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Head-to-head · MQTT Broker Software

Apache BifroMQ vs Eclipse Amlen

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Apache BifroMQ #3 in MQTT Broker Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Apache BifroMQ
Eclipse Amlen #4 in MQTT Broker Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Eclipse Amlen

Apache BifroMQ leads on 0 checks, Eclipse Amlen on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreApache BifroMQ · 9.1/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresApache BifroMQ · 2 of 2

Apache BifroMQ scores higher on our rubric for mqtt broker software: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

Apache BifroMQ is the better fit for teams building self-hosted, clustered MQTT systems. Eclipse Amlen is the better fit for teams needing MQTT alongside JMS messaging.

  • Apache BifroMQ fits best

    Teams building self-hosted, clustered MQTT systems

  • Eclipse Amlen fits best

    Teams needing MQTT alongside JMS messaging

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Apache BifroMQ 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Eclipse Amlen 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 9.0
Ranking #3 in MQTT Broker Software #4 in MQTT Broker Software
Best for Teams building self-hosted, clustered MQTT systems Teams needing MQTT alongside JMS messaging
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Linux, Windows, macOS Web, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache BifroMQ 2/2 · Eclipse Amlen 0/2
Retained messages ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Clustering ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Not checked yet
MQTT versions 3.1, 3.1.1, 5.0 Not checked yet
Connection limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Authentication methods AuthProvider plugin; demo WebHook-based AuthProvider Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports MQTT 3.1, 3.1.1, and 5.0 over TCP, TLS, and WebSockets
  • Native tenant isolation with resource sharing and tenant-level throttling
  • Distributed storage, clustering, persistent sessions, and retained messages
  • Supports MQTT versions 3 through 5 over TCP/IP and WebSockets
  • Offers at-most-once, at-least-once, and exactly-once delivery
  • Includes JMS support, custom protocol plug-ins, and REST administration
Cons
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and integration into a broader system
  • Authentication and authorization need an AuthProvider plugin configured
  • Support channels are community and documentation
  • Requires teams to deploy and operate the broker themselves
  • Its scope extends beyond MQTT into JMS and point-to-point messaging
  • Support is centered on community resources and documentation
Our verdict

Apache BifroMQ is an open-source, self-hosted MQTT broker for IoT messaging workloads. It suits teams that want to run broker infrastructure as part of a broader system, including small, mid-market, and enterprise organizations. The…

Read the review →

Eclipse Amlen is an open-source message broker for IoT, mobile, and web workloads. It suits teams that want to host their own messaging service and need MQTT alongside other messaging approaches. MQTT versions 3 through 5 run over TCP/IP…

Read the review →
  1. Apache BifroMQMQTT Broker Software 9.1Free plan
  2. Eclipse AmlenMQTT Broker Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Apache BifroMQ — where it wins

    • Supports MQTT 3.1, 3.1.1, and 5.0 over TCP, TLS, and WebSockets
    • Native tenant isolation with resource sharing and tenant-level throttling
    • Distributed storage, clustering, persistent sessions, and retained messages

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosted deployment and integration into a broader system
    • Authentication and authorization need an AuthProvider plugin configured
    • Support channels are community and documentation

  • Eclipse Amlen — where it wins

    • Supports MQTT versions 3 through 5 over TCP/IP and WebSockets
    • Offers at-most-once, at-least-once, and exactly-once delivery
    • Includes JMS support, custom protocol plug-ins, and REST administration

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires teams to deploy and operate the broker themselves
    • Its scope extends beyond MQTT into JMS and point-to-point messaging
    • Support is centered on community resources and documentation

Apache BifroMQ vs Eclipse Amlen: questions

Which is better for MQTT broker software, Apache BifroMQ or Eclipse Amlen?

Apache BifroMQ scores higher on our rubric for mqtt broker software: 9.1 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

How do Apache BifroMQ and Eclipse Amlen compare?

All 3 checks we put side by side come out level: neither leads on any.

Do Apache BifroMQ and Eclipse Amlen have a free plan?

Apache BifroMQ: Yes. Eclipse Amlen: Yes.

More comparisons

All MQTT broker software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026

Last updated · How we research and update