InstantDB MCP vs MCP Server for MySQL

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

	InstantDB MCP Create, manage, and query your InstantDB apps, schemas, permissions, and data from your AI editor. Unverified HTTP (remote) OAuth TypeScript	MCP Server for MySQL Read-only (optionally write) access to MySQL databases for LLMs — inspect schemas and run SQL queries. Unverified stdio (local) No auth JavaScript
Category	Databases	Databases
Language	TypeScript	JavaScript
Transport	HTTP (remote)	stdio (local)
Auth	OAuth	None
GitHub stars	10k	1.8k
Last commit	1 month ago	4 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`npx -y @instantdb/mcp --token <token>`	`npm install -g @benborla29/mcp-server-mysql`
Repo	Open	Open

Verdict

Pick InstantDB MCP if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you want a hosted/remote server with nothing to install.

Pick MCP Server for MySQL if you want a local (stdio) server that keeps data on your machine, and you want zero-setup with no API key.

Add InstantDB MCP

Install / run

npx -y @instantdb/mcp --token <token>

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instantdb-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.instantdb.com/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 Server for MySQL

Install / run

npm install -g @benborla29/mcp-server-mysql

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcp-server-for-mysql": {
      "command": "/path/to/npx/binary/npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@benborla29/mcp-server-mysql"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MYSQL_HOST": "127.0.0.1",
        "MYSQL_PORT": "3306",
        "MYSQL_USER": "root",
        "MYSQL_PASS": "",
        "MYSQL_DB": "db_name",
        "PATH": "/path/to/node/bin:/usr/bin:/bin",
        "ALLOW_INSERT_OPERATION": "false",
        "ALLOW_UPDATE_OPERATION": "false",
        "ALLOW_DELETE_OPERATION": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

FAQ

InstantDB MCP or MCP Server for MySQL — which is better?

Pick InstantDB MCP if you prefer the more popular, battle-tested option, and you want a hosted/remote server with nothing to install. Pick MCP Server for MySQL if you want a local (stdio) server that keeps data on your machine, and you want zero-setup with no API key.

Can I use both InstantDB MCP and MCP Server for MySQL?

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 InstantDB MCP and MCP Server for MySQL work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

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

View InstantDB MCP →View MCP Server for MySQL →More comparisons →