Remote & Hosted MCP Servers
Cloud-ready MCP servers that work over HTTP/SSE. No local setup, no runtime dependencies -- connect from Cursor, VS Code, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, and any MCP-compatible AI client.
Remote vs Local MCP Servers
Remote Servers
- Hosted in the cloud, accessible via URL endpoint
- No local installation -- just add the URL to your config
- Works across devices and environments
- Transport: SSE or Streamable HTTP
Local Servers
- Run as a subprocess on your local machine
- Require installing runtimes (Node.js, Python, etc.)
- Tied to a single device
- Transport: stdio (standard I/O)
Official Remote Servers
Community Remote Servers
Remote Servers by Category
Frequently Asked Questions
What are remote MCP servers?
Remote MCP servers are Model Context Protocol servers hosted in the cloud that communicate over HTTP-based transports (SSE or Streamable HTTP). Unlike local servers that run on your machine via stdio, remote servers are accessible over the network without installing or running anything locally.
How do remote MCP servers differ from local ones?
Local MCP servers run as a subprocess on your machine using the stdio transport. You need to install their runtime (Node.js, Python, etc.) and manage dependencies. Remote MCP servers run in the cloud and communicate via HTTP/SSE -- you just provide a URL endpoint. They require no local setup, work across devices, and are managed by the server provider.
Are remote MCP servers free?
It depends on the provider. Many remote MCP servers offer free tiers with usage limits. Official servers from companies like Stripe, Cloudflare, and Sentry typically offer free access for their existing customers. Community-hosted servers vary -- check each server's documentation for pricing details.
How do I connect to a remote MCP server?
To connect to a remote MCP server, add its URL endpoint to your AI client's MCP configuration. In Cursor, VS Code, or Claude Desktop, open your MCP config file and add the server with its URL and transport type (sse or streamable-http). Most remote servers also require an API key or authentication token that you set as an environment variable.
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