I tried four ways to gate my MCP server. Only one didn't need a Stripe account.
A developer compared four methods for gating access to MCP servers, aiming to prevent unauthorized agent usage and manage costs. PayGated offers a Stripe-integrated solution suitable for businesses within Stripe's ecosystem but requires extensive KYC for both provider and user. APort and AgentSign focus on identity verification and provenance rather than direct payment or rate-limiting, serving as complementary tools for multi-agent systems. The author's own project, captcha-mcp, provides a free proof-of-work option or a low-cost Lightning Network payment for bypassing the work, without requiring any accounts or KYC. AI
IMPACT Provides practical solutions for managing costs and preventing abuse of AI agent interactions.