Top 10 Essential MCP Servers Every Developer Should Know in 2025

After evaluating over 177 Model Context Protocol servers and implementing dozens in production environments, I've identified the 10 most valuable MCP servers that every developer should have in their toolkit.

Whether you're building AI-powered applications, automating workflows, or enhancing your development environment, these MCP servers will dramatically expand what's possible with Claude and other AI assistants.

How We Selected These Servers

Our selection criteria focused on:

✅ Reliability: Stable, well-maintained, and actively developed
✅ Usefulness: Solves real problems developers face daily
✅ Documentation: Clear setup instructions and examples
✅ Community Adoption: Proven track record with active users
✅ Integration Quality: Seamless connection with Claude Desktop and other MCP clients
✅ Security: Safe to use with proper configuration

Each server below has been tested extensively and is production-ready.

1. GitHub MCP Server

Best for: Repository management, code review, issue tracking

What It Does

The GitHub MCP Server gives Claude direct access to your GitHub repositories, enabling it to read code, create issues, review pull requests, and manage repository settings—all through natural language.

Key Features

Repository browsing: Navigate and read files across all your repos
Issue management: Create, update, and search issues
Pull request operations: Review PRs, add comments, request changes
Code search: Find code patterns across repositories
Commit history: Analyze git history and changes
Branch operations: Create and manage branches

Real-World Use Cases

Code Review Assistant:

"Review the last 3 pull requests in my project-name repository and 
summarize the changes and potential issues."

Automated Issue Creation:

"Create an issue in my repo for the bug we just discussed, 
including reproduction steps and suggested fix."

Cross-Repo Analysis:

"Search all my repositories for uses of the deprecated API function 
and list which repos need updating."

Setup Difficulty

⭐⭐⭐ Moderate (requires GitHub token)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-github

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "mcp-server-github",
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "your-personal-access-token"
      }
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

GitHub is central to modern development workflows. This server eliminates context-switching between your IDE, browser, and Claude, making code review and repository management significantly faster.

Explore GitHub MCP Server →

2. Filesystem MCP Server

Best for: Local file operations, project analysis, batch processing

What It Does

Gives Claude read and write access to specified directories on your local machine, enabling file manipulation, code analysis, and document processing without leaving the conversation.

Key Features

File reading: Access any file in configured directories
File writing: Create and modify files
Directory traversal: List and search directory contents
Pattern matching: Find files by name or content
Batch operations: Process multiple files at once
Safe sandboxing: Restrict access to specific directories

Real-World Use Cases

Code Refactoring:

"Update all import statements in my src directory to use the new 
module structure."

Documentation Generation:

"Read all TypeScript files in my project and generate API 
documentation in Markdown format."

Log Analysis:

"Analyze the error logs from the last week and summarize the 
most common issues."

Setup Difficulty

⭐ Easy (no external dependencies)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "mcp-server-filesystem",
      "args": ["/path/to/your/directory"]
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

This is often the first MCP server developers install because it's simple to set up and immediately useful. It's the foundation for many AI-assisted development workflows.

Explore Filesystem MCP Server →

3. PostgreSQL MCP Server

Best for: Database queries, schema analysis, data exploration

What It Does

Connects Claude to your PostgreSQL databases, enabling natural language queries, schema exploration, and data analysis without writing SQL manually.

Key Features

Natural language queries: Ask questions, get SQL results
Schema inspection: Explore tables, columns, and relationships
Query optimization: Get suggestions for improving performance
Data analysis: Statistical analysis and pattern detection
Migration assistance: Help with schema changes
Safe read-only mode: Prevent accidental modifications

Real-World Use Cases

Data Exploration:

"Show me the top 10 customers by revenue in the last quarter."

Schema Understanding:

"Explain the relationship between the users, orders, and 
products tables."

Query Optimization:

"This query is slow: [paste query]. How can I optimize it?"

Setup Difficulty

⭐⭐ Moderate (requires database credentials)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "mcp-server-postgres",
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "postgresql://user:password@localhost:5432/dbname"
      }
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

Database work is a daily task for most developers. This server makes data exploration and analysis conversational, dramatically reducing the time spent writing and debugging SQL queries.

Explore PostgreSQL MCP Server →

4. Slack MCP Server

Best for: Team communication, notifications, workflow automation

What It Does

Integrates Claude with Slack, allowing you to read messages, send notifications, search conversations, and automate team communication workflows.

Key Features

Message reading: Access channel history and DMs
Message sending: Post to channels and users
Channel management: Create and configure channels
Search functionality: Find messages and files
User lookup: Get team member information
Reaction handling: Add and read emoji reactions

Real-World Use Cases

Status Updates:

"Post a summary of today's completed tasks to the #team-updates 
channel."

Information Retrieval:

"Search our #engineering channel for discussions about the 
authentication refactor from last month."

Automated Notifications:

"Send a message to @john letting him know the deployment is 
complete."

Setup Difficulty

⭐⭐⭐ Moderate (requires Slack app creation)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-slack

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slack": {
      "command": "mcp-server-slack",
      "env": {
        "SLACK_BOT_TOKEN": "xoxb-your-token",
        "SLACK_TEAM_ID": "your-team-id"
      }
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

Slack is where teams coordinate. This server eliminates the need to switch between Claude and Slack, making communication and information retrieval seamless.

Explore Slack MCP Server →

5. Google Drive MCP Server

Best for: Document access, collaboration, cloud file management

What It Does

Connects Claude to your Google Drive, enabling document reading, file search, and content analysis across all your Google Workspace files.

Key Features

Document reading: Access Docs, Sheets, and Slides
File search: Find files by name, content, or metadata
Folder navigation: Browse your Drive structure
Sharing management: Check and modify permissions
Content extraction: Pull data from spreadsheets
Format conversion: Export files in different formats

Real-World Use Cases

Document Summarization:

"Summarize the key points from the Q4 Planning document in my 
Drive."

Data Analysis:

"Analyze the sales data in the 'Revenue 2025' spreadsheet and 
identify trends."

Content Search:

"Find all documents in my Drive that mention the Phoenix project."

Setup Difficulty

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced (requires Google Cloud setup)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-gdrive

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gdrive": {
      "command": "mcp-server-gdrive",
      "env": {
        "GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID": "your-client-id",
        "GOOGLE_CLIENT_SECRET": "your-client-secret",
        "GOOGLE_REFRESH_TOKEN": "your-refresh-token"
      }
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

Many teams store critical documents in Google Drive. This server makes that knowledge instantly accessible to Claude, enabling better-informed AI assistance.

Explore Google Drive MCP Server →

6. Puppeteer MCP Server

Best for: Web scraping, browser automation, testing

What It Does

Gives Claude control of a headless Chrome browser, enabling web scraping, automated testing, and interaction with web applications.

Key Features

Page navigation: Visit and interact with websites
Content extraction: Scrape data from web pages
Form filling: Automate form submissions
Screenshot capture: Take page screenshots
PDF generation: Convert pages to PDF
JavaScript execution: Run custom scripts on pages

Real-World Use Cases

Competitive Research:

"Visit competitor-site.com and extract their pricing information."

Automated Testing:

"Test the login flow on staging.myapp.com and report any issues."

Data Collection:

"Scrape the top 10 articles from news-site.com and summarize them."

Setup Difficulty

⭐⭐ Moderate (requires Chrome/Chromium)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteer

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "puppeteer": {
      "command": "mcp-server-puppeteer",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

Web automation is a common development task. This server makes browser automation conversational, eliminating the need to write complex Puppeteer scripts manually.

Explore Puppeteer MCP Server →

7. Git MCP Server

Best for: Version control operations, commit analysis, repository management

What It Does

Provides Claude with git command capabilities, enabling repository operations, commit history analysis, and branch management through natural language.

Key Features

Commit operations: Stage, commit, and push changes
Branch management: Create, switch, and merge branches
History analysis: Review commit logs and diffs
Status checking: See working directory state
Conflict resolution: Get help with merge conflicts
Repository statistics: Analyze contribution patterns

Real-World Use Cases

Commit History Analysis:

"Show me all commits related to authentication in the last month."

Branch Management:

"Create a new feature branch called 'add-dark-mode' based on main."

Code Archaeology:

"When was the payment processing module last modified and by whom?"

Setup Difficulty

⭐ Easy (git must be installed)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-git

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "git": {
      "command": "mcp-server-git",
      "args": ["/path/to/repository"]
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

Git is fundamental to modern development. This server makes version control operations more intuitive and helps developers understand repository history better.

Explore Git MCP Server →

8. SQLite MCP Server

Best for: Local databases, embedded data, rapid prototyping

What It Does

Connects Claude to SQLite databases, perfect for local development, testing, and applications that use embedded databases.

Key Features

Query execution: Run SQL queries conversationally
Schema management: Create and modify tables
Data import/export: Load and extract data
Database analysis: Understand data patterns
Migration support: Help with schema changes
Performance tuning: Optimize queries and indexes

Real-World Use Cases

Local Development:

"Query my local SQLite database and show me all users created 
this week."

Data Migration:

"Help me migrate data from the old_users table to the new users 
table with the updated schema."

Testing:

"Create a test database with sample data for the e-commerce 
application."

Setup Difficulty

⭐ Easy (SQLite is lightweight)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-sqlite

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sqlite": {
      "command": "mcp-server-sqlite",
      "args": ["/path/to/database.db"]
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

SQLite is everywhere—mobile apps, desktop applications, and local development. This server makes working with embedded databases much more efficient.

Explore SQLite MCP Server →

9. AWS MCP Server

Best for: Cloud infrastructure management, AWS operations

What It Does

Provides Claude with access to AWS services, enabling infrastructure management, resource monitoring, and cloud operations through natural language.

Key Features

EC2 management: List, start, stop instances
S3 operations: Bucket and object management
Lambda functions: Deploy and invoke functions
CloudWatch logs: Query and analyze logs
IAM operations: Manage users and permissions
Cost analysis: Review AWS spending

Real-World Use Cases

Infrastructure Monitoring:

"Show me all running EC2 instances in us-east-1 and their costs."

Log Analysis:

"Check CloudWatch logs for errors in the api-service Lambda 
function from the last hour."

Resource Management:

"List all S3 buckets and identify any that are publicly accessible."

Setup Difficulty

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced (requires AWS credentials and permissions)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-aws

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aws": {
      "command": "mcp-server-aws",
      "env": {
        "AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID": "your-access-key",
        "AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY": "your-secret-key",
        "AWS_REGION": "us-east-1"
      }
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

AWS powers much of the modern web. This server makes cloud infrastructure management more accessible and helps developers understand their AWS resources better.

Explore AWS MCP Server →

10. Memory MCP Server

Best for: Persistent context, knowledge retention, personalization

What It Does

Gives Claude long-term memory capabilities, allowing it to remember information across conversations and provide personalized assistance based on past interactions.

Key Features

Fact storage: Save important information
Context retrieval: Recall relevant past conversations
Preference learning: Remember your coding style and preferences
Project context: Maintain project-specific knowledge
Search functionality: Find stored information
Automatic summarization: Distill key points from conversations

Real-World Use Cases

Project Context:

"Remember that in this project, we use Jest for testing and 
Prettier with 2-space indentation."

Preference Learning:

"I prefer TypeScript over JavaScript and functional programming 
patterns. Remember this for future suggestions."

Knowledge Retrieval:

"What did we decide about the database schema for the user 
authentication system?"

Setup Difficulty

⭐⭐ Moderate (requires storage configuration)

Installation

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "memory": {
      "command": "mcp-server-memory",
      "args": ["--storage-path", "/path/to/memory/storage"]
    }
  }
}

Why It's Essential

Memory transforms Claude from a stateless assistant into a knowledgeable partner that understands your projects, preferences, and context over time.

Explore Memory MCP Server →

Comparison Table

Server	Difficulty	Use Case	Best For
GitHub	⭐⭐⭐	Code management	Teams using GitHub
Filesystem	⭐	Local files	All developers
PostgreSQL	⭐⭐	Database work	Backend developers
Slack	⭐⭐⭐	Team communication	Collaborative teams
Google Drive	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Document access	Google Workspace users
Puppeteer	⭐⭐	Web automation	QA and data collection
Git	⭐	Version control	All developers
SQLite	⭐	Local databases	Mobile/desktop developers
AWS	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Cloud infrastructure	DevOps teams
Memory	⭐⭐	Context retention	Long-term projects

How to Choose MCP Servers for Your Use Case

For Solo Developers

Start with:

Filesystem - Essential for local development
Git - Version control operations
Memory - Build context over time

For Backend Teams

Prioritize:

PostgreSQL/SQLite - Database access
GitHub - Code collaboration
AWS - Infrastructure management
Slack - Team communication

For Frontend Teams

Focus on:

Filesystem - Component development
Puppeteer - Testing and automation
GitHub - Code review
Google Drive - Design documentation

For DevOps Teams

Essential:

AWS - Cloud infrastructure
Git - Deployment automation
Slack - Incident communication
GitHub - CI/CD integration

For Data Teams

Must-have:

PostgreSQL - Data analysis
SQLite - Local data work
Google Drive - Report access
Puppeteer - Data collection

Getting Started

Step 1: Start Small

Don't install all 10 at once. Begin with 1-2 servers that address your immediate needs.

Step 2: Test Thoroughly

Verify each server works correctly before adding another. Use our setup guide for help.

Step 3: Build Workflows

Once comfortable, combine multiple servers to create powerful workflows. For example:

Use Git + GitHub + Filesystem for complete code management
Combine PostgreSQL + Slack for database alerts
Use Puppeteer + Memory for automated research

Step 4: Expand Gradually

Add more servers as you identify new use cases. Browse our complete directory for 177+ options.

Performance Considerations

Resource Usage

Each MCP server adds minimal overhead:

Memory: ~50-200MB per server
CPU: Negligible when idle
Startup: 1-3 seconds per server

Optimization Tips

Only enable what you need: Disable unused servers
Use specific directories: Don't give filesystem access to your entire drive
Set appropriate timeouts: Prevent hanging operations
Monitor performance: Check Claude Desktop's resource usage

Security Best Practices

General Guidelines

Principle of least privilege: Only grant necessary permissions
Use read-only modes: When possible, restrict write access
Secure credentials: Store API keys in environment variables
Regular updates: Keep servers updated for security patches
Audit access: Review what data each server can access

Credential Management

Never hardcode credentials in configuration files:

❌ Bad:

{
  "env": {
    "API_KEY": "sk-1234567890abcdef"
  }
}

✅ Good:

{
  "env": {
    "API_KEY": "${GITHUB_TOKEN}"
  }
}

Then set environment variables in your shell profile.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Server Won't Start

Verify installation: npm list -g | grep mcp
Check configuration syntax
Review Claude Desktop logs
Test server independently

Slow Performance

Reduce number of active servers
Limit filesystem scope
Use more specific queries
Check network connectivity for cloud services

Authentication Failures

Verify credentials are current
Check token permissions
Ensure environment variables are set
Review service-specific documentation

Advanced Combinations

The Complete Developer Stack

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": { "command": "mcp-server-filesystem", "args": ["~/projects"] },
    "git": { "command": "mcp-server-git", "args": ["~/projects"] },
    "github": { "command": "mcp-server-github", "env": { "GITHUB_TOKEN": "${GITHUB_TOKEN}" } },
    "memory": { "command": "mcp-server-memory", "args": ["--storage-path", "~/.mcp-memory"] }
  }
}

The Data Analyst Stack

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": { "command": "mcp-server-postgres", "env": { "DATABASE_URL": "${DB_URL}" } },
    "sqlite": { "command": "mcp-server-sqlite", "args": ["~/data/analytics.db"] },
    "gdrive": { "command": "mcp-server-gdrive", "env": { "GOOGLE_CLIENT_ID": "${GOOGLE_ID}" } }
  }
}

The DevOps Stack

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "aws": { "command": "mcp-server-aws", "env": { "AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID": "${AWS_KEY}" } },
    "github": { "command": "mcp-server-github", "env": { "GITHUB_TOKEN": "${GITHUB_TOKEN}" } },
    "slack": { "command": "mcp-server-slack", "env": { "SLACK_BOT_TOKEN": "${SLACK_TOKEN}" } }
  }
}

What's Next?

Explore More Servers

These 10 are just the beginning. Our directory features 177+ MCP servers for:

Databases: MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch
Cloud Providers: Azure, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean
Communication: Discord, Teams, Email
Development: Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins
Productivity: Notion, Trello, Jira

Build Custom Servers

Have a unique use case? Learn to build your own MCP server with our development guides.

Join the Community

Share your MCP setups, discover new workflows, and help improve the ecosystem.

Conclusion

These 10 essential MCP servers represent the foundation of a powerful AI-assisted development environment. Start with the servers that match your immediate needs, then expand as you discover new use cases.

Remember: The goal isn't to install all 10 at once, but to thoughtfully integrate the servers that genuinely improve your workflow.

Which server will you try first? Browse our complete directory to explore all available options and find the perfect servers for your needs.

Last updated: March 2025. Server availability and features are current as of publication date. Check individual server documentation for the latest updates.