What is the key difference between Genai Toolbox and Spark SQL?

Genai Toolbox belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution, while Spark SQL belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Genai Toolbox or Spark SQL in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Genai Toolbox and Spark SQL free or paid?

Genai Toolbox operates under a Free / Open Source model (API Key required). Spark SQL operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Genai Toolbox lists 6 tools with 3 views and 16,141 GitHub stars. Spark SQL lists 0 tools with 0 views and 0 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Genai Toolbox and Spark SQL together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

How do I install Genai Toolbox or Spark SQL in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Both servers follow the standard Model Context Protocol configuration format. Simply copy the JSON block from the configuration section above and paste it into your AI client's mcpServers configuration object (for instance in claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json ), then completely restart or refresh the application.

Are Genai Toolbox and Spark SQL free to use, or do they require API keys?

Genai Toolbox is listed under a Free / Open Source model with API Key required . Spark SQL operates under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . If environment variables are required (such as API keys), be sure to define them under the env key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Can I run both Genai Toolbox and Spark SQL at the same time in my AI client?

Yes! MCP clients support multi-server orchestration. You can include both googleapis-genai-toolbox and spark-sql as distinct keys inside the single mcpServers object in your configuration file. Your AI assistant will automatically select and call the appropriate tool from either server during chat sessions.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, Genai Toolbox has a Quality Score of 52 /100 ( Good ) with 3 views, 0 installs, and 16,141 GitHub stars. Spark SQL holds a Quality Score of 27 /100 ( Emerging ) with 0 views, 0 installs, and 0 GitHub stars.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Genai Toolbox vs Spark SQL

In-depth architectural comparison of the Genai Toolbox and Spark SQL MCP servers. Compare execution transports, security boundaries, tool capabilities, quality scores, and ready-to-paste client installation snippets for Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, and VS Code.

At a Glance & Executive Verdict

Genai Toolbox

Databases · Local stdio

Quality: 52/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required

Spark SQL

Databases · Local stdio

Quality: 27/100 (Emerging) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose Genai Toolbox if you need specialized Databases tools running via a local process. Choose Spark SQL if your workspace requires Databases integration with local subprocess execution. Both servers can be configured concurrently in your client's mcpServers manifest.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose Genai Toolbox when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Databases domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: API Key required (Free / Open Source).
You have access to required keys: DATABASE_URL, GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS, TOOLBOX_LOG_LEVEL, OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_ENDPOINT, OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_HEADERS.
Primary tools included: Prebuilt generic database tools for instant use, Custom tools framework for production-grade AI database tools, Supports structured queries, semantic search, and NL2SQL.

Explore Genai Toolbox Details

Choose Spark SQL when:

You need dedicated capabilities in the Databases domain.
You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).

Explore Spark SQL Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Genai Toolbox googleapis Databases	S Spark SQL Databases
Summary	Open source MCP server specializing in easy, fast, and secure tools for Databases.	Query Spark SQL clusters via Thrift/HiveServer2. Works with Spark, EMR, Hive, Impala.
Category & Scope	Databases	Databases
Quality signal

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Genai Toolbox Tools (6)

Prebuilt generic database tools for instant use

Custom tools framework for production-grade AI database tools

Supports structured queries, semantic search, and NL2SQL

Connection pooling and integrated IAM authentication

End-to-end observability with OpenTelemetry metrics and tracing

SDKs available for Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go, and Java

Spark SQL Tools (0)

No explicit tool names declared in metadata yet. Check project README on main listing page.

Ready-to-Paste Client Configurations

Paste either (or both) of these JSON server blocks into your client config file (e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json).

Genai Toolbox Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "googleapis-genai-toolbox": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@toolbox-sdk/server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "YOUR_DATABASE_URL_HERE",
        "GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS": "YOUR_GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_HERE",
        "TOOLBOX_LOG_LEVEL": "YOUR_TOOLBOX_LOG_LEVEL_HERE",
        "OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_ENDPOINT": "YOUR_OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_ENDPOINT_HERE",
        "OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_HEADERS": "YOUR_OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_HEADERS_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Spark SQL Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "spark-sql": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "spark-sql"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Genai Toolbox is categorized under Databases and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Spark SQL belongs to Databases using local stdio subprocess. Select Genai Toolbox when you need capabilities focused on databases and Spark SQL when you require tools for databases.

More alternatives to Genai Toolbox More alternatives to Spark SQL Databases category hub