MCP Databricks Server vs Datanika Core

In-depth architectural comparison of the MCP Databricks Server and Datanika Core 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.

Which MCP Server Should You Choose?

Choose MCP Databricks Server when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Data Platforms domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: API Key required (Free / Open Source).
• You have access to required keys: DATABRICKS_HOST, DATABRICKS_TOKEN, DATABRICKS_HTTP_PATH.
• Primary tools included: Execute SQL on Databricks SQL warehouses, List workspace jobs, Retrieve job status by ID.

Explore MCP Databricks Server Details

Choose Datanika Core when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Data Platforms domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: OAuth 2.0 (Free / Open Source).
• Primary tools included: 25 MCP tools, 17 read-only tools, 8 write tools.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	MCP Databricks Server JordiNei Data Platforms	Datanika Core datanika-io Data Platforms
Summary	Connect to Databricks API, allowing LLMs to run SQL queries, list jobs, and get job status.	Read-only-by-default MCP server for Datanika, the open-source ELT + dbt platform: browse connections, preview data, run and compile dbt transforms, monitor runs, and manage pipelines. 25 tools; opt-in --allow-write enables create/trigger.
Category & Scope

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

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).

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jordinei-mcp-databricks-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "jordinei-mcp-databricks-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABRICKS_HOST": "YOUR_DATABRICKS_HOST_HERE",
        "DATABRICKS_TOKEN": "YOUR_DATABRICKS_TOKEN_HERE",
        "DATABRICKS_HTTP_PATH": "YOUR_DATABRICKS_HTTP_PATH_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "datanika-io-datanika-core": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "datanika-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

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