What is the key difference between PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) and Spark SQL?

PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution, while Spark SQL belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution.

How do I install PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) or Spark SQL 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 PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) and Spark SQL free or paid?

PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required). Spark SQL operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) lists 12 tools with 0 views and 3 GitHub stars. Spark SQL lists 4 tools with 1 views and 1 GitHub stars.

Can I use both PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) and Spark SQL 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

PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) vs Spark SQL

In-depth architectural comparison of the PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) and Spark SQL 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

PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only)

Databases · Local stdio

Quality: 51/100 (Good) | Auth: No auth required

Spark SQL

Databases · Local stdio

Quality: 47/100 (Fair) | Auth: No auth required

Verdict Summary: Choose PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) if you need specialized Databases tools running via a local process. Choose Spark SQL 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 PostgreSQL (hardened, 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).
Primary tools included: explain_query, analyze, database_health.

Explore PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) Details

Choose Spark SQL 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).
Primary tools included: list_databases, list_tables, describe_table.

Explore Spark SQL Details

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) Databases	Spark SQL Databases
Summary	Read-only PostgreSQL over MCP. Writes refused at the parsed SQL, plus a READ ONLY transaction.	Query Spark SQL clusters via Thrift/HiveServer2. Works with Spark, EMR, Hive, Impala.
Category & Scope	Databases	Databases

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) Tools (12)

explain_query

analyze

database_health

analyze_indexes

top_queries

pg_stat_statements

security_posture

query

LIMIT

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).

PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only) Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgresql-hardened-read-only": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "postgres-mcp-hardened"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Spark SQL Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "spark-sql": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "spark-sql-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

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

More alternatives to PostgreSQL (hardened, read Only)More alternatives to Spark SQL Databases category hub