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Head-to-head · MQTT Broker Software

Azure Event Grid MQTT broker vs Eclipse Mosquitto

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Azure Event Grid MQTT broker #2 in MQTT Broker Software 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Microsoft
Eclipse Mosquitto #7 in MQTT Broker Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Mosquitto

Azure Event Grid MQTT broker 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 scoreAzure Event Grid MQTT broker · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly Eclipse Mosquitto
  • Most featuresAzure Event Grid MQTT broker · 1 of 2

Azure Event Grid MQTT broker scores higher on our rubric for mqtt broker software: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Eclipse Mosquitto offers free plan; Azure Event Grid MQTT broker doesn't.

Azure Event Grid MQTT broker is the better fit for azure-centric managed IoT deployments. Eclipse Mosquitto is the better fit for A straightforward free self-hosted MQTT broker.

  • Azure Event Grid MQTT broker fits best

    Azure-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 Azure Event Grid MQTT broker 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Eclipse Mosquitto 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.7
Ranking #2 in MQTT Broker Software #7 in MQTT Broker Software
Best for Azure-centric managed IoT deployments A straightforward free self-hosted MQTT broker
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price — Free plan
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Self-hosted
Platforms Web Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Azure Event Grid MQTT broker 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 MQTT 3.1.1, MQTT 3.1.1 over WebSocket, MQTT 5, MQTT 5 over WebSocket Not checked yet
Connection limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Authentication methods 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) Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
  • Paid Event Grid Standard Tier is required
  • Pricing varies with throughput units and operations
  • MQTT connection capacity depends on configured throughput units
  • 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

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 →

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. Azure Event Grid MQTT brokerMQTT Broker Software 9.2Paid
  2. Eclipse MosquittoMQTT Broker Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • 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
  • Azure Event Grid MQTT broker9.2/10 · Paid

    A managed MQTT broker with Azure routing, flexible authentication, and usage-based pricing.

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
  • Eclipse Mosquitto8.7/10 · Free plan

    A free, self-hosted MQTT broker with core messaging, security, and bridging features.

    Visit MosquittoFull verdict →

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