Reference
MCP — the Model Context Protocol — is the standard an AI assistant uses to call outside tools. An eBay MCP server exposes eBay's APIs as tools the assistant can use: fetching orders, reading fees, updating a listing. You don't need to understand the protocol to use one; it's the plumbing.
A local server means: registering with the eBay Developers Program and waiting for review, generating a Client ID and Secret, installing Node.js, running an install command, editing a JSON config file, and completing an OAuth flow by pasting an authorisation code. It also means the server only works while your computer is on.
A hosted server means clicking a link and signing in with eBay.
| Server | Type | Price | Writes? | Developer account? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haulbound | Hosted | $19/mo | Yes (3 tools) | No |
| ebay-mcp (open source) | Local | Free | Yes (~300 tools) | Yes |
| eBay official MCP | Local | Free | No — read only | Yes |
| CData eBay connector | Local / cloud | From $499/yr | Partial | Yes |
Compared August 2026 from each vendor's own documentation. Prices are list prices on that date — check the linked pages, they change.
Yes — eBay published one in January 2026. It runs locally over stdio and is read-only: it's designed for developers exploring eBay's APIs, not for running a store. It cannot mark an order shipped or change a price.
If you write code and want maximum coverage, the open-source project is free and capable. If you sell on eBay and want to ask questions and make changes without becoming an eBay developer, that's what Haulbound does. Full comparison here, including where Haulbound loses.