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MCP gsheets: MCP server, setup and security

MCP gsheets is an open-source MCP server published on GitHub that lets an AI agent read write format and manage spreadsheets through the Google Sheets API. Its repository has 104 stars and its last commit is from October 4, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.

Score
70/100
Adoption (stars) 20/40
Maintenance 30/30
Framework (licence, registry, official) 20/30
Actively maintainedNeeds secrets

What MCP gsheets does

According to its repository: “Google Sheets API integration for reading, writing, formatting and sheet management.”

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard plug between an AI agent and an outside service: once the server is connected, its tools show up in the agent, which decides when to call them. MCP gsheets is listed under Databases, a category of 138 servers in the directory, where it ranks #67 by stars.

Topics declared by the repository: automation, google-sheets-api, nodejs, typescript.

Installing and connecting MCP gsheets

Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:

  • npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx)

It works with any MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and most recent agents). You add one entry to the client's MCP configuration: server name, start command or URL, environment variables. Project language: TypeScript.

The registry lists 2 secret variables to provide (API key, access token). Keep them in the client's environment variables, never in a shared file or a repository.

Security: what to check

Connecting an MCP server means installing software that talks straight to your agent: it runs with your rights and the model trusts its tool descriptions. The risk therefore depends on what it can touch and how far its code can be trusted.

Points found for MCP gsheets:

  • Secrets: the server acts with your credentials. Create a dedicated key with minimum rights and an expiry date.

Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.

Project activity and maintenance

Created on May 24, 2025, the freema/mcp-gsheets repository has 104 stars and 23 forks, with 1 open issues. It has more stars than 67% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 1.10.3 (September 19, 2026).

Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.

DbxDbx : 27.7K27.7KMCP Toolbox for DatabasesMCP Toolbox for Databases : 16.7K16.7KNhostNhost : 9.4K9.4KJitsuJitsu : 5.1K5.1KPostgres MCP (crystaldba)Postgres MCP (crystaldba) : 3.4K3.4KLINQ to DBLINQ to DB : 3.3K3.3KSupabaseSupabase : 3K3KMindwtrMindwtr : 2.3K2.3KMCP gsheetsMCP gsheets : 104104
GitHub stars of the most followed servers in the category (log scale); MCP gsheets in orange. Checked October 25, 2026.

Verdict

MCP gsheets is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.

Strengths

  • Active project: recent commit
  • Listed in the official MCP registry
  • Permissive licence (MIT)

Limitations

  • Requires an API key or token

Avoid if…

  • You do not want to give credentials to an agent

Frequently asked questions

How do I install MCP gsheets?

MCP gsheets is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of freema/mcp-gsheets.

Is MCP gsheets free?

The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge. It needs an API key: the service it connects to may be paid.

Is MCP gsheets safe?

Points to watch: secrets. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.

Is it an official server?

Nothing says so: it is a project published by freema on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.

What are the alternatives to MCP gsheets?

In the same category: Nhost, ArcadeDB MCP Server, Jitsu, and Supabase. Nhost and ArcadeDB MCP Server score higher on our grid.

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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score