Metabase AI Assistant vs MCP Server Neon
A side-by-side look at the Metabase AI Assistant and MCP Server Neon MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Metabase AI Assistant for databases work as a local process; choose MCP Server Neon 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 Metabase AI Assistant when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Databases domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
METABASE_URL, METABASE_API_KEY. - You want tools like
db_list, db_test_speed, db_schemas.
Choose MCP Server Neon when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Databases domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: OAuth 2.0.
- You have the keys it needs:
NEON_API_KEY. - You want tools like
projects, branches, endpoints.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Databases | Databases |
| Quality signal | 63/100 · Good | 67/100 · Great |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | Not declared | OAuth 2.0 |
| Pricing | Not declared | Freemium |
| Required env vars | METABASE_URLMETABASE_API_KEY | NEON_API_KEY |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 49 | 656 |
| Directory activity | 2 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 5 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 134 | 80 |
| Full listing | View Metabase AI Assistant | View MCP Server Neon |
Tools & capabilities
Metabase AI Assistant tools 134
db_listGet list of all databases in Metabase instance with IDs and connection typesdb_test_speedCheck database response time and performance - run this before heavy operations to determine optimal timeout settingsdb_schemasGet all schema names in specified database - useful for data exploration and finding business data locationsdb_tablesGet comprehensive table list across all schemas with field counts - provides overview of data structuredb_table_profileGet comprehensive table profile: row count, column types, distinct values, sample data. Auto-detects dimension/reference tables (dim_, ref_, lookup_ prefix). Ideal for understanding lookup tables before writing queries.sql_executeRun SQL queries against database - supports SELECT, DDL with security controls, returns formatted results. For long-running queries (>60s), use sql_submit instead.sql_submitSubmit a long-running SQL query asynchronously. Returns immediately with job_id. Use sql_status to check progress. Ideal for queries that may take minutes.sql_statusCheck status of an async query submitted via sql_submit. Returns results when complete.sql_cancelCancel a running async query. Also attempts to cancel on database server.mb_question_createCreate new question/chartmb_questionsBrowse saved questions and charts in Metabase - filter by collection to find specific reportsmb_dashboard_createCreate a new dashboard in Metabase with layout options- +122 more on the listing page
MCP Server Neon tools 80
projectsbranchesendpointssnapshotsschemaqueryingneon_authdata_apiobservabilitydocsfunctionsstorage- +68 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.
Metabase AI Assistant
{
"mcpServers": {
"metabase-ai-assistant": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"metabase-ai-assistant"
],
"env": {
"METABASE_URL": "YOUR_METABASE_URL_HERE",
"METABASE_API_KEY": "YOUR_METABASE_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
MCP Server Neon
{
"mcpServers": {
"neondatabase-mcp-server-neon": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"neon@latest"
],
"env": {
"NEON_API_KEY": "YOUR_NEON_API_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Metabase AI Assistant is categorized under Databases and uses a local stdio subprocess. MCP Server Neon belongs to Databases and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Metabase AI Assistant for databases work and MCP Server Neon 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.
Metabase AI Assistant has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. MCP Server Neon is listed as freemium — a free tier with paid plans. 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 metabase-ai-assistant and neondatabase-mcp-server-neon as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Metabase AI Assistant has a quality signal of 63/100 (Good) with 2 views, 0 installs and 49 GitHub stars. MCP Server Neon has 67/100 (Great) with 5 views, 0 installs and 656 GitHub stars.