What is the key difference between Postgres (read Only) and PostgreSQL MCP Server?

Postgres (read Only) belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution, while PostgreSQL MCP Server belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution.

How do I install Postgres (read Only) or PostgreSQL MCP Server in Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Copy the mcpServers JSON configuration snippet provided on this page into your claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json file and restart your AI client.

Are Postgres (read Only) and PostgreSQL MCP Server free or paid?

Postgres (read Only) operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required). PostgreSQL MCP Server operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

Postgres (read Only) lists 4 tools with 0 views and 4 GitHub stars. PostgreSQL MCP Server lists 23 tools with 0 views and 7 GitHub stars.

Can I use both Postgres (read Only) and PostgreSQL MCP Server together in the same MCP host?

Yes! MCP hosts like Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and VS Code support configuring multiple servers under the mcpServers object simultaneously.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

Postgres (read Only) vs PostgreSQL MCP Server

In-depth architectural comparison of the Postgres (read Only) and PostgreSQL MCP Server 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: 56/100 (Good) | Auth: No auth required

PostgreSQL MCP Server

Databases · Local stdio

Quality: 55/100 (Good) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose Postgres (read Only) if you need specialized Databases tools running via a local process. Choose PostgreSQL MCP Server 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?

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 have access to required keys: DATABASE_URL.
Primary tools included: query, list_tables, get_table_context.

Explore Postgres (read Only) Details

Choose PostgreSQL MCP Server 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 have access to required keys: DATABASE_URL.
Primary tools included: pg_readonly, pg_query, pg_list_schemas.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	P Postgres (read Only) Databases	P PostgreSQL MCP Server Databases
Summary
Category & Scope	Databases	Databases
Quality signal

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

Postgres (read Only) Tools (4)

query

Runs one read-only statement: `SELECT`, `WITH ... SELECT`, `EXPLAIN`, or `SHOW`.

list_tables

Lists readable tables with descriptions. `pattern` matches anywhere in the name or description.

get_table_context

Describes tables: columns, types, keys, foreign key targets, enum values, curated descriptions.

add_table_context

Lets the agent write down a gotcha it found (`amount` is in cents, `status` has an undocumented value) in the context file.

PostgreSQL MCP Server Tools (23)

pg_readonly

Run a SQL statement with no persistent data changes - always inside `BEGIN READ ONLY`, regardless of `ALLOW_WRITES`. The recommended tool for read access, and the one to auto-allow for ad-hoc SQL; pair it with a least-privileged role ([why](#per-tool-gating-in-the-host)).

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).

Postgres (read Only) Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres-read-only": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@contextflo/postgres-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "YOUR_DATABASE_URL_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

PostgreSQL MCP Server Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgresql-mcp-server-4": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@yawlabs/postgres-mcp@latest"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "YOUR_DATABASE_URL_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

Postgres (read Only) is categorized under Databases and uses a local stdio subprocess. In contrast, PostgreSQL MCP Server belongs to Databases using local stdio subprocess. Select Postgres (read Only) when you need capabilities focused on databases and PostgreSQL MCP Server when you require tools for databases.

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