Head-to-head · MQTT Broker Software
AWS IoT Core vs Azure Event Grid MQTT broker
AWS IoT Core leads on 0 checks, Azure Event Grid MQTT broker on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreAWS IoT Core · 9.4/10
AWS IoT Core scores higher on our rubric for mqtt broker software: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.
AWS IoT Core is the better fit for AWS-centric managed IoT deployments. Azure Event Grid MQTT broker is the better fit for azure-centric managed IoT deployments.
- AWS IoT Core fits best
AWS-centric managed IoT deployments
- Azure Event Grid MQTT broker fits best
Azure-centric managed IoT deployments
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Side by side
| Feature | AWS IoT Core 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Azure Event Grid MQTT broker 9.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 9.2 |
| Ranking | #1 in MQTT Broker Software | #2 in MQTT Broker Software |
| Best for | AWS-centric managed IoT deployments | Azure-centric managed IoT deployments |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Not checked yet | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Integrations | 5 integrations | 5 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features AWS IoT Core 1/2 · Azure Event Grid MQTT broker 1/2 | ||
| Retained messages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Clustering | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Managed | Managed |
| MQTT versions | 3.1.1, 5.0 | MQTT 3.1.1, MQTT 3.1.1 over WebSocket, MQTT 5, MQTT 5 over WebSocket |
| Connection limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Authentication methods | X.509 client certificates, AWS Signature Version 4, custom authorizers | CA-signed or self-signed certificates; Microsoft Entra ID JWT; third-party OAuth 2.0 JWT; custom webhook (can validate SAS tokens, username/password, or certificate revocation) |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | AWS IoT Core is a managed cloud service for connecting internet-connected devices to AWS and supporting device-to-cloud and cloud-to-device communication. It suits teams building connected-device fleets across industrial, consumer, and… Read the review → |
Azure Event Grid MQTT broker provides managed MQTT messaging in an Event Grid namespace, for teams connecting IoT devices and applications to Azure services. It supports MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5, including WebSocket transport, and covers core… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
AWS IoT Core — where it wins
- Supports MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5, including retained messages and persistent sessions
- Routes filtered or transformed IoT messages to AWS services
- Offers X.509, SigV4, and custom-authorizer authentication
Where it doesn't
- Usage-based pricing varies by component and region
- Designed for managed cloud deployment rather than self-hosting
- Integrations center on AWS services
Azure Event Grid MQTT broker — where it wins
- Supports MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5, including WebSocket transport
- Routes MQTT messages to Azure services and webhooks
- Offers certificate, Entra ID, OAuth JWT, and webhook authentication
Where it doesn't
- Paid Event Grid Standard Tier is required
- Pricing varies with throughput units and operations
- MQTT connection capacity depends on configured throughput units
- AWS IoT Core9.4/10 · Paid
A managed MQTT broker with device tools and message routing for AWS-centric IoT systems.
Visit AWS IoT CoreFull verdict → - Azure Event Grid MQTT broker9.2/10 · Paid
A managed MQTT broker with Azure routing, flexible authentication, and usage-based pricing.
Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
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- Azure Event Grid MQTT broker vs Apache BifroMQ
- Azure Event Grid MQTT broker vs Eclipse Amlen
All MQTT broker software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update