Remote MCP
Remote MCP is a server hosted at a URL that clients reach over HTTP, so nothing needs to run on the user's machine.
What it means
A remote MCP server runs on a vendor's infrastructure. You add its URL to your client, and the client connects over HTTP or a streaming transport. Setup is quick, and the vendor handles updates. Many search providers now offer this form, sometimes alongside a local package.
Remote servers still need authentication. Some use OAuth, where the client opens a browser for sign-in. Others accept an API key in a header or, less safely, in the URL. A key in a URL can end up in logs and shared configs, so prefer the header or OAuth where the client allows it. Remote servers also make it easier for a team to share one configured endpoint, though each person still needs their own account or key for billing and access.
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Cite this entry
https://searchmcpserver.com/glossary/remote-mcp/