Comparing Integration Approaches

Aspect	MCP (Open Standard)	Bespoke Integration	Plugin-Based System
Interoperability	High - works across models and tools	Low - tied to specific systems	Medium - works within platform ecosystem
Development Effort	Build once, use anywhere	High per-integration effort	Moderate per-platform effort
Tool Usage Flexibility	Very flexible - dynamic discovery	Rigid - pre-defined tools	Limited to platform capabilities
Modularity & Reuse	Highly modular	Low reuse	Some modularity within platform
Performance	Some protocol overhead	Efficient for single tasks	Varies by implementation
Security & Control	Requires careful design	Full control	Managed by platform
Ecosystem & Vendor	Open and growing	No shared ecosystem	Platform-specific

This comparison highlights that MCP offers significant advantages for interoperability, modularity, and ecosystem growth, while requiring more attention to security and performance considerations than some alternatives.