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Head-to-head · MQTT Broker Software

AWS IoT Core vs Eclipse Mosquitto

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score AWS IoT Core #1 in MQTT Broker Software 9.4/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit AWS IoT Core
Eclipse Mosquitto #7 in MQTT Broker Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Mosquitto

AWS IoT Core leads on 0 checks, Eclipse Mosquitto on 1, and 1 is 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
  • Free planonly Eclipse Mosquitto
  • Most featuresAWS IoT Core · 1 of 2

AWS IoT Core scores higher on our rubric for mqtt broker software: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Eclipse Mosquitto offers free plan; AWS IoT Core doesn't.

AWS IoT Core is the better fit for AWS-centric managed IoT deployments. Eclipse Mosquitto is the better fit for A straightforward free self-hosted MQTT broker.

  • AWS IoT Core fits best

    AWS-centric managed IoT deployments

  • Eclipse Mosquitto fits best

    A straightforward free self-hosted MQTT broker

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 AWS IoT Core 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Eclipse Mosquitto 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 8.7
Ranking #1 in MQTT Broker Software #7 in MQTT Broker Software
Best for AWS-centric managed IoT deployments A straightforward free self-hosted MQTT broker
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price Not checked yet Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Self-hosted
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features AWS IoT Core 1/2 · Eclipse Mosquitto 0/2
Retained messages ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Clustering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Managed Not checked yet
MQTT versions 3.1.1, 5.0 Not checked yet
Connection limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Authentication methods X.509 client certificates, AWS Signature Version 4, custom authorizers Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Supports MQTT 5.0, 3.1.1, and 3.1 with QoS 0, 1, and 2
  • Includes TLS, authentication, and topic access control lists
  • Offers retained messages, durable sessions, bridging, and WebSockets
Cons
  • Usage-based pricing varies by component and region
  • Designed for managed cloud deployment rather than self-hosting
  • Integrations center on AWS services
  • Requires self-hosted deployment and broker administration
  • Support channels are community and documentation
  • No official paid plans for buyers seeking a paid support tier
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 →

Eclipse Mosquitto is an open-source MQTT message broker for clients, IoT devices, embedded systems, and servers. It suits solo developers and small or mid-market teams that want a free, self-hosted broker with standard MQTT messaging…

Read the review →
  1. AWS IoT CoreMQTT Broker Software 9.4Paid
  2. Eclipse MosquittoMQTT Broker Software 8.7Free plan

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

  • Eclipse Mosquitto — where it wins

    • Supports MQTT 5.0, 3.1.1, and 3.1 with QoS 0, 1, and 2
    • Includes TLS, authentication, and topic access control lists
    • Offers retained messages, durable sessions, bridging, and WebSockets

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires self-hosted deployment and broker administration
    • Support channels are community and documentation
    • No official paid plans for buyers seeking a paid support tier

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