MCP apps: what they are, how they work and real examples
MCP apps are MCP servers that return an interactive interface, such as a chart, form or editor, which the AI client shows inside the chat. MCP Apps is an extension to the Model Context Protocol, announced on the MCP blog on January 26, 2026.
MCP apps run in ChatGPT, Claude, VS Code and other hosts. 112 of 734 Claude connectors (15%) ship one, according to a gaintage count in October 2026.
What are MCP apps?
Three parts work together.
A normal MCP tool returns text or data. An MCP app tool also returns a UI that the user can click, edit or fill in, without leaving the chat.
- UI resource. The server returns an HTML interface along with the tool result.
- Sandboxed iframe. The host shows that UI in a locked-down frame, apart from the rest of the page.
- Two-way messages. The UI and the host talk over JSON-RPC, so user actions can go back to the model.
MCP apps vs MCP servers
| MCP server | MCP app | |
|---|---|---|
| Returns | Text and data | Text, data and an interactive UI |
| Where shown | As text in the chat | As a live interface inside the chat |
| Build effort | Lower | Higher: you also build and test a UI |
| Use when | A text answer is enough | The user needs to see, edit or pick something |
An MCP app is an MCP server that also returns a UI. Most MCP servers return only text and data. See the difference between a connector and MCP for how connectors fit in. If you ship an MCP app, get it found in every directory.
How MCP apps work
Four steps from prompt to UI.
- The model calls a tool. The user asks for something, and the model picks a tool from your server.
- The server returns a UI resource. Along with the result, it sends the interface to show.
- The host renders it in a sandbox. ChatGPT or Claude shows the UI in a safe frame in the chat.
- The user acts, and results go back. Clicks and edits flow back to the model, which can continue the task.
Can I run MCP apps inside ChatGPT? And Claude?
Yes, in both. In ChatGPT, plugins built on MCP can return interactive UI in the chat. In Claude, connectors that show a live interface carry an Interactive badge in the directory.
Which apps have MCP apps? 15 real examples
The most popular Claude connectors with an interactive UI.
| App | Category | What the connector does (its own tagline) |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | Creative | Search, create, autofill, and export Canva designs |
| Figma | Creative | Generate diagrams and better code from Figma context |
| HubSpot | Sales and marketing | CRM context for every answer, insight, and action |
| Asana | Communication | Connect to Asana to coordinate tasks, projects, and goals |
| Adobe | Creative | Design, combine, and edit with Adobe pro tools |
| Miro | Communication | Access and create new content on Miro boards |
| Spotify | Productivity | Music and podcast recommendations, just for you |
| Shopify | Commerce and shopping | Build, manage, and analyze your Shopify store |
| Lucid | Productivity | Ideate, diagram, and align teams |
| Datadog | Developer tools | Debug and resolve issues using Datadog telemetry |
| Supermetrics | Data and analytics | Google Ads, Facebook Ads, Google Analytics and 200+ sources |
| Dropbox | Creative | Search, organize, and take action on your Dropbox content |
| vidIQ | Creative | Research and create for YouTube, Instagram and TikTok |
| Excalidraw | Productivity | Create interactive hand-drawn diagrams in Excalidraw |
| Intuit QuickBooks | Data and analytics | Business finances made simple |
How many apps ship an MCP app?
112 of 734 Claude connectors (15%) ship an MCP app, according to gaintage's October 2026 count. Education (63%), travel (56%), creative (53%) and commerce (50%) connectors ship one most often. Communication connectors ship one least often (9%).
| Category | Connectors | With MCP app | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Productivity | 308 | 65 | 21% |
| Data and analytics | 170 | 20 | 12% |
| Financial services | 113 | 12 | 11% |
| Sales and marketing | 99 | 19 | 19% |
| Developer tools | 92 | 9 | 10% |
| Communication | 55 | 5 | 9% |
| Legal | 39 | 4 | 10% |
| Creative | 30 | 16 | 53% |
| Commerce and shopping | 22 | 11 | 50% |
| Education | 19 | 12 | 63% |
| Travel | 9 | 5 | 56% |
A connector can have several categories, so rows add up to more than 734. For the full numbers, see our Claude connectors statistics and the most popular Claude connectors.
Should you build an MCP app?
It depends on what users need to see.
- Yes, if the output is visual. Designs, charts, maps, forms and editors work better as UI than as text.
- No, if text is enough. Lookups, summaries and simple actions do not need a UI.
- Watch out. UI adds context size and more testing. Claude's directory also asks for 3 to 5 screenshots of the UI.
Getting your MCP app found
An MCP app still has to be picked. Its name, tagline and tool descriptions decide when ChatGPT or Claude uses it. Shipping one? Make your MCP app easy to find in every directory. gaintage tracks your position in each store and the prompts that bring your app into chats.
Frequently asked questions
Are ChatGPT apps just MCP servers?
Mostly. ChatGPT plugins with tools are built on MCP servers, and many also return UI like an MCP app. Read what ChatGPT plugins are.
Can you give an example of an MCP app?
Canva's Claude connector is one. It shows an editable design inside the chat.
Are MCP apps secure?
The UI runs in a sandboxed frame, apart from the host page, and talks only through set messages. Stores also review apps before listing.
What is the difference between MCP and MCP apps?
MCP is the protocol for tools and data. MCP Apps is an extension that adds interactive UI to those tools.