Remote MCP Servers - Test and Connect to MCP Servers Online

Most MCP servers run locally via STDIO, but remote MCP servers are accessible over the network via HTTP or SSE (Server-Sent Events). This makes them perfect for testing, prototyping, and cloud-based AI workflows.

This guide explains what remote MCP servers are, how they differ from local servers, and how to test them online.

What Are Remote MCP Servers?

Remote MCP servers are Model Context Protocol servers that:

• Run on a remote host (not your local machine)
• Are accessible via HTTP or SSE transport
• Can be tested from any browser
• Don't require local installation

Remote vs Local MCP Servers

Aspect	Local (STDIO)	Remote (HTTP/SSE)
Installation	Required locally	None needed
Testing	Requires client setup	Browser-based testing
Speed	Fastest (local)	Network latency
Security	Runs in your environment	Requires authentication
Use case	Production, sensitive data	Testing, demos, cloud apps

How to Test Remote MCP Servers

MCP Playground lets you test any remote MCP server instantly:

1. Go to MCP Playground
2. Enter the remote server URL (HTTP or SSE endpoint)
3. Add authentication if required
4. Click Connect
5. Browse tools, test calls, view logs

No installation. No configuration. Just paste the URL and test.

Finding Public MCP Servers

Our MCP server list includes remote servers you can test instantly. Look for servers with:

• HTTP transport: Standard request/response
• SSE transport: Server-Sent Events for streaming

Servers with remote URLs show a "Try It" button that opens them directly in MCP Playground.

Building Your Own Remote MCP Server

To make your MCP server remotely accessible:

Option 1: Express + MCP SDK (Node.js)

import express from "express";
import { McpServer } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/server/index.js";

const app = express();
const mcpServer = new McpServer({ name: "my-server", version: "1.0.0" });

// Add your tools
mcpServer.tool("hello", { name: z.string() }, async ({ name }) => {
  return { message: "Hello " + name + "!" };
});

// HTTP endpoint
app.post("/mcp", (req, res) => mcpServer.handle(req, res));

app.listen(3000);

Option 2: Deploy to Cloudflare Workers

Use Cloudflare's MCP server template for serverless remote MCP:

npx create-cloudflare@latest my-mcp-server --template=mcp

Security for Remote MCP Servers

When exposing MCP servers remotely:

• Always use HTTPS: Never expose over plain HTTP
• Require authentication: API keys, OAuth, or tokens
• Rate limit: Prevent abuse and DDoS
• Validate inputs: Never trust client data
• Log everything: For debugging and security audits

Why Use Remote MCP Servers?

• Quick testing: Test before installing locally
• Team collaboration: Share servers across team
• Cloud-native apps: Serverless AI integrations
• Demos and prototypes: Show capabilities without setup

Test Remote MCP Servers Now

Ready to test a remote MCP server? Use MCP Playground - the fastest way to connect and test any remote MCP server.

Or browse our MCP server list to find remote servers to test.

Start testing now → MCP Playground