What is the key difference between SQL Server MCP (Windows) and Genai Toolbox?

SQL Server MCP (Windows) belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution, while Genai Toolbox belongs to the Databases category with local stdio execution.

How do I install SQL Server MCP (Windows) or Genai Toolbox 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 SQL Server MCP (Windows) and Genai Toolbox free or paid?

SQL Server MCP (Windows) operates under a Free / Open Source model (No auth required). Genai Toolbox operates under a Free / Open Source model (API Key required).

Which MCP server has more tools and community activity?

SQL Server MCP (Windows) lists 0 tools with 0 views and 0 GitHub stars. Genai Toolbox lists 6 tools with 3 views and 16,141 GitHub stars.

Can I use both SQL Server MCP (Windows) and Genai Toolbox 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.

How do I install SQL Server MCP (Windows) or Genai Toolbox in Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf?

Both servers follow the standard Model Context Protocol configuration format. Simply copy the JSON block from the configuration section above and paste it into your AI client's mcpServers configuration object (for instance in claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json ), then completely restart or refresh the application.

Are SQL Server MCP (Windows) and Genai Toolbox free to use, or do they require API keys?

SQL Server MCP (Windows) is listed under a Free / Open Source model with No auth required . Genai Toolbox operates under a Free / Open Source model with API Key required . If environment variables are required (such as API keys), be sure to define them under the env key in your MCP client's configuration file.

Can I run both SQL Server MCP (Windows) and Genai Toolbox at the same time in my AI client?

Yes! MCP clients support multi-server orchestration. You can include both sql-server-mcp-windows and googleapis-genai-toolbox as distinct keys inside the single mcpServers object in your configuration file. Your AI assistant will automatically select and call the appropriate tool from either server during chat sessions.

Which MCP server has higher directory engagement and quality ratings?

On AllMCPs, SQL Server MCP (Windows) has a Quality Score of 27 /100 ( Emerging ) with 0 views, 0 installs, and 0 GitHub stars. Genai Toolbox holds a Quality Score of 52 /100 ( Good ) with 3 views, 0 installs, and 16,141 GitHub stars.

Side-by-Side Model Context Protocol Comparison

SQL Server MCP (Windows) vs Genai Toolbox

In-depth architectural comparison of the SQL Server MCP (Windows) and Genai Toolbox 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

SQL Server MCP (Windows)

Databases · Local stdio

Quality: 27/100 (Emerging) | Auth: No auth required

Genai Toolbox

Databases · Local stdio

Quality: 52/100 (Good) | Auth: API Key required

Verdict Summary: Choose SQL Server MCP (Windows) if you need specialized Databases tools running via a local process. Choose Genai Toolbox 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 SQL Server MCP (Windows) 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).

Explore SQL Server MCP (Windows) Details

Choose Genai Toolbox when:

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_URL, GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS, TOOLBOX_LOG_LEVEL, OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_ENDPOINT, OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_HEADERS.
Primary tools included: Prebuilt generic database tools for instant use, Custom tools framework for production-grade AI database tools, Supports structured queries, semantic search, and NL2SQL.

Feature & Specification Comparison

Specification	S SQL Server MCP (Windows) Databases	Genai Toolbox googleapis Databases
Summary	SQL Server MCP with RAG capabilities for Windows (native ODBC support)	Open source MCP server specializing in easy, fast, and secure tools for Databases.
Category & Scope	Databases	Databases
Quality signal

Tools & Capabilities Breakdown

SQL Server MCP (Windows) Tools (0)

No explicit tool names declared in metadata yet. Check project README on main listing page.

Genai Toolbox Tools (6)

Prebuilt generic database tools for instant use

Custom tools framework for production-grade AI database tools

Supports structured queries, semantic search, and NL2SQL

Connection pooling and integrated IAM authentication

End-to-end observability with OpenTelemetry metrics and tracing

SDKs available for Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go, and Java

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).

SQL Server MCP (Windows) Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sql-server-mcp-windows": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "sql-server-mcp-windows"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Genai Toolbox Configuration

mcpServers (Claude Desktop / Cursor)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "googleapis-genai-toolbox": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@toolbox-sdk/server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "YOUR_DATABASE_URL_HERE",
        "GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS": "YOUR_GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS_HERE",
        "TOOLBOX_LOG_LEVEL": "YOUR_TOOLBOX_LOG_LEVEL_HERE",
        "OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_ENDPOINT": "YOUR_OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_ENDPOINT_HERE",
        "OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_HEADERS": "YOUR_OTEL_EXPORTER_OTLP_HEADERS_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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