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Short answer

MCP is a protocol for connecting AI tools to external tools, data sources, and context. API Key and Base URL are model request authentication and routing settings. MCP answers: what tools and data can the agent use? API Key / Base URL answers: where do model requests go and how are they authenticated? Configuring MCP does not configure the model API. Configuring a model API does not automatically give the tool external system access.

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Comparison

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When people mix them up

  • They think MCP changes the model.
  • They think changing Base URL connects local tools.
  • They treat an MCP server as a model provider.
  • They put a model API Key into MCP configuration.
  • They do not know whether a tool expects OpenAI-compatible or Anthropic-compatible API.

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How to decide

If you want an agent to access a database, browser, filesystem, internal system, or extra tool, look at MCP. If you want to switch model, gateway, billing account, or provider, look at API Key, Base URL, and protocol. If a workflow needs both a model switch and external tools, configure both layers and review permissions separately.

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About BetterToken

BetterToken is the model API layer, not an MCP server. It handles API Key, Base URL, model routing, and usage records. You can use BetterToken and MCP together: BetterToken handles model requests, while MCP handles tool and context extension.

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References