VERIFIED

Brave Search

Safety: 75/100

0.0(0)

Brave Search MCP server provides web, image, news, video, and local search capabilities via the Brave Search API, requiring an API key for access.

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Overview

Brave Search MCP server provides web, image, news, video, and local search capabilities via the Brave Search API, requiring an API key for access.

The Brave Search MCP server is relatively safe for read-only search operations. Risks are primarily related to API key management and potential information exposure through search queries. Using environment variables for the API key and limiting query scope can mitigate risks.

Performance depends on the Brave Search API's response times and network latency. Consider caching frequently accessed search results to improve response times.

Cost is primarily determined by the Brave Search API plan. Be mindful of the number of API calls made, especially with local search, which may require a Pro plan.

HybridTypeScript95 starsReleased 2/4/2026CI/CD

Connections & Capabilities

Connects To

GitHubDockerBrave Search

Capabilities

Read

Client Compatibility

Claude Desktop

full

Cursor

untested

Windsurf

untested

VS Code (Copilot)

untested

Quickstart

Claude Desktop Config

{
  "mcp-servers": {
    "brave-search": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "-i",
        "--rm",
        "-e",
        "BRAVE_API_KEY",
        "brave-search-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "YOUR API KEY HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Environment Variables

BRAVE_API_KEY

Tools (5)

safe

brave_web_search

Executes web searches using Brave's API and returns results.

Read-only operation; retrieves information without modifying any data.

safe

brave_image_search

Retrieves images from the web relevant to the specified query.

Read-only operation; retrieves image results without modifying any data.

safe

brave_news_search

Searches the web for news articles, trending topics, or recent events.

Read-only operation; retrieves news results without modifying any data.

safe

brave_local_search

Searches for local businesses, services, and points of interest.

Read-only operation; retrieves local search results without modifying any data.

safe

brave_video_search

Searches the web for videos related to the specified query.

Read-only operation; retrieves video results without modifying any data.

Security

Auth Method

API Key

Data Locality

hybrid

Known Risks

!API key exposure if not stored securely.
!Potential for denial-of-service if API usage limits are not respected.
!Reliance on the availability and security of the Brave Search API.
!Information disclosure through search queries if not handled carefully.

Safety Score

moderate risk

Positive

+Read-only access to search functionalities.
+Requires an API key for authentication.
+No direct write or delete operations on external systems.
+Limited scope of operations to search-related tasks.

Risks

-Exposure of API key if not handled securely.
-Potential for information leakage through search queries.
-Dependency on the security of the Brave Search API.
-Local search requires a Pro API plan, potentially increasing cost and data exposure.

Use Cases

Information Retrieval

-General web search for information gathering.
-News aggregation and trend analysis.
-Image search for content creation and research.

Local Business Discovery

-Finding nearby restaurants and services.
-Identifying local points of interest for travel planning.
-Discovering local businesses for specific needs.

Content Creation

-Video search for research and inspiration.
-Image search for visual content.
-News search for current events and context.

Who Is This For?

Best For

Applications requiring web search capabilities.
Tools needing image, news, or video search functionalities.
Platforms integrating local business discovery features.
Chatbots and virtual assistants providing information retrieval services.

Not Ideal For

Applications requiring real-time data updates.
Systems needing write access to external resources.
Environments with strict security requirements prohibiting external API calls.

Autonomy & Execution

Default ModeRead-only

Sandboxed

The server primarily supports read-only operations, limiting the risk of unintended modifications or destructive actions. Sandboxing further enhances safety by isolating the execution environment.

StatelessYes

Retry LogicNot documented

ConcurrencyNot documented

Production Tip

Monitor API usage to avoid exceeding rate limits and incurring unexpected costs. Implement robust error handling to gracefully manage API failures.

FAQ

What is the Brave Search MCP server?

It's an implementation that integrates the Brave Search API, providing web, image, news, video, and local search capabilities to MCP-compatible clients.

How do I get an API key?

What environment variables are supported?

BRAVE_API_KEY (required), PORT (optional), HOST (optional), and ALLOWED_HOSTS (optional).

How do I use this with ChatGPT?

Enable developer mode, run the MCP server in HTTP and UI mode, create a local tunnel, and add the Brave Search MCP as a connector to ChatGPT.

Does local search require a Pro API plan?

Yes, local search requires a subscription to the Pro API plan for location results. Otherwise, it falls back to brave_web_search.

What are the limitations on the number of results returned?

The maximum number of results varies by tool: web search (20), image search (50), news search (20), local search (20), and video search (20).

How do I filter search results by date?

Use the 'freshness' parameter with values like 'pd', 'pw', 'pm', 'py', or a custom date range in 'YYYY-MM-DDtoYYYY-MM-DD' format.

Metrics

Discovered2/14/2026

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Saved By0 users

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