PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server vs MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery)

A side-by-side comparison of two Databases servers — tools, transport, auth, maintenance, and copy-paste config for each.

	PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server Query any PostgreSQL database in natural language via MCP, with safe read-only SQL and streaming. Unverified HTTP (remote) API key Go	MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) Google's official MCP server with prebuilt BigQuery tools, querying datasets via Application Default Credentials. Verified stdio (local) OAuth Go
Category	Databases	Databases
Language	Go	Go
Transport	HTTP (remote)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	OAuth
GitHub stars	536	16k
Last commit	24 days ago	15 days ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`brew tap subnetmarco/homebrew-tap && brew install pgmcp`	`brew install mcp-toolbox && toolbox --prebuilt bigquery --stdio`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server if you want a hosted/remote server with nothing to install.

Pick MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Add PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server

Install / run

brew tap subnetmarco/homebrew-tap && brew install pgmcp

Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pgmcp---postgresql-model-context-protocol-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "http://localhost:8080/mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop connects to remote servers through the `mcp-remote` proxy (installed on first run via npx). Restart Claude Desktop after saving.

Add MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery)

Install / run

brew install mcp-toolbox && toolbox --prebuilt bigquery --stdio

Paste into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-toolbox-for-databases-bigquery": {
      "command": "/absolute/path/to/toolbox",
      "args": [
        "--prebuilt",
        "bigquery",
        "--stdio"
      ],
      "env": {
        "BIGQUERY_PROJECT": "<your-gcp-project-id>"
      }
    }
  }
}

FAQ

PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server or MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) — which is better?

Pick PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server if you want a hosted/remote server with nothing to install. Pick MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option.

Can I use both PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server and MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery)?

Yes — MCP clients let you enable multiple servers at once. Add both configs to your client's mcpServers and use whichever tool fits the task.

Do PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server and MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

Both do. Copy the per-client config below into Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf.

View PGMCP - PostgreSQL Model Context Protocol Server →View MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) →More comparisons →