Postgres MCP vs Pg Readonly MCP
A side-by-side look at the Postgres MCP and Pg Readonly MCP MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
P
Pg Readonly MCPDatabases · Local subprocess (stdio)A read-only Postgres MCP server that parses SQL rather than pattern-matching it.41FairAuth: otherVerdict: choose Postgres MCP for databases work as a local process; choose Pg Readonly MCP for databases as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Postgres MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Databases domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
DATABASE_URI.
PChoose Pg Readonly MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Databases domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: other.
- You have the keys it needs:
PG_READONLY_MCP_DSN.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | P Pg Readonly MCP | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Databases | Databases |
| Quality signal | 59/100 · Good | 41/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | API key required | other |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | DATABASE_URI |
Tools & capabilities
Postgres MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Pg Readonly MCP tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
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.
Postgres MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"crystaldba-postgres-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"postgres-mcp"
],
"env": {
"DATABASE_URI": "YOUR_DATABASE_URI_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Pg Readonly MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"pg-readonly-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"pg-readonly-mcp"
],
"env": {
"PG_READONLY_MCP_DSN": "YOUR_PG_READONLY_MCP_DSN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Postgres MCP is categorized under Databases and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pg Readonly MCP belongs to Databases and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Postgres MCP for databases work and Pg Readonly MCP for databases.
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.
Postgres MCP is listed as free. Auth: api key required. Pg Readonly MCP is listed as free. Auth: other. 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 crystaldba-postgres-mcp and pg-readonly-mcp as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Postgres MCP has a quality signal of 59/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 3,389 GitHub stars. Pg Readonly MCP has 41/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 0 GitHub stars.