Excel MCP Server vs MCP Google Sheets
A side-by-side look at the Excel MCP Server and MCP Google Sheets MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Excel MCP Server for workplace & productivity work as a local process; choose MCP Google Sheets 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?
Choose Excel MCP Server when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Workplace & Productivity domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
comma, semicolon, tab.
Choose MCP Google Sheets when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Workplace & Productivity domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
SERVICE_ACCOUNT_PATH, DRIVE_FOLDER_ID, CREDENTIALS_CONFIG, ENABLED_TOOLS. - You want tools like
get_sheet_data, update_cells, list_spreadsheets.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Workplace & Productivity | Workplace & Productivity |
| Quality signal | 60/100 · Good | 59/100 · Good |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | API key required |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Required env vars | None listed | SERVICE_ACCOUNT_PATHDRIVE_FOLDER_IDCREDENTIALS_CONFIGENABLED_TOOLS |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 4,283 | 1,017 |
| Directory activity | 17 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 3 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 7 | 4 |
| Full listing | View Excel MCP Server | View MCP Google Sheets |
Tools & capabilities
Excel MCP Server tools 7
commasemicolontabpipecp1252decimalformatted
MCP Google Sheets tools 4
get_sheet_dataRead from spreadsheetsupdate_cellsWrite to spreadsheetslist_spreadsheetsFind spreadsheetslist_sheetsNavigate tabs
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.
Excel MCP Server
{
"mcpServers": {
"haris-musa-excel-mcp-server": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"excel-mcp-server"
]
}
}
}
MCP Google Sheets
{
"mcpServers": {
"xing5-mcp-google-sheets": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"mcp-google-sheets@latest"
],
"env": {
"SERVICE_ACCOUNT_PATH": "YOUR_SERVICE_ACCOUNT_PATH_HERE",
"DRIVE_FOLDER_ID": "YOUR_DRIVE_FOLDER_ID_HERE",
"CREDENTIALS_CONFIG": "YOUR_CREDENTIALS_CONFIG_HERE",
"ENABLED_TOOLS": "YOUR_ENABLED_TOOLS_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Excel MCP Server is categorized under Workplace & Productivity and uses a local stdio subprocess. MCP Google Sheets belongs to Workplace & Productivity and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Excel MCP Server for workplace & productivity work and MCP Google Sheets 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.
Excel MCP Server is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. MCP Google Sheets is listed as free. Auth: api key required. 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 haris-musa-excel-mcp-server and xing5-mcp-google-sheets as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Excel MCP Server has a quality signal of 60/100 (Good) with 17 views, 0 installs and 4,283 GitHub stars. MCP Google Sheets has 59/100 (Good) with 3 views, 0 installs and 1,017 GitHub stars.