Brave Search MCP vs Web Search API

In-depth architectural comparison of the Brave Search MCP and Web Search API 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 Brave Search MCP when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
• You prefer local stdio subprocess transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: API Key required (BYOK (Pay Provider Direct)).
• You have access to required keys: BRAVE_API_KEY.
• Primary tools included: query, count.

Explore Brave Search MCP Details

Choose Web Search API when:

• You need dedicated capabilities in the Search & Data Extraction domain.
• You prefer remote streaming HTTP/SSE transport architecture.
• Your security boundary fits: No auth required (Free / Open Source).
• Primary tools included: web_search_query, query, count.

Explore Web Search API Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	Brave Search MCP mikechao Search & Data Extraction	Web Search API Search & Data Extraction
Summary	Web, Image, News, Video, and Local Point of Interest search capabilities using Brave's Search API	Web search returning structured results — titles, URLs, snippets. x402 micropayment.
Category & Scope	Search & Data Extraction

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": {
    "mikechao-brave-search-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "brave-search-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "YOUR_BRAVE_API_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "web-search-api": {
      "url": "https://web-search.api.klymax402.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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