Remote vs Local MCP Servers: Streamable HTTP vs STDIO

MCP servers can run in two modes: as remote web services (HTTP/SSE) or as local processes (STDIO). Understanding the differences helps you choose the right approach for your use case.

Remote MCP Servers (HTTP/SSE)

Remote MCP servers run as web services accessible over HTTP or HTTPS. Corcava uses this approach, providing a centralized MCP server that multiple users can connect to.

How Remote Servers Work

Server runs as a web application (like Corcava's API)
Clients connect via HTTP/HTTPS requests
Supports Server-Sent Events (SSE) for streaming responses
Uses standard REST-like endpoints for tool calls
Requires network connectivity

Advantages of Remote Servers

Multi-user Support: One server serves many clients simultaneously
Centralized Management: Updates and maintenance happen in one place
Scalability: Can handle high load with proper infrastructure
Security: API keys, OAuth, and other enterprise auth methods
Accessibility: Access from any device with internet connection
Audit Logging: Centralized logs for compliance and debugging
Team Collaboration: Shared data and permissions across team members

Disadvantages of Remote Servers

Network Dependency: Requires internet connectivity
Latency: Network round-trips add delay (usually minimal)
Deployment Complexity: Requires hosting infrastructure
Cost: Server hosting and maintenance costs

Local MCP Servers (STDIO)

Local MCP servers run as processes on the user's machine, communicating via standard input/output (STDIO). This is common for personal productivity tools.

How Local Servers Work

Server runs as a local process (script or application)
Client spawns the server process
Communication via standard input/output streams
JSON-RPC protocol over STDIO
No network required

Advantages of Local Servers

No Network Required: Works completely offline
Low Latency: Direct process communication, no network hops
Privacy: Data never leaves your machine
Simple Deployment: Just install the server binary/script
No Hosting Costs: Runs on your local machine
Full Control: Customize and modify as needed

Disadvantages of Local Servers

Single User: Each user runs their own instance
No Centralized Data: Can't share data across team easily
Maintenance Burden: Each user must update their local server
Limited Scalability: Bound by local machine resources
Platform Specific: May need different versions per OS

Decision Table: When to Use Each

Use Case	Remote (HTTP/SSE)	Local (STDIO)
Team collaboration	✅ Best	❌ Not ideal
SaaS applications	✅ Best	❌ Not possible
Personal productivity	✅ Good	✅ Also good
Offline usage	❌ Requires internet	✅ Works offline
Enterprise security	✅ OAuth, SSO, audit logs	⚠️ Local only
Low latency requirements	⚠️ Network latency	✅ Minimal latency
Centralized updates	✅ Automatic	❌ Manual per user

When to Use Corcava as a Remote Server

Corcava's MCP server is designed as a remote service, making it ideal for:

✅ Team Workflows

When multiple team members need to access the same project data:

Shared task lists and projects
Collaborative planning and reporting
Team-wide time tracking
Unified project visibility

✅ Multi-Device Access

When you work across multiple devices:

Desktop, laptop, and mobile
Work from different locations
Switch between devices seamlessly
Always have latest data

✅ Enterprise Requirements

When you need enterprise features:

API key management and rotation
Audit logs and compliance
Role-based access control
Centralized security policies

✅ SaaS Integration

When integrating with cloud services:

Always-available service
Automatic updates and improvements
Scalable infrastructure
Professional support

Security Considerations

Remote Servers

API Keys: Token-based authentication
HTTPS: Encrypted connections
OAuth/SSO: Enterprise authentication
Rate Limiting: Protection against abuse
Audit Logs: Track all operations
Key Rotation: Easy revocation and rotation

Local Servers

File Permissions: OS-level security
No Network: Reduced attack surface
Local Data: Never leaves machine
User Control: Full control over access
No Central Logging: Privacy but less visibility

Portability and Deployment

Remote Server Deployment

Deploying a remote MCP server requires:

Web server infrastructure (cloud hosting, VPS, etc.)
HTTPS certificate for secure connections
Database and data storage
Monitoring and logging infrastructure
Backup and disaster recovery

With Corcava, all of this is handled for you. Just connect your AI client and start using it.

Local Server Deployment

Deploying a local MCP server requires:

Installation on each user's machine
Platform-specific binaries or scripts
Local configuration files
Manual updates per user
Local data storage management

Multi-User Setups

One key difference is how each approach handles multiple users:

Remote Server (Corcava)

One server instance serves all users
Shared data model with team permissions
Centralized configuration and updates
Team-wide features (shared projects, collaboration)
Unified audit trail across team

Local Server

Each user runs their own instance
Separate data per user
Individual configuration per machine
No built-in collaboration features
Separate logs per user

Latency and Performance

Performance characteristics differ between the two approaches:

Remote Server

Network Latency: 50-200ms typical (depends on location)
Throughput: Limited by network bandwidth
Scalability: Can scale horizontally
Reliability: Depends on network and server uptime

Local Server

Process Latency:<5ms typical (in-memory)
Throughput: Limited by local CPU/memory
Scalability: Limited to single machine
Reliability: Depends on local machine stability

For most project management use cases, the network latency of remote servers is negligible compared to the benefits of centralized data and team collaboration.

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