The best MCP servers to run with Claude Code and Claude Desktop, beyond the standard app connectors
Short answer
A free guide to the best MCP servers for Claude in October 2026: what MCP servers are, local vs remote, how to add them in Claude Code and Claude Desktop, the best picks for coding, browsers and testing, docs and search, data, design and 3D, and the official reference servers, plus context costs and security.
MCP, the Model Context Protocol, is the open standard Anthropic created for connecting AI to tools and data. An MCP server gives Claude new tools, such as reading a database, controlling a browser, or editing a design.
Remote servers
Hosted by a company. Usually added as connectors with a sign-in
Local servers
Run on your own computer. Often used with Claude Code and Claude Desktop
This guide focuses on MCP servers for builders and creators. For everyday app connectors, see our Best Claude Connectors and 20 Best Claude MCPs guides.
Add the server your task needs, not every server you can find.
02
How to add one
In Claude Code, run claude mcp add with the server’s details, or install a plugin that includes it
Use /mcp in Claude Code to see connected servers and sign in
In Claude Desktop, add remote servers as connectors, or install desktop extensions
Follow each server’s official setup instructions
03
Best for coding
1 · GitHub MCP Server
GitHub’s official server for repositories, issues, pull requests, and Actions.
2 · Context7
Pulls current, version-specific library docs into Claude, so code uses today’s APIs.
3 · Sentry
Brings real production errors into debugging.
04
Best for browsers and testing
4 · Playwright MCP
Microsoft’s server that lets Claude drive a browser to test and check pages.
5 · Chrome DevTools MCP
Google’s server for inspecting performance, network requests, and console errors.
05
Best for search and the web
6 · Exa
AI-focused web search with clean results.
7 · Brave Search
Web search through Brave’s search API.
8 · Firecrawl
Turns web pages into clean text. Respect each site’s terms and robots rules.
06
Best for data
9 · MCP Toolbox for Databases
Google’s open-source server for connecting to databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, and BigQuery.
10 · Supabase
Manages Supabase databases and projects. Use a development project, not production.
11 · Stripe
Answers payment and subscription questions from your Stripe account.
07
Best for design, motion, and 3D
12 · Figma MCP server
Figma’s server that gives Claude design context for turning designs into code.
13 · Lottie Creator MCP
LottieFiles’ official server for building and editing Lottie animations.
14 · Rive MCP
Bundled in the Rive Editor Early Access app for Mac, for interactive animations.
15 · Blender MCP
The official server from Blender Lab. Requires Blender 5.1 or newer.
08
Official reference servers
The MCP project maintains small reference servers that show how MCP works:
16 · Fetch
Fetches web pages and converts them for Claude.
17 · Filesystem
Controlled file access in folders you choose.
18 · Git
Reads and works with local Git repositories.
19 · Memory
A simple knowledge graph Claude can remember things in.
20 · Sequential Thinking
Helps Claude break problems into steps.
Claude Code already has built-in file and Git tools, so add these only when you need them elsewhere.
09
Watch the context cost
Every connected server adds tool descriptions Claude must read
Claude Code can load MCP tools only when needed, which saves context
Disconnect servers you are not using
Use /context in Claude Code to see what is using space
10
Stay secure
Install only official servers or well-known open-source ones
Read what each server can access before connecting it
Never paste API keys into chats. Use environment variables or the server’s sign-in
Use read-only or test accounts where possible
Treat text from websites and files as data, because it can contain hidden instructions
11
Starter packs
Web developer
GitHub, Context7, Playwright, Chrome DevTools
Data analyst
MCP Toolbox for Databases, Stripe
Researcher
Exa or Brave Search, Fetch
Motion designer
Figma, Lottie Creator, Rive, Blender
The golden rule
Do not turn Claude into a toolbox of 50 servers. Add the few that remove real friction from your work.
Coding
Browser
Search
Data
Design
Reference
Security
Add Context7 and one server for your main tool today, then check /context to see the cost.
It has 11 sections, starting with “What is an MCP server?”, “How to add one”, “Best for coding” and “Best for browsers and testing”, plus 7 more sections.
How long does it take to read?
About 3 minutes. Every section is a short, self-contained card, so you can jump straight to the part you need.
Is this guide free?
Yes. The full guide is free to read on this page, with no sign-up.
This site works without tracking you. Essential storage is always on so pages load and work correctly. You decide whether we may measure anonymous page views and whether your browsing preferences are saved on your device. Read the Privacy Policy.