MCPCore vs AWS Bedrock AgentCore Gateway: Which One Do You Need?
AgentCore Gateway turns existing AWS APIs and Lambda functions into MCP tools for teams already on AWS. MCPCore is a standalone platform for writing and hosting MCP servers directly. Here is the real difference.
AWS Bedrock AgentCore Gateway and MCPCore solve related problems from different starting points. AgentCore Gateway is built to expose infrastructure you already have on AWS as MCP tools. MCPCore is built for writing and hosting MCP tools directly, independent of any cloud provider.
What AgentCore Gateway Actually Offers
AgentCore Gateway can turn existing APIs and Lambda functions into MCP tools with minimal custom code, and includes built-in inbound and outbound authorization along with serverless scaling. AWS added support for the 2026-07-28 MCP specification through a documented configuration update, so it's actively maintained against the current spec. AgentCore Runtime separately supports stateful MCP features like elicitation, sampling, and progress notifications.
This is a strong option specifically for teams that already have APIs and Lambda functions running on AWS and want to expose them as MCP tools without rebuilding them elsewhere.
What MCPCore Offers Instead
MCPCore isn't tied to exposing existing AWS infrastructure. You write tools directly in a browser-based IDE using plain JavaScript, call any REST API or database with built-in SDK helpers, and the server is hosted independently of any cloud provider you may or may not already use. Four authentication modes, encrypted secrets, and analytics are included by default.
Side by Side
| AWS Bedrock AgentCore Gateway | MCPCore | |
|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Exposing existing AWS APIs/Lambda as tools | Writing new tools from scratch |
| Cloud dependency | AWS specifically | None, standalone platform |
| Tool authoring | Wraps existing code | Browser IDE, write tools directly |
| Authentication | Built-in inbound/outbound authorization | 4 modes, switchable per server |
| Best for teams that... | Already run AWS infrastructure | Want to build MCP tools without cloud lock-in |
When AgentCore Gateway Makes Sense
If your team already has APIs and Lambda functions on AWS and wants to expose them as MCP tools with minimal rework, AgentCore Gateway is purpose-built for exactly that, and stays current with the latest MCP spec.
When MCPCore Makes Sense
If you're writing new tools rather than exposing existing AWS infrastructure, or you want a platform that isn't tied to a specific cloud provider, MCPCore's browser-based builder and hosting get you to a working tool without any AWS-specific setup.
Get started free or see our MCP server builder for how tool creation works.
AWS product details reflect information available as of mid-2026. Verify current features and pricing directly with AWS before making infrastructure decisions.