In-depth architectural comparison of the Postgres (read Only) and Postgres MCP 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
Postgres (read Only)
Databases · Local stdio
Quality: 27/100 (Emerging) | Auth: No auth required
Postgres MCP
Databases · Local stdio
Quality: 59/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required
Verdict Summary: Choose Postgres (read Only) if you need specialized Databases tools running via a local process. Choose Postgres MCP 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?
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Choose Postgres (read Only) 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).
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_URI.
Primary tools included: Database health checks including index, vacuum, replication, and cache analysis, Industrial-strength index tuning algorithms, EXPLAIN plan validation and hypothetical index simulation.
Postgres (read Only) is categorized under Databases and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, Postgres MCP belongs to Databases using local stdio subprocess. Select Postgres (read Only) when you need capabilities focused on databases and Postgres MCP when you require tools for databases.