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MCP vs. A2A
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- @steven_n_t
MCP vs. A2A
Two days ago Google announced an open A2A (Agent2Agent) protocol in an attempt to normalise how we implement multi-Agent system communication.
As always, social media is going crazy about it, but why?
Let's review the differences and how both protocols complement each other (read till the end).
Moving pieces in MCP:
- MCP Host - Programs using LLMs at the core that want to access data through MCP.
! When combined with A2A, an Agent becomes MCP Host.
- MCP Client - Clients that maintain 1:1 connections with servers.
- MCP Server - Lightweight programs that each expose specific capabilities through the standardized Model Context Protocol.
- Local Data Sources - Your computer's files, databases, and services that MCP servers can securely access.
- Remote Data Sources - External systems available over the internet (e.g., through APIs) that MCP servers can connect to.
Enter A2A:
Where MCP falls short, A2A tries to help. In multi-Agent applications where state is not necessarily shared
- Agents (MCP Hosts) would implement and communicate via A2A protocol, that enables:
-> Secure Collaboration - MCP lacks authentication. -> Task and State Management. -> User Experience Negotiation. -> Capability discovery - similar to MCP tools.
Honest thoughts:
! I believe creators of MCP were planning to implement similar capabilities to A2A and expose agents via tools in long term. ! We might just see a fight around who will win and become the standard protocol long term as both protocols might be expanding.
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