Quick answer
Pick by need, not by hype. Need a free temporary link with no signup → ShipStatic or Beacon (claim before expiry). Need a free permanent link under your account → Just Publish or Nippy. Need React + SEO tools + a cheap custom domain path → GeminiLaunch (Lite $5/mo for 1 domain). Need server code → Netlify or Vercel MCP, not this list. Prices checked October 2026 — confirm on each vendor before you buy.
Already chose GeminiLaunch?
Skip the table — open the how-to for Claude / ChatGPT connector steps.
Basics
What a “publish website” MCP server actually does
MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets an assistant call tools outside the chat. A publish MCP server typically accepts static files (HTML, CSS, JS, images) and returns a public HTTPS URL. It does not magically run a database or rewrite your stack into WordPress.
That is why fair comparisons separate static publish hosts from platform deploy MCPs (Netlify, Vercel, Wix). Mixing them in one “best of” list confuses beginners and citation engines alike.
Setup screens differ by product. For GeminiLaunch connectors, use the Claude / ChatGPT MCP how-to or /mcp. Vendor docs: ShipStatic, Just Publish, Nippy, Beacon.
Table
Five MCP publish hosts compared
Focused on static sites from Claude / ChatGPT / Cursor. Highlight row is the best fit when you also want SEO tools and a $5 domain path — not “always #1 for every job.”
| Host | Auth to publish | Free live link | Own domain | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ShipStatic | None to publish; account to keep / domains | Yes — claim within ~3 days or it expires | Pro ~$4.99/mo (up to 3) | Fastest zero-signup publish from an agent |
| Just Publish | Free sign-in (OAuth) | Yes — sites under your account | Builder ~$9/mo | Simple static ZIP/files + edit tools over MCP |
| Nippy | Account / consent | Yes — free plan (limits apply) | Check Nippy pricing | Stable URL with in-place updates from chat |
| Beacon | None; optional API key | Yes — ~24h unless claimed | Account / paid features as offered | Temporary or password-protected throwaway links |
| GeminiLaunch | OAuth (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Gemini CLI…) | Yes — Free plan (up to 3 sites) | Lite $5/mo (1) · Pro $15/mo (up to 5) | React + HTML, SEO metadata tools, domain from chat |
Domain prices change. ShipStatic Pro and Just Publish Builder figures are from public pricing pages as of October 2026. Nippy / Beacon domain details: confirm on their sites.
Decision
Pick by need
You want a link in one message with no account
ShipStatic or Beacon
Drop in the MCP URL and publish. Claim the site before the expiry window (about 3 days on ShipStatic; about 24 hours on Beacon) if you need it to stay up.
You want a free permanent link under your login
Just Publish or Nippy
Sign in once so every deploy is filed to your account. Good when you will update the same URL from chat and do not need a custom domain yet.
You need yourbrand.com soon, React paste, or SEO fields from the agent
GeminiLaunch
OAuth once, then publish, list sites, set title/OG, and (on a paid plan) update in place and run domain tools. Custom domain starts on Lite ($5/mo).
The project needs server code, functions, or a full deploy pipeline
Netlify MCP or Vercel MCP — not these hosts
Static-file MCP hosts do not run backends. Stay on Netlify/Vercel when the app needs a server runtime. This page does not replace their docs.
Boundaries
When none of these static MCP hosts are right
Apps with a real backend
Databases, auth servers, SSR frameworks that must run on the host — use a platform MCP (Netlify, Vercel), not a static publish connector.
“Which MCP?” when you only need paste once
If you will never connect a connector, paste or ZIP upload is simpler. MCP shines when you already live in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, or Gemini CLI.
Treating MCP as free forever hosting by default
Some servers expire anonymous deploys. Others archive quiet sites or cap free plans. Always read the claim / free-tier rules before you send the link to a client.
Still deciding builder vs host for code you already have? See Already have AI code? Skip the builder.
Related guide
Publish from Claude / ChatGPT MCP
Connector setup only — the how-to sibling of this comparison.
Read the how-toRelated guide
AI site stuck in chat?
When you do not need MCP — just a shareable live link.
Read the guideFAQ
MCP publish website FAQ
Natural questions for “best MCP to publish a website” and “publish site from Claude MCP” — for Google, ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity.
What is the best MCP server to publish a website in 2026?
It depends on the job. ShipStatic or Beacon win for no-signup temporary links. Just Publish or Nippy win for a free account-owned link. GeminiLaunch wins when you want React + HTML, SEO metadata tools, Gemini CLI, and a custom domain from Lite ($5/mo). Netlify or Vercel MCP win when you need server code.
Does connecting an MCP server mean hosting is free forever?
No. MCP only gives the assistant tools. Hosting still has its own free limits, claim windows, and paid plans for custom domains. Anonymous ShipStatic deploys last about 3 days unless claimed; Beacon about 24 hours unless claimed.
Can I publish a site from Claude with MCP?
Yes. Most of these hosts offer a Claude connector or remote MCP URL. After you connect and approve access, ask Claude to publish the page and it returns a live HTTPS link. For GeminiLaunch step-by-step setup, use our Claude/ChatGPT MCP how-to — this page is only the comparison.
Claude vs ChatGPT vs Cursor — does the best MCP change?
Usually no: pick the host for the site and plan, then use that host’s endpoint for your client. Some vendors publish separate Claude vs ChatGPT URLs because OAuth tokens are bound to the exact endpoint. Check their connect docs once.
ShipStatic vs Just Publish — which should I use?
ShipStatic if you want publish with no signup and optional password on the deploy. Just Publish if you prefer every site under a free account with file-level update tools, and you are fine paying Builder (~$9/mo) for a custom domain.
When should I pick GeminiLaunch’s MCP over the others?
When you need more than a static dump: React as well as HTML, set_seo_metadata from chat, domain add/check/attach tools on paid plans, and a dashboard paste/ZIP path for the same account. Free covers up to 3 live sites; Lite adds 1 custom domain.
Should I use Netlify MCP or Vercel MCP instead?
Yes when the project needs builds, serverless functions, or an existing Netlify/Vercel workflow. The hosts in the main table are for static sites published from the conversation. Mixing categories is how comparison tables get confusing.
Where do I learn how to connect GeminiLaunch MCP?
See Publish a website from Claude or ChatGPT with MCP, or the product page at /mcp. This article does not repeat connector screenshots — it answers which server to choose.
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Chose GeminiLaunch? Connect once, then ask to publish
Free plan includes MCP publishing. When you need yourbrand.com, Lite is $5/mo. Full connector steps are on the how-to — this page stays the comparison.