MCP vs Other WordPress Automation Tools: Which One is Better? (2025)

Introduction

Over the last decade at ControlF5, I have helped businesses, bloggers, and agencies transform their websites into growth engines. One thing I see repeatedly: people underestimate how much time gets wasted on manual tasks in WordPress.

From sharing blog posts on social media to updating CRMs and sending newsletters, manual publishing workflows drain both productivity and consistency.

In 2025, automation isn’t optional; it’s essential. That’s why we often recommend MCP (Model Context Protocol) for WordPress automation.

But how does it compare to well-known solutions like Zapier, Jetpack, Uncanny Automator, or even GoHighLevel (GHL)?

This article breaks it down, based on my team’s real-world experience implementing automation for our own ControlF5 blog and for clients across industries like education, e-commerce, and healthcare.

👉 If you are brand new to MCP, I suggest starting with my Beginner’s Guide: What is MCP in WordPress?

What is MCP in WordPress?

MCP is a WordPress-first automation plugin designed to capture actions inside your website (like publishing a blog) and send those events to other tools like n8n, Zapier, or APIs.

At ControlF5, we use MCP to:

• Auto-publish blog posts to LinkedIn & Twitter.
• Trigger email campaigns for new articles.
• Update client content calendars in Google Sheets.
• Notify teams in Slack or Discord when posts go live.

It’s lightweight, flexible, and, unlike many SaaS tools, doesn’t lock you into high subscription costs.

👉 For full setup: How to Install and Use MCP Plugin

Why Compare MCP with Other Automation Tools?

Because each tool solves a different problem.

• A blogger may just need MCP to publish content automatically.
• An agency may prefer GoHighLevel to manage sales, CRM, and marketing.
• A beginner might stick with Jetpack for social sharing.
• A developer might want MCP + n8n for deep workflows.

I have worked with clients at every level, and choosing the right tool has a direct impact on ROI.

MCP vs Zapier

Zapier is a household name in automation. It’s easy to use, integrates with thousands of apps, and is great for SaaS-heavy businesses.

But here’s the reality: Zapier gets expensive quickly. Several of our clients who came to us were spending $100–$300 per month on Zapier for workflows that could easily be handled by MCP + n8n.

Zapier is great if you are automating 10+ SaaS apps. But if your world revolves around WordPress, MCP wins hands down.

Learn more in Automating Your WordPress Blog with MCP + n8n

MCP vs Jetpack Automations

Jetpack comes bundled with lots of features, backups, security, and yes, basic automation. But in our client projects, Jetpack automations are rarely enough.

For example, on the ControlF5 blog, we wanted posts to automatically share on multiple platforms and update our SEO sheet. Jetpack couldn’t do it, but MCP handled it effortlessly via n8n.

Jetpack is fine for beginners. But if you are serious about scaling your content workflows, MCP is the right choice.

MCP vs Uncanny Automator

Uncanny Automator is another WordPress automation plugin. It’s “recipe” based, easy to use, but limited when you want multi-step workflows.

Several of our education clients came to us after hitting Uncanny’s limitations. For example:

• They wanted blog posts to trigger Mailchimp campaigns, update Google Sheets, and send LinkedIn updates simultaneously.
• Uncanny Automator couldn’t handle the complexity.
• MCP + n8n did it with ease.

If you want drag-and-drop recipes, Uncanny is simpler. But if you want serious automation power, MCP is the better bet.

MCP vs GoHighLevel (GHL)

This is a comparison I love making, because it shows the real distinction between website automation and business automation.

At ControlF5, we implement both:

• MCP for WordPress workflows.
• GoHighLevel (GHL) for full business automation (CRM, SMS, pipelines, marketing funnels).

Use MCP if your bottleneck is WordPress publishing. Use GHL if you need to run your entire business pipeline.

Want to explore GHL in depth? Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to GoHighLevel for Agencies & Marketers.

When Should You Choose MCP?

From my experience, you should choose MCP if:

• Your content hub is WordPress.
• You need multi-channel publishing.
• You want automation without SaaS lock-in.
• You’re running a blog, media website, or content-driven business.

When Should You Choose Other Tools?

• Zapier → If you are SaaS-heavy and don’t mind paying.
• Jetpack → If you are a beginner who just wants basic social sharing.
• Uncanny Automator → If you want no-code “recipes” and don’t need depth.
• GoHighLevel → If you want agency-grade marketing automation (CRM, SMS, pipelines).

ControlF5 in Practice

Here’s how we use these tools in the real world:

• On the ControlF5 blog, every new post is auto-published to LinkedIn, Twitter, and our Mailchimp newsletter via MCP + n8n.
• For a healthcare client, MCP distributes new articles to LinkedIn, while GHL handles nurturing leads from those posts via SMS campaigns.
• For an e-commerce brand, we combined MCP with n8n to auto-update their promotional calendar, while Zapier was used separately to connect Shopify data.

This blend shows exactly why we don’t stick to one tool; we recommend the right tool for the right problem.

Conclusion

As the founder of ControlF5, I have seen the difference automation makes in real businesses. MCP is a fantastic solution for WordPress-first users, it’s flexible, cost-effective, and integrates beautifully with n8n.

That said, tools like Zapier, Jetpack, Uncanny Automator, and GoHighLevel each have their place. The key is knowing which one solves your bottleneck.

Final Take:

• Choose MCP for serious WordPress blog/site automation.
• Use Zapier if you are juggling many SaaS apps.
• Use Jetpack if you are a beginner.
• Use Uncanny Automator if you like plug-and-play simplicity.
• Use GoHighLevel if you want to run your entire business operation.

Next Steps:

• Learn What MCP is in WordPress
• See How to Automate Your WordPress Blog with MCP + n8n
• Compare options in Advanced MCP vs Automation Tools

Or, if you’d like expert help, book a free consultation with ControlF5. My team will map your workflows and recommend the automation stack that saves you time, reduces costs, and scales your content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How is MCP different from other WordPress automation tools?

MCP stands out because it directly integrates with n8n, allowing you to connect WordPress with hundreds of external apps. Unlike traditional plugins that only automate within WordPress, MCP enables end-to-end workflow automation across multiple platforms.

2. Is MCP more cost-effective compared to other automation plugins?

Yes. MCP is lightweight, open-source, and highly flexible. While many automation plugins require premium subscriptions for advanced features, MCP provides broader integration options at a lower cost when paired with n8n.

3. Which is easier to use, MCP or other WordPress automation tools?

For beginners, traditional automation plugins may feel simpler since they handle single tasks. However, MCP + n8n provides more control and scalability. Once set up, it becomes more efficient for bloggers, agencies, and eCommerce sites that need advanced automation.

4. Should I switch to MCP if I’m already using another automation plugin?

It depends on your needs. If you only need basic automation like post scheduling, your current plugin may be enough. But if you want advanced workflows, like syncing content with Google Sheets, auto-sharing posts to social media, or connecting with CRMs, MCP is the better choice.