Remote MCP Servers vs Local MCP Servers: Deployment and Governance
Choosing between remote and local MCP server deployment? This governance-focused comparison covers multi-user support, key management, compliance requirements, and operational burden. Use our checklist to determine which deployment model fits your organization's needs.
Understanding the Two Deployment Models
Remote MCP Servers
MCP servers hosted in the cloud, accessible via HTTP/HTTPS. Managed by third-party providers or your organization's infrastructure team.
- Cloud-hosted
- Centralized management
- Multi-user ready
- Managed by provider
- Requires API keys
Local MCP Servers
MCP servers running on individual machines or local infrastructure. Each user or team manages their own instance.
- Local installation
- Individual management
- Single-user focused
- User maintains
- Local configuration
Governance Comparison
Multi-User Support
Remote MCP Servers
- Centralized Access: Single server serves multiple users
- User Management: Provider handles user accounts and permissions
- Team Features: Built-in support for teams and organizations
- Consistent Experience: All users access same server version
- Scalability: Handles many concurrent users
Local MCP Servers
- Individual Instances: Each user runs their own server
- No Central Management: Users manage their own setup
- Version Inconsistency: Different users may run different versions
- Isolation: Users' data and configurations are separate
- Coordination Challenges: Harder to ensure team consistency
Key Management
Remote MCP Servers
- Centralized Keys: Provider manages API key generation
- Key Rotation: Provider handles rotation policies
- Access Control: Provider manages key permissions
- Audit Trail: Provider logs key usage
- Revocation: Easy to revoke compromised keys
Local MCP Servers
- User-Managed Keys: Each user manages their own keys
- Manual Rotation: Users must rotate keys themselves
- No Central Control: Hard to track key usage across team
- Limited Auditing: No centralized audit trail
- Revocation Complexity: Must revoke keys individually
Compliance
Remote MCP Servers
- Provider Compliance: Provider handles SOC 2, GDPR, etc.
- Data Residency: Provider manages data location
- Audit Logs: Provider maintains compliance logs
- Security Standards: Provider implements security controls
- Certifications: Provider maintains certifications
Local MCP Servers
- Your Responsibility: You handle all compliance
- Data Control: You control where data is stored
- Manual Auditing: You must maintain audit logs
- Security Implementation: You implement security controls
- Certification Burden: You maintain certifications
Operational Burden
Remote MCP Servers
- Provider Maintains: Updates, patches, monitoring handled by provider
- Low Maintenance: Minimal operational overhead
- Automatic Updates: Provider deploys updates
- Monitoring: Provider monitors uptime and performance
- Support: Provider offers support
Local MCP Servers
- You Maintain: You handle updates, patches, monitoring
- High Maintenance: Significant operational overhead
- Manual Updates: You must deploy updates
- Self-Monitoring: You monitor uptime and performance
- Self-Support: You troubleshoot issues
Decision Checklist
Choose Remote MCP Servers If:
- ✅ You need multi-user support
- ✅ You want centralized key management
- ✅ You need compliance handled by provider
- ✅ You want to minimize operational burden
- ✅ You need team consistency
- ✅ You want automatic updates
- ✅ You need provider support
Choose Local MCP Servers If:
- ✅ You need complete data control
- ✅ You have specific compliance requirements
- ✅ You want to avoid third-party dependencies
- ✅ You have infrastructure team to maintain
- ✅ You need custom modifications
- ✅ You work in air-gapped environments
- ✅ You're a single user or small team
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Remote MCP | Local MCP |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-User Support | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Per-user |
| Key Management | ✅ Centralized | ⚠️ User-managed |
| Compliance | ✅ Provider handles | ⚠️ Your responsibility |
| Operational Burden | ✅ Low | ⚠️ High |
| Data Control | ⚠️ Provider controls | ✅ You control |
| Updates | ✅ Automatic | ⚠️ Manual |
| Setup Complexity | ✅ Simple | ⚠️ Complex |
✅ = Full support | ⚠️ = Partial support | ❌ = Not available
Getting Started with Remote MCP
Quick Setup Steps
- Create a Corcava API key
- Add Corcava MCP to your IDE
- Configure team access and permissions
- Set up key rotation policies
Related Resources
Corcava MCP Quickstart
Get started with remote MCP
Security Best Practices
Key management and security
Enterprise MCP
Governance and compliance
Multi-Server Setup
Using multiple MCP servers
Choose the Right Deployment Model
Use this comparison to decide between remote and local MCP server deployment based on your governance needs