InstantDB MCP vs MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server

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	MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server Query local DuckDB files, in-memory DBs, S3, or MotherDuck cloud with read/write SQL. Verified stdio (local) API key Python
Category	Databases	Databases
Language	TypeScript	Python
Transport	HTTP (remote)	stdio (local)
Auth	OAuth	API key
GitHub stars	10k	800
Last commit	1 month ago	2 months ago
Verified
Actively maintained
Install	`npx -y @instantdb/mcp --token <token>`	`uvx mcp-server-motherduck --db-path md: --read-write`
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 MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you want a local (stdio) server that keeps data on your machine.

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 MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server

Install / run

uvx mcp-server-motherduck --db-path md: --read-write

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

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "motherduck-duckdb-mcp-server": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-server-motherduck",
        "--db-path",
        "md:"
      ],
      "env": {
        "motherduck_token": "<your-motherduck-token>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Requires `uv` (the Python package runner). Install it from https://docs.astral.sh/uv/ if `uvx` is not found.

FAQ

InstantDB MCP or MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server — 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 MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server if you want the official, vendor-maintained server, and you want a local (stdio) server that keeps data on your machine.

Can I use both InstantDB MCP and MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server?

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 MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server work with Claude, Cursor and Windsurf?

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

View InstantDB MCP →View MotherDuck / DuckDB MCP Server →More comparisons →