
• Runs in your own infrastructure, which suits data residency and air-gapped requirements.
• Free open-source core with a clear upgrade path to Stacklok Enterprise.

ToolHive features

• Isolated container runtime for each MCP server
• Desktop app for macOS, Windows and Linux
• thv command-line tool installed with Homebrew or WinGet
• Kubernetes operator for shared deployments
• Registry of vetted official and community MCP servers
• Virtual MCP Server gateway with composite workflows
• Semantic tool search to cut token use
• Centralized authentication, authorization and tool filtering
• Registry server for team and enterprise catalogs

ToolHive integrations

• Claude Code
• Cursor
• GitHub Copilot
• Okta
• Grafana
• Splunk
• Datadog
• New Relic
• Kubernetes

How to get started with ToolHive

1. Download the desktop app or install the thv CLI with Homebrew or WinGet.
2. Browse the registry and start an MCP server, which ToolHive runs in an isolated container.
3. Connect your AI client, such as Claude Code or Cursor, to the running server.
4. For teams, deploy the Kubernetes operator and add the Virtual MCP Server gateway.
5. Apply authentication, authorization and tool filtering at the gateway.

ToolHive limitations

• A standalone CLI install conflicts with the CLI managed by the desktop app
• Okta and Entra ID integrations, hardened images and SLA support come with Stacklok Enterprise, not the open-source project
• Community support only for the open-source edition, through GitHub and Discord

ToolHive pricing

ToolHive is open source, so you can use and self-host it for free.

ToolHive plans

• ToolHive

  Free

  Apache 2.0

  • Desktop app, CLI and Kubernetes operator
  • Registry of vetted MCP servers
  • Community support

• Stacklok Enterprise

  Price on vendor site

  • Okta and Entra ID integrations
  • Hardened container images
  • Backported security patches
  • SLA-backed support

Plans as listed on the official pricing page on 24 Oct 2026. Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

ToolHive alternatives

The main ToolHive alternatives listed on Debuly are Kong AI Gateway, Composio, Arcade, MCP.so, MCP Market and Agent Skills. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

1. 

   Agent Skills

   Open standard for packaging instructions, scripts and references in a SKILL.md folder that AI agents load on demand.

   Developer platformsAutomation and agentsCoding
   Open sourceVisit Agent Skills (official site)
2. 

   Arcade

   Actions runtime that lets AI agents call tools in Gmail, Slack, Salesforce and more under each user's own permissions.

   Developer platformsAutomation and agents
   FreemiumVisit Arcade (official site)
3. 

   Composio

   Developer platform with SDKs, CLI and MCP that gives AI agents 1000+ pre-authenticated app toolkits and per-user sessions.

   Developer platformsAutomation and agents
   Visit Composio (official site)
4. 

   Kong AI Gateway

   Gateway and control layer for LLM, MCP and agent traffic, with usage metering, billing and cost limits built in.

   Developer platformsAutomation and agents
   Contact salesVisit Kong AI Gateway (official site)
5. 

   MCP Market

   Directory and hosted hub for MCP servers and agent skills, with toolkits that connect Claude, Cursor and other AI clients to your tools.

   Developer platformsAutomation and agentsCoding
   FreemiumVisit MCP Market (official site)
6. 

   MCP.so

   Free directory of MCP servers, clients, skills and CLI tools, with setup guides for linking Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor and other AI apps to outside services.

   Developer platformsAutomation and agentsResearch and search
   FreeVisit MCP.so (official site)

ToolHive FAQ

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

Image credits

• Logo: from stacklok.com · fetched 24 Oct 2026 · Vendor trademark, used only to identify the product; removed on request
• Cover: none collected yet, so a generated tile is shown.

Spot an error? Report an issue with this listing. We also remove a logo or image on the owner's request.