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Head-to-head · MQTT Broker Software

Eclipse Amlen vs EMQX

  • Updated Nov 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Eclipse Amlen #4 in MQTT Broker Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 2 features Visit Eclipse Amlen
EMQX #5 in MQTT Broker Software 8.9/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 0 of 2 features Visit EMQX

Eclipse Amlen leads on 0 checks, EMQX on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEclipse Amlen · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly EMQX

Eclipse Amlen scores higher on our rubric for mqtt broker software: 9.0 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

Eclipse Amlen is the better fit for teams needing MQTT alongside JMS messaging. EMQX is the better fit for teams needing MQTT with broad protocol connectivity.

  • Eclipse Amlen fits best

    Teams needing MQTT alongside JMS messaging

  • EMQX fits best

    Teams needing MQTT with broad protocol connectivity

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Side by side

Feature Eclipse Amlen 9.0/10 Visit ↗ EMQX 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.9
Ranking #4 in MQTT Broker Software #5 in MQTT Broker Software
Best for Teams needing MQTT alongside JMS messaging Teams needing MQTT with broad protocol connectivity
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan $234/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Linux Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 50+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Eclipse Amlen 0/2 · EMQX 0/2
Retained messages Not checked yet Not checked yet
Clustering Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model Not checked yet Not checked yet
MQTT versions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Connection limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Authentication methods Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports MQTT versions 3 through 5 over TCP/IP and WebSockets
  • Offers at-most-once, at-least-once, and exactly-once delivery
  • Includes JMS support, custom protocol plug-ins, and REST administration
  • 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
  • Requires teams to deploy and operate the broker themselves
  • Its scope extends beyond MQTT into JMS and point-to-point messaging
  • Support is centered on community resources and documentation
  • 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

Eclipse Amlen is an open-source message broker for IoT, mobile, and web workloads. It suits teams that want to host their own messaging service and need MQTT alongside other messaging approaches. MQTT versions 3 through 5 run over TCP/IP…

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. Eclipse AmlenMQTT Broker Software 9.0Free plan
  2. EMQXMQTT Broker Software 8.9Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Eclipse Amlen — where it wins

    • Supports MQTT versions 3 through 5 over TCP/IP and WebSockets
    • Offers at-most-once, at-least-once, and exactly-once delivery
    • Includes JMS support, custom protocol plug-ins, and REST administration

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires teams to deploy and operate the broker themselves
    • Its scope extends beyond MQTT into JMS and point-to-point messaging
    • Support is centered on community resources and documentation

  • 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
  • Eclipse Amlen9.0/10 · Free plan

    An open-source broker combining MQTT delivery options with JMS and extensible protocols.

    Visit Eclipse AmlenFull 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