What is a remote MCP server?

A remote MCP server is an online server you add by web address, so there is nothing to install on your computer.

A remote MCP server is an MCP server that runs on the internet instead of on your computer. You add its web address to your AI app and sign in, so there is nothing to install.

Also called remote MCP, hosted MCP server, MCP remote, mcp-remote, remote MCP servers.

The opposite is a local server, which your app starts on your own machine. Local servers talk through standard input and output. Remote ones use a web connection called Streamable HTTP, and MCP recommends OAuth (the usual "sign in with your account" flow) to log you in.

A remote server can serve many people at once, and the company that runs it updates it for everyone. The trade-off is that it must be online, and you are trusting that company with the access you grant.

In Claude, you add one as a custom connector. See what an MCP connector is.

Apps that only run local servers can still reach a remote one through the mcp-remote helper. Its README uses this config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "remote-example": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["mcp-remote", "https://remote.mcp.server/sse"]
    }
  }
}

Related:MCP serverMCP client MCP connectorStreamable HTTPModel Context Protocol (MCP)

A remote MCP server runs online and you connect to it by web address. You add the address in your AI app, sign in with your account and start using its tools. In Claude you do this under Settings, then Connectors, as a custom connector. See the Notion and Linear pages for two hosted examples.

The MCP docs say remote servers suit web-based AI apps and services that need sign-in or server-side processing, while local servers must be installed and set up on each device. The one thing to know first: check that the company is who you think it is, and review the permissions it asks for before you accept.

Some older apps only run local servers. For those, a small helper called mcp-remote on npm acts as a bridge. You run it as a local server, and it forwards to the remote address and handles sign-in. Its own README says to remove it once your app supports remote servers directly.

Good for

Claude and ChatGPT users adding Notion, Linear or GitHub
Teams who want one setup for everyone, with no local installs
Developers choosing between a local and a hosted server
Users of apps that only run local servers and need a bridge

Comparison

Our advice: use a remote server when the vendor offers one, since you only add an address and sign in. Use a local server for tools that must touch your own files.

Option	Runs	Install needed	Sign-in	Serves
Remote serverThis page	Online	No	OAuth usually	Many people
Local server	Your computer	Yes	Often none	One app
Local plus mcp-remote	Bridge	Yes	OAuth	One app

Questions

What is a remote MCP server?

An MCP server hosted on the internet by the company behind it. You add its web address to your AI app and sign in. Nothing runs on your computer.

How do I connect to a remote MCP server?

In Claude, open Settings, then Connectors, click Add, choose Add custom connector, paste the server's address and sign in. Other apps have their own screen for it, and each server page here lists the steps per app.

What is the difference between a remote and a local MCP server?

A local server runs on your computer and is started by your app. A remote server runs online and serves many people. Local servers can reach your files, and remote ones need sign-in and an internet connection.

What is mcp-remote?

A small npm package that lets an app that only supports local servers talk to a remote one. You add it to the app's config as a local server with the remote address, and it handles sign-in. Remove it when your app supports remote servers itself.

Do I need mcp-remote for Claude?

No. Claude connects to remote servers directly as custom connectors. mcp-remote is for apps that only run local servers.

What is the URL of a remote MCP server?

It is set by whoever runs the server. Each server page here shows its address, for example on Notion MCP and Linear MCP.

Are remote MCP servers safe?

They are as safe as the company behind them. A server acts with the access you grant it. Connect only to sources you trust and read the permissions on the sign-in screen.

Why does a remote MCP server ask me to sign in?

It needs to know whose data to reach. MCP recommends OAuth for this, so you approve access with your own account instead of sharing a password.

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 3

Connect to remote MCP servers · modelcontextprotocol.io
Architecture overview · modelcontextprotocol.io
mcp-remote README · github.com