XiYan MCP 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.

	XiYan MCP Server Natural-language queries to MySQL/PostgreSQL via XiYanSQL text-to-SQL Unverified stdio (local) API key Python	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	Python	Go
Transport	stdio (local)	stdio (local)
Auth	API key	OAuth
GitHub stars	236	16k
Last commit	4 months ago	15 days ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`pip install xiyan-mcp-server`	`brew install mcp-toolbox && toolbox --prebuilt bigquery --stdio`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick XiYan MCP Server if you prefer its approach (natural-language queries to mysql/postgresql via xiyansql text-to-sql).

Pick MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Add XiYan MCP Server

Install / run

pip install xiyan-mcp-server

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "xiyan-mcp-server": {
      "command": "/xxx/python",
      "args": [
        "-m",
        "xiyan_mcp_server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "YML": "PATH/TO/YML"
      }
    }
  }
}

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

XiYan MCP Server or MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) — which is better?

Pick XiYan MCP Server if you prefer its approach (natural-language queries to mysql/postgresql via xiyansql text-to-sql). Pick MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you need the broadest set of tools.

Can I use both XiYan MCP 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 XiYan MCP 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 XiYan MCP Server →View MCP Toolbox for Databases (BigQuery) →More comparisons →