Brightdata MCP vs Light: Download + OCR
A side-by-side look at the Brightdata MCP and Light: Download + OCR MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Brightdata MCP for search & data extraction work as a local process; choose Light: Download + OCR for search & data extraction over a hosted endpoint. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Brightdata MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
API_TOKEN. - You want tools like
search_engine, scrape_as_markdown, search_engine_batch.
Choose Light: Download + OCR when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
- You prefer a remote HTTP/SSE transport.
- You want tools like
contas_light_download_ocr_consultar, show_version, report_bug.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Search & Data Extraction | Search & Data Extraction |
| Quality signal | 73/100 · Great | 55/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Remote HTTP/SSE |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Freemium | Not declared |
| Required env vars | API_TOKEN | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 2,686 | 0 |
| Directory activity | 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 1 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 11 | 7 |
| Full listing | View Brightdata MCP | View Light: Download + OCR |
Tools & capabilities
Brightdata MCP tools 11
search_engineScrape search results from Google, Bing or Yandex. Returns SERP results in JSON or Markdown (URL, title, description),Ideal forgathering current information, news, and detailed search results.scrape_as_markdownScrape a single webpage URL with advanced options for content extraction and get back the results in MarkDown language. This tool can unlock any webpage even if it uses bot detection or CAPTCHA.search_engine_batchRun multiple search queries simultaneously. Returns JSON for Google, Markdown for Bing/Yandex.scrape_batchScrape multiple webpages URLs with advanced options for content extraction and get back the results in MarkDown language. This tool can unlock any webpage even if it uses bot detection or CAPTCHA.discoverSearch the web and rank results by AI-driven relevance. Returns scored results with title, description, and URL. Supports intent-based ranking, geo-targeting, date filtering, and keyword filtering.search_scrapersFind a Bright Data pre-built scraper (Web Scraper API, 1,200+ sites) for a site or data type, e.g. "amazon reviews" or "linkedin.com". Returns dataset_id, name, domain and collection_methods. Next: call get_scraper_details with a dataset_id and one method.get_scraper_detailsShow the scraper description, input fields, example input and main output fields for one method. Call before run_scraper and build the input from sample_input or input_fields. Records may contain more fields than output_fields lists.run_scraperRun a scraper method. input is a list of objects shaped like sample_input from get_scraper_details, one per URL or query. collect_by_url returns one record per input; discover_by_* methods return up to limit_per_input records per input, and every record is billed. Waits up to 45 seconds; if still running it returns snapshot_id with status "running": then poll get_scraper_progress and call get_scraper_results when ready. Records with an "error" field explain failed inputs.get_scraper_progressStatus of a run: starting, running, ready, failed or canceled.get_scraper_resultsRecords of a finished run. Returns status "running" if not ready yet.refresh_scrapersReload the scraper list now instead of waiting for the daily refresh.
Light: Download + OCR tools 7
contas_light_download_ocr_consultarLight: Download + OCR, consulta em fonte oficial. Hospedado pela plataforma, sem credenciais da plataforma, pague por consulta com crédito pré-pago. Consulta informação de fontes e órgãos oficiais brasileiros (a mesma disponível ao cidadão), não é dado sigiloso. O cliente é o controlador dos dados e responde pela finalidade legítima (LGPD).show_versionShow the current MCP platform and adapter versions.report_bugReport a bug, missing feature, or send feedback. Include the conversation array with recent messages for reproduction.connectReturns connection status and URLs. When all providers are connected, returns authenticated:true and empty pending[]. When credentials are missing, returns connect_url for the toolkit and per-install URLs.toolkit_infoReturns the current toolkit state: installed MCPs, their connection status, the accounts connected to each one, and how many catalog tools each exposes.marketplaceThe official mcp.ai marketplace — the in-platform catalog of every MCP/tool, AND the way to run them. Covers capability requests like "find an MCP that does X", "consulta um CPF", "is there a tool for Y". Core flow: action=search discovers MCPs by intent → describe returns one MCP's full profile (every tool with its id + params, pricing, auth) so you pick the right tool_id → invoke RUNS that tool. KEY: invoke works even when the MCP is NOT installed — it runs the tool pontualmente (one-off), without adding the MCP to the toolkit and without bloating the tool list. If the MCP needs a credential/login, invoke returns a connect link; if it is paid and the wallet is empty, invoke returns a checkout/top-up link (the user opens it, then you retry). Use install only to make an MCP PERMANENT in the active toolkit (its tools then show up natively in future sessions); prefer invoke for a single/occasional use. list_tools lists what is callable right now. subscribe/cancel handle per-MCP billing; report_bug sends feedback; request_mcp asks us to build a NEW MCP when nothing fits. Search/describe flag installed_in_toolkit vs installed_in_workspace. Writes (install/uninstall/subscribe/cancel and the one-off install behind invoke) require workspace owner/admin. It also carries the mcp.ai PROMPT LIBRARY, which is about ready-made prompt TEXT rather than MCPs: search_prompts finds one, get_prompt returns its full text with {{variables}} filled, and publish_prompt saves a prompt and returns a shareable mcp.ai/p/<slug> link that opens without login.authenticateMCP.AI for IDE agents (Cursor, etc.): log in in the browser, copy the access token. Best: add it to this server's config as a header `Authorization: Bearer <token>` for a permanent, non-expiring connection. Or paste it here for a session-only login: call with { token: "<jwt>" } after the user pastes, or with no args to get the link.
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Brightdata MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"brightdata-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"@brightdata/mcp"
],
"env": {
"API_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Light: Download + OCR
{
"mcpServers": {
"light-download-ocr": {
"url": "https://api.mcp.ai/p_contas_light_download_ocr"
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Brightdata MCP is categorized under Search & Data Extraction and uses a local stdio subprocess. Light: Download + OCR belongs to Search & Data Extraction and uses a remote HTTP/SSE transport. Pick Brightdata MCP for search & data extraction work and Light: Download + OCR for search & data extraction.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Brightdata MCP is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. Auth: api key required. Light: Download + OCR has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add brightdata-mcp and light-download-ocr as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Brightdata MCP has a quality signal of 73/100 (Great) with 5 views, 0 installs and 2,686 GitHub stars. Light: Download + OCR has 55/100 (Good) with 1 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.