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Head-to-head · MQTT Broker Software

Azure Event Grid MQTT broker vs EMQX

  • 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
EMQX #5 in MQTT Broker Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit EMQX

Azure Event Grid MQTT broker leads on 0 checks, EMQX 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 EMQX
  • Free trialonly EMQX
  • 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 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

EMQX 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. EMQX is the better fit for teams needing MQTT with broad protocol connectivity.

  • Azure Event Grid MQTT broker fits best

    Azure-centric managed IoT deployments

  • EMQX fits best

    Teams needing MQTT with broad protocol connectivity

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Side by side

Feature Azure Event Grid MQTT broker 9.2/10 Visit ↗ EMQX 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #2 in MQTT Broker Software #5 in MQTT Broker Software
Best for Azure-centric managed IoT deployments Teams needing MQTT with broad protocol connectivity
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $234/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Docs Email, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 50+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Azure Event Grid MQTT broker 1/2 · EMQX 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
  • Connects MQTT with protocols including CoAP, STOMP, and NATS
  • Routes and transforms data with SQL rules and a visual flow designer
  • Offers TLS/mTLS, authentication controls, ACL/RBAC, and audit logs
Cons
  • Paid Event Grid Standard Tier is required
  • Pricing varies with throughput units and operations
  • MQTT connection capacity depends on configured throughput units
  • Dedicated Flex starts at $234/month
  • Serverless charges for usage beyond its free monthly quota
  • Plan, capacity, cloud provider, and region affect pricing
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 →

EMQX provides MQTT publish/subscribe messaging for IoT, AI, and connected-device workloads. Its mix of managed cloud, bring-your-own-cloud, and self-hosted Enterprise options suits teams that need to connect device fleets or real-time data…

Read the review →
  1. Azure Event Grid MQTT brokerMQTT Broker Software 9.2Paid
  2. EMQXMQTT Broker Software 8.9Free plan · 14-day trial

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

  • EMQX — where it wins

    • Connects MQTT with protocols including CoAP, STOMP, and NATS
    • Routes and transforms data with SQL rules and a visual flow designer
    • Offers TLS/mTLS, authentication controls, ACL/RBAC, and audit logs

    Where it doesn't

    • Dedicated Flex starts at $234/month
    • Serverless charges for usage beyond its free monthly quota
    • Plan, capacity, cloud provider, and region affect pricing
  • Azure Event Grid MQTT broker9.2/10 · Paid

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

    Visit MicrosoftFull verdict →
  • EMQX8.9/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A flexible MQTT platform with protocol gateways, durable queues, and cloud or self-hosted options.

    Visit EMQXFull 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