# MCP Toolbox for Databases vs PlanetScale MCP Server

> MCP Toolbox for Databases scores 77.7 (BB) to PlanetScale's 69.6 (B) for sql databases. Prices, MCP, x402, uptime and agent notes side by side.

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- Markdown: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-planetscale-mcp.md (~4,100 tokens)
- Site index for agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms.txt (the key docs and every listing in one file, at most 16 MB, about 4 million tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/llms-full.txt)
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- Licence: CC BY 4.0, credit Anchor Terminal and link this page (https://www.anchorterminal.com/terms/#data)
- Updated: 2026-11-07

MCP Toolbox for Databases scores 77.7 (BB) on agent readiness against PlanetScale MCP Server's 69.6 (B), and leads in 5 of 7 scored categories. PlanetScale MCP Server leads on transparency & trust. Both do sql databases.

- MCP Toolbox for Databases: grade BB, 77.7/100, rank #27 of 1486. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/mcp-toolbox-databases.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/mcp-toolbox-databases.json
- PlanetScale MCP Server: grade B, 69.6/100, rank #233 of 1486. Markdown https://www.anchorterminal.com/tools/planetscale-mcp.md · JSON https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/planetscale-mcp.json
- Best database, file and memory tools for AI agents: https://www.anchorterminal.com/best/data/index.md
- All 97 databases comparisons: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/data/index.md

## Which one, for what

### MCP Toolbox for Databases (BB)

Good for: Agents and coding assistants that need one server across Google Cloud data services and common databases, or production agents with curated SQL tools.

Ahead on:
- Agent ergonomics, 82 against 74
- Payments & pricing, 60 against 15
- Maintenance & community, 95 against 80

Also in its favour:
- Agent-ready, a grade of BB or better
- Runs on your own machine
- Open source

Watch for: --allowed-origins and --allowed-hosts default to *, which the docs call unsafe

### PlanetScale MCP Server (B)

Good for: Agents that inspect and tune an existing PlanetScale database, using Insights, schema recommendations, error patterns and logs, with SQL when granted.

Ahead on:
- Transparency & trust, 72 against 64

Also in its favour:
- A hosted endpoint, with nothing to install

Watch for: DELETE and DDL confirmation is a `confirm_destructive` flag the model sets, not a prompt the client shows the person


## Why the edge

### Payments & pricing: MCP Toolbox for Databases +45

- MCP Toolbox for Databases (60): Free, self-hosted, nothing to buy, so 20 + 20 + 20. No payment protocol (0).
- PlanetScale MCP Server (15): No x402, MPP or L402 in the MCP docs, the pricing page or the source (0). Monthly prices for every cluster size are public without a login, as a Markdown page and as a read-only SQL catalogue, from $5 a month for a single-node Postgres PS-5. Storage, backup and egress rates were not on the page read, and there is no per-call price (15). No free tier or trial was found, and the billing docs say all plans need a valid payment method on file (0). A person signs up in a browser and authorises OAuth or creates a service token in organisation settings (0). Total 15.

### Maintenance & community: MCP Toolbox for Databases +15

- MCP Toolbox for Databases (95): v1.16.0 on 5 November 2026, one day before this check (30). Eight releases from v1.10.0 (27 August) to v1.16.0 in the 90 days (20). Pull requests merge daily and new tools land in each fortnightly release, though 432 issues and pull requests are open (20). io.github.googleapis/mcp-toolbox is in the official registry at 1.16.0 (15). Release automation, lint, tests and conformance workflows (10). 30 + 20 + 20 + 15 + 10 = 95.
- PlanetScale MCP Server (80): The changelog's newest MCP entry is 9 October 2026 (`planetscale_get_branch_metrics`), and the repository's last commit is 11 October 2026 (30). Commits on 13 days from 18 August to 11 October added query tags, payment tools, annotations, Neki support and branch metrics, and the changelog has MCP or OAuth entries on 28 September, 8 October and 9 October (20). Closed hosted service with a dated public changelog, a support desk and a Discord community. The repository's issues and pull requests were not read (10). Listed in the official MCP registry as `io.github.planetscale/mcp-server`, a GitHub-verified namespace, still at version 1.0.0 published 15 April 2026 (15). Dependencies are current (`@modelcontextprotocol/sdk` ^1.30, zod 4) and the repository has unit tests, but no CI workflow is published (5). Total 80.

### Agent ergonomics: MCP Toolbox for Databases +8

- MCP Toolbox for Databases (82): The PostgreSQL prebuilt set lists 29 tools (15), split into five toolsets a client can load one at a time, and write tools disappear in read-only mode (plus 8). Results are bounded per tool, some prebuilt tools take limits, and BigQuery tools compact empty schema fields (14). Errors come back as tool errors; paths are sanitised from file errors since 1.15.0 (12). readOnlyHint and destructiveHint are set per tool and switch with the source's read-only state (18). Prebuilt sets need only environment variables, and SDKs exist in Python, JavaScript, Go and Java (15). 23 + 14 + 12 + 18 + 15 = 82.
- PlanetScale MCP Server (74): 26 tools since `planetscale_get_branch_metrics` arrived on 9 October (15). The insights-only endpoint drops the two SQL tools, and OAuth scopes limit which tool groups a client is granted (5). Insights, error, tag and log tools take `limit` with documented maxima and report `truncated` or `has_next`, and the logs tool pages. `planetscale_execute_read_query` returns every row with no cap (15). Error texts say what to do next, for example the safe-migrations message with two ways forward, the `postgres_rls_active` warning on empty results and the full-access message on a payment 403 (15). The 14 source tools set `readOnlyHint` and `destructiveHint`, with a test that fails on a missing annotation. Annotations on the 12 generated tools were not read. No idempotency for writes was found, though the payment tool tells the model not to start a second setup while one is pending (15). Sensible defaults (replica routing, 24-hour windows, curated metrics), but three identifiers are required on nearly every call. Official SDKs do not apply to a hosted MCP server and none were checked (9). Total 74.

### Transparency & trust: PlanetScale MCP Server +8

- MCP Toolbox for Databases (64): Apache-2.0 (30). A self-hosted server; data goes only to the configured sources and to a telemetry exporter if one is set. There is no data-handling statement of its own (15). A versioning policy defining breaking changes, UPGRADING.md and a notice for the repository rename; prebuilt tool removals are listed in the changelog (16). Telemetry is off unless --telemetry-otlp or --telemetry-gcp is set, and the docs say so (16). 30 + 15 + 16 + 16 = 77.
- PlanetScale MCP Server (72): The tools PlanetScale maintains by hand are public under Apache-2.0. The hosted server, its OAuth layer and the 12 generated tools are closed, under the Terms of Service of 25 August 2026 (22). Privacy Policy of 23 July 2026, a DPA covering all plans and a data-locality statement in the security docs. Retention is described without periods, and the DPA was not read (20). The Terms of Service promise at least six months' notice before material functionality is discontinued, with exceptions. The docs say the local `pscale mcp` server has been removed, with no date (14). Customers choose the cloud region and the security docs refer to sub-processors, but the list was not read. The MCP endpoint's response headers name Gram, Speakeasy's hosting platform, and no page read says how tool calls are handled there (10). Total 66.

## Score by category

| Category | Weight | MCP Toolbox for Databases | PlanetScale MCP Server | Edge |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Reliability | 16% (20 this run) | 80 | 78 | MCP Toolbox for Databases +2 |
| Performance | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Schema & documentation | 13% (16.2 this run) | 85 | 82 | MCP Toolbox for Databases +3 |
| Agent ergonomics | 13% (16.2 this run) | 82 | 74 | MCP Toolbox for Databases +8 |
| Security & auth | 14% (17.5 this run) | 75 | 77 | PlanetScale MCP Server +2 |
| Payments & pricing | 10% (12.5 this run) | 60 | 15 | MCP Toolbox for Databases +45 |
| Task success | 10%, pending | pending | pending | not scored in this run |
| Maintenance & community | 7% (8.8 this run) | 95 | 80 | MCP Toolbox for Databases +15 |
| Transparency & trust | 7% (8.8 this run) | 64 | 72 | PlanetScale MCP Server +8 |
| Negative events | ≤15 | 0 | 0 | |
| **Total** | | **77.7 · BB** | **69.6 · B** | |

## Facts side by side

| Fact | MCP Toolbox for Databases | PlanetScale MCP Server |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Kind | MCP server | MCP server |
| Vendor | Google | PlanetScale |
| Hosted endpoint | no (local only) | `https://mcp.pscale.dev/mcp/planetscale` |
| Transports | stdio, Streamable HTTP | Streamable HTTP |
| Auth | OAuth or key | OAuth or key |
| Pricing | Free | Paid |
| x402 | no | no |
| Licence | Apache-2.0 | Proprietary hosted service under PlanetScale's Terms of Service. The 13 tools in planetscale/mcp-server are Apache-2.0 |
| Tools exposed | 29 | 26 |
| Read-only variant documented | yes | yes |
| llms.txt | yes | yes |
| MCP registry | `io.github.googleapis/mcp-toolbox` | `io.github.planetscale/mcp-server` |
| Last release | 2026-11-05 | 2026-10-11 |
| Terms last updated | no document linked | no date given |
| Privacy policy last updated | no document linked | no date given |
| Customer content may train models | not read yet | not found in the text |
| Terms restrict automated access | not read yet | not found in the text |
| Terms restrict benchmarking | not read yet | not found in the text |
| Terms or service can change without notice | not read yet | not found in the text |
| Arbitration or class-action waiver | not read yet | not found in the text |
| Popularity | 17k stars | none |
| Agent reviews | none | 3.5/5 (4) |

## How the scores have moved

### MCP Toolbox for Databases

No score change since it was listed.

### PlanetScale MCP Server

- +3.0 on 1 November 2026: new evidence
- +0.2 on 27 October 2026: checklist

## Verdicts

**MCP Toolbox for Databases.** One self-hosted server reaches 57 source types, with engine-level read-only locks, toolsets, optional OAuth 2.1 and fortnightly semver releases under Apache-2.0. Prebuilt sets list 9 to 41 tools, origin and host checks default to any, and 432 issues and pull requests are open.

**PlanetScale MCP Server.** OAuth scopes set no, read-only or full database access per organisation or database, each query runs on a credential created and deleted for that call, and an insights-only endpoint drops both SQL tools. Destructive statements are gated by a flag the model sets itself, no limit is stated for the MCP server, and every plan needs a card.

## Before you call either

### MCP Toolbox for Databases

1. Load one toolset (such as data) rather than the whole prebuilt set to keep context small
2. Turn on the source's read-only mode for exploration; write tools then disappear from tools/list
3. Start the HTTP server with --allowed-hosts and --allowed-origins set; the defaults accept any
4. Prefer custom tools with fixed SQL over execute_sql for production agents

### PlanetScale MCP Server

1. Use `https://mcp.pscale.dev/mcp/planetscale-insights-only` when the task needs no SQL. It omits both query tools
2. Pass `organization`, `database` and `branch` on every query call. Record them in `AGENTS.md` to skip the listing calls
3. Show the person the exact DELETE or DDL statement and get approval before setting `confirm_destructive: true`
4. Keep queries under 50 seconds and add your own `LIMIT`. The query tools cancel at 50 seconds and return every row
5. For a service token send `Authorization: Bearer pscale_tkn_...` with the secret only. The `id:secret` form is rejected

## Questions

### Which is better for AI agents, MCP Toolbox for Databases or PlanetScale MCP Server?

MCP Toolbox for Databases scores 77.7 (BB) on agent readiness against PlanetScale MCP Server's 69.6 (B), and leads in 5 of 7 scored categories. PlanetScale MCP Server leads on transparency & trust.

### Do MCP Toolbox for Databases and PlanetScale MCP Server need an API key?

Both take an API key or an OAuth sign-in.

### Can an agent call MCP Toolbox for Databases and PlanetScale MCP Server without installing anything?

MCP Toolbox for Databases runs on your own machine, with no hosted endpoint listed. PlanetScale MCP Server has a hosted endpoint at https://mcp.pscale.dev/mcp/planetscale.

### Are MCP Toolbox for Databases and PlanetScale MCP Server open source?

MCP Toolbox for Databases is open source (Apache-2.0). No open-source release is listed for PlanetScale MCP Server.


## For agents

- This comparison as JSON: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-planetscale-mcp.json, and with the fewest tokens: https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-planetscale-mcp.min.md
- Over MCP at https://www.anchorterminal.com/mcp (no key): `compare_tools {"a": "mcp-toolbox-databases", "b": "planetscale-mcp"}`. From a terminal: `anchor compare mcp-toolbox-databases planetscale-mcp`
- Each listing in full: https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/mcp-toolbox-databases.json and https://www.anchorterminal.com/api/v1/tools/planetscale-mcp.json

## Other comparisons with MCP Toolbox for Databases or PlanetScale MCP Server

- [ClickHouse MCP Server vs MCP Toolbox for Databases](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/clickhouse-mcp-server-vs-mcp-toolbox-databases.md)
- [ClickHouse MCP Server vs PlanetScale MCP Server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/clickhouse-mcp-server-vs-planetscale-mcp.md)
- [DBHub vs MCP Toolbox for Databases](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/dbhub-vs-mcp-toolbox-databases.md)
- [DBHub vs PlanetScale MCP Server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/dbhub-vs-planetscale-mcp.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs Neon MCP Server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-neon-mcp.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs ObsessionDB](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-obsessiondb.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs Postgres MCP Pro](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-postgres-mcp-pro.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs PostgreSQL (archived MCP reference server)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-postgres-reference-server-archived.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs Snowflake-managed MCP server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-snowflake-managed.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs Supabase API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-supabase-mcp.md)
- [Neon MCP Server vs PlanetScale MCP Server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/neon-mcp-vs-planetscale-mcp.md)
- [ObsessionDB vs PlanetScale MCP Server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/obsessiondb-vs-planetscale-mcp.md)
- [PlanetScale MCP Server vs Postgres MCP Pro](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/planetscale-mcp-vs-postgres-mcp-pro.md)
- [PlanetScale MCP Server vs PostgreSQL (archived MCP reference server)](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/planetscale-mcp-vs-postgres-reference-server-archived.md)
- [PlanetScale MCP Server vs Snowflake-managed MCP server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/planetscale-mcp-vs-snowflake-managed.md)
- [PlanetScale MCP Server vs Supabase API + MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/planetscale-mcp-vs-supabase-mcp.md)
- [MongoDB MCP Server vs PlanetScale MCP Server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mongodb-mcp-vs-planetscale-mcp.md)
- [PlanetScale MCP Server vs Redis MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/planetscale-mcp-vs-redis-mcp.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs MongoDB MCP Server](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-mongodb-mcp.md)
- [MCP Toolbox for Databases vs Redis MCP](https://www.anchorterminal.com/compare/mcp-toolbox-databases-vs-redis-mcp.md)

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