# Cost and vendor questions

Lesson 4 of [Evaluate an MCP server before you connect it](https://mcpdirectory.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-mcp-server.md), 12 minutes.

A free package is not a free workflow. A connection can use a local process or a remote service, and either can call a paid API. Your AI client can also charge for model use. Write the budget as a sum client or model charge + server charge + upstream API charge + hosting + support effort. Add storag…

The rest of this lesson is for learners enrolled in the course. [See how Evaluate an MCP server before you connect it works](https://mcpdirectory.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-mcp-server.md).

Also on the [web page](https://mcpdirectory.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-mcp-server/cost-and-vendor-questions).