Google MCP Suite vs Gws MCP Server
A side-by-side look at the Google MCP Suite and Gws MCP Server MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
G
Google MCP SuiteWorkplace & Productivity · Local subprocess (stdio)Google Workspace MCP servers for AI agents, one per service per account: Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Sheets. Identity is bound to the running instance, so an agent (Claude, Cursor, or any MCP client) can never act on the57GoodAuth: oauth 2.0Verdict: choose Google MCP Suite for workplace & productivity work as a local process; choose Gws MCP Server for workplace & productivity as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
GChoose Google MCP Suite when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Workplace & Productivity domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: OAuth 2.0.
- You have the keys it needs:
GOOGLE_MCP_ACCOUNT.
Choose Gws MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Workplace & Productivity domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: OAuth 2.0.
- You have the keys it needs:
GOOGLE_WORKSPACE_CLI_KEYRING_BACKEND. - You want tools like
drive_files_list, drive_files_get, drive_files_create.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | G Google MCP Suite | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Workplace & Productivity | Workplace & Productivity |
| Quality signal | 57/100 · Good | 61/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | OAuth 2.0 | OAuth 2.0 |
| Pricing | Not declared | Free |
| Required env vars | GOOGLE_MCP_ACCOUNT | GOOGLE_WORKSPACE_CLI_KEYRING_BACKEND |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 5 | 11 |
| Directory activity | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | Not listed | 61 |
| Full listing | View Google MCP Suite | View Gws MCP Server |
Tools & capabilities
Google MCP Suite tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Gws MCP Server tools 61
drive_files_listList files in Google Drive. Supports search queries via the 'q' parameter. Shared drive files are included automatically.drive_files_getGet a file's metadata by ID. Shared drive files are supported automatically.drive_files_createCreate a new file in Google Drive. Use with bodyParams for metadata and optionally upload a local file.drive_files_copyCopy a file. Useful for converting formats (e.g. markdown to Google Doc).drive_files_updateUpdate a file's metadata or content.drive_files_deletePermanently delete a file.drive_files_exportExport a Google Workspace file (Doc, Sheet, Slide) to a specific format. Returns JSON with export metadata. Use drive_files_download for automatic export with content returned inline.drive_permissions_createShare a file by creating a permission.drive_permissions_listList all permissions on a file. Use to audit sharing state — e.g. a permission with type "anyone" means the file is publicly accessible; there is no separate is-public field. Pass fields (e.g. "permissions(id,type,role,emailAddress,domain)") to identify grantees — the default response omits emailAddress/domain.drive_permissions_updateChange an existing permission's role on a file (e.g. reader to writer). Can remove capabilities by downgrading a role. Ownership transfers are not supported. Per the Drive API: concurrent permissions operations on the same file aren't supported, only the last update is applied.drive_permissions_deleteRevoke a permission from a file, removing that user's/group's/domain's access. Per the Drive API: concurrent permissions operations on the same file aren't supported, only the last update is applied.drive_comments_listList comments on a file.- +49 more on 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.
Google MCP Suite
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-mcp-suite": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"google-mcp-suite"
],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_MCP_ACCOUNT": "YOUR_GOOGLE_MCP_ACCOUNT_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Gws MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"conorbronsdon-gws-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"gws-mcp-server"
],
"env": {
"GOOGLE_WORKSPACE_CLI_KEYRING_BACKEND": "YOUR_GOOGLE_WORKSPACE_CLI_KEYRING_BACKEND_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Google MCP Suite is categorized under Workplace & Productivity and uses a local stdio subprocess. Gws MCP Server belongs to Workplace & Productivity and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Google MCP Suite for workplace & productivity work and Gws MCP Server for workplace & productivity.
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.
Google MCP Suite has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. Auth: oauth 2.0. Gws MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: oauth 2.0. 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 google-mcp-suite and conorbronsdon-gws-mcp-server as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Google MCP Suite has a quality signal of 57/100 (Good) with 0 views, 0 installs and 5 GitHub stars. Gws MCP Server has 61/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 11 GitHub stars.