Apache BifroMQ vs HiveMQ MQTT Broker

ABApache BifroMQ9.1Visit HiveMQ MQTT Broker8.8Visit

Higher score AB Apache BifroMQ #3 in MQTT Broker Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Apache BifroMQ

vs

HiveMQ MQTT Broker #6 in MQTT Broker Software 8.8/10 Free plan · 15-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit HiveMQ

• Apache BifroMQ fits best

  Teams building self-hosted, clustered MQTT systems

• HiveMQ MQTT Broker fits best

  Teams needing managed or self-managed MQTT with QoS 2

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	ABApache BifroMQ 9.1/10 Visit ↗	HiveMQ MQTT Broker 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.8
Ranking	#3 in MQTT Broker Software	#6 in MQTT Broker Software
Best for	Teams building self-hosted, clustered MQTT systems	Teams needing managed or self-managed MQTT with QoS 2
Pricing model	Free	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	15 days
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux, Windows, macOS	Windows, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Community, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Apache BifroMQ 2/2 · HiveMQ MQTT Broker 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 3.1, 3.1.1, and 5 with all three QoS levels Offers managed and self-managed deployment options Connects with data platforms including Kafka, Kinesis, and Snowflake
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	Self-managed Lab and Launch plans are limited to one broker deployment Listed monthly self-managed plans start at $299 Several enterprise plan prices depend on custom capacity
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 →	HiveMQ MQTT Broker connects devices, applications, and enterprise systems through MQTT messaging. It supports MQTT 3.1, 3.1.1, and 5, with QoS 0, 1, and 2, persistent sessions, message queuing, clustering, and security controls. Managed… Read the review →

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

• HiveMQ MQTT Broker — where it wins

  • Supports MQTT 3.1, 3.1.1, and 5 with all three QoS levels
  • Offers managed and self-managed deployment options
  • Connects with data platforms including Kafka, Kinesis, and Snowflake

  Where it doesn't

  • Self-managed Lab and Launch plans are limited to one broker deployment
  • Listed monthly self-managed plans start at $299
  • Several enterprise plan prices depend on custom capacity

• ABApache BifroMQ9.1/10 · Free plan

  A self-hosted broker with clustering, distributed storage, and support for MQTT 3.1 through 5.0.

  Visit Apache BifroMQFull verdict →
• HiveMQ MQTT Broker8.8/10 · Free plan · 15-day trial

  Flexible managed or self-managed MQTT with QoS 2, clustering, and broad integrations.

  Visit HiveMQFull verdict →