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Postgres MCP vs SQLite MCP vs MySQL MCP: Which Database Server Should You Use?

Side-by-side comparison of the three database MCP servers. Features, token usage, setup complexity, and which one fits your project.

mcppostgressqlitemysqldatabasecomparison

Your AI coding assistant can query databases directly -- no more switching to a terminal for SQL or copy-pasting results back. Three MCP servers cover the major SQL databases, but they are not interchangeable. One has 40,000 weekly downloads. Another has 14. This guide breaks down each one so you can pick the right server for your project.

Feature PostgreSQL MCP SQLite MCP MySQL MCP
Author Anthropic Community (Stacklok) Community
npm package @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres sqlite-mcp mysql-mcp
Tool count 8 6 6
Estimated tokens ~4,120 ~3,090 ~3,090
Weekly downloads 40,295 14 389
Database type Client-server (remote or local) Embedded (file-based) Client-server (remote or local)
Connection Connection string (URL) File path Environment variables
Official MCP server Yes No No
Best for Production apps, complex queries Local dev, prototyping Laravel, WordPress, MySQL stacks 
graph TD
    A{What database?} -->|PostgreSQL| B[Use Postgres MCP]
    A -->|Local/Prototype| C[Use SQLite MCP]
    A -->|MySQL/Laravel/WP| D[Use MySQL MCP]
    A -->|Supabase| E[Postgres MCP or Supabase MCP]
    A -->|Multiple| F[Run both -- under 7,500 tokens total]

How They Work

All three follow the same pattern: your assistant sends SQL through the MCP server, it executes against the database, and structured results come back. The key difference is where the database lives.

PostgreSQL MCP and MySQL MCP connect to a running database server (local or remote). SQLite MCP opens a file on your disk -- no server process, no credentials, no network.

PostgreSQL MCP: The Production Workhorse

PostgreSQL MCP is maintained by Anthropic with 40,000+ weekly downloads. The 8-tool set covers query execution, schema inspection, table listing, and column details.

  • Complex joins, CTEs, window functions, full-text search, JSON operations
  • Works with Supabase, Neon, Railway, and any PostgreSQL provider
  • Connection string goes directly in args -- no environment variables
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres",
        "postgresql://user:password@localhost:5432/mydb"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Choose PostgreSQL MCP if: your project uses PostgreSQL, you need complex SQL, or you want an officially maintained server with high adoption.

SQLite MCP: The Local Lightweight

No database server required. SQLite databases are single files, and the MCP server reads/writes them directly.

  • Zero-infrastructure prototyping: design a schema, create tables, insert data, and query -- all instantly
  • Fits projects that use SQLite in production: mobile apps, Electron, CLI tools, embedded systems
  • Lowest token overhead at ~3,090 tokens
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "sqlite-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Choose SQLite MCP if: you are prototyping, your project uses SQLite as its production database, or you want zero-setup SQL access.

Limitations: Community-maintained with low adoption (14 weekly downloads). SQLite itself lacks stored procedures, has limited ALTER TABLE support, and no concurrent write access.

MySQL MCP: The PHP Ecosystem Bridge

Serves the massive ecosystem of Laravel, WordPress, and Drupal developers. Connects via four environment variables.

  • Query wp_posts, inspect custom meta fields, and debug slow WordPress queries
  • Verify Laravel migrations applied correctly and check data integrity
  • Works with PlanetScale, AWS RDS, and DigitalOcean Managed Database
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mysql": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mysql-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "MYSQL_HOST": "localhost",
        "MYSQL_USER": "root",
        "MYSQL_PASSWORD": "your_password",
        "MYSQL_DATABASE": "your_database"
      }
    }
  }
}

Choose MySQL MCP if: your project uses MySQL/MariaDB, you are building with Laravel, WordPress, or Drupal.

Limitations: Community-maintained with 389 weekly downloads. Four required env vars add friction compared to PostgreSQL's single connection string.

Token Budget

Server Tools Tokens % of 200K context
PostgreSQL MCP 8 ~4,120 2.1%
SQLite MCP 6 ~3,090 1.5%
MySQL MCP 6 ~3,090 1.5%

All three are lightweight. Even two simultaneously cost under 7,500 tokens.

Can You Run Multiple?

Yes. If your project uses PostgreSQL for the API and SQLite for local cache, run both at ~7,200 tokens combined. If you work across MySQL and PostgreSQL projects, keep both configured and let project context determine which one the assistant uses.

What About Supabase MCP?

If you use Supabase, you have a choice: PostgreSQL MCP (4,120 tokens, focused SQL) or Supabase MCP (12,875 tokens, full management including migrations, branches, and edge functions). Read the detailed comparison in Supabase MCP vs Firebase MCP.

The Verdict

PostgreSQL MCP is the default recommendation for most developers in 2026. Official maintenance, high adoption, and a solid toolset. SQLite MCP for zero-infrastructure SQL. MySQL MCP for Laravel, WordPress, and legacy MySQL databases.

Related Stacks

Backend Developer StackData Science StackLaravel + PHP Stack

Related Servers

PostgreSQL MCPSQLite MCPMySQL MCP