Best AWS IoT Core Alternatives in 2026
The top AWS IoT Core alternatives are Azure Event Grid MQTT broker, Apache BifroMQ and Eclipse Amlen: 15 MQTT broker software our editors would look at instead of AWS IoT Core, in our ranking order.
AWS IoT Core: A managed MQTT broker with device tools and message routing for AWS-centric IoT systems. Where it falls short: usage-based pricing varies by component and region.
Switching from AWS IoT Core? For most mqtt broker software buyers the best AWS IoT Core alternative is Azure Event Grid MQTT broker, built for azure-centric managed IoT deployments. On a budget, Ably MQTT Broker starts at $29/mo. Apache BifroMQ has a free plan, which AWS IoT Core does not. Ably MQTT Broker offers the most connection limit (10000 connections).
Why People Look for an AWS IoT Core Alternative
- Usage-based pricing varies by component and region
- Designed for managed cloud deployment rather than self-hosting
- Integrations center on AWS services
- No free plan — 12 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallAzure Event Grid MQTT broker9.2
Azure-centric managed IoT deployments
Visit Azure Event Grid MQTT broker - Lowest priceAbly MQTT Broker7.6
Paid plans from $29/mo
Visit Ably MQTT Broker - Best free optionApache BifroMQ9.1
Has a free plan (AWS IoT Core has none)
Visit Apache BifroMQ - Most connection limitAbly MQTT Broker7.6
10000 connections
Visit Ably MQTT Broker
All 15 AWS IoT Core Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forAzure-centric managed IoT deployments
A managed MQTT broker with Azure routing, flexible authentication, and usage-based pricing.
- Retained messages
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Microsoft -
Best forTeams building self-hosted, clustered MQTT systems
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A self-hosted broker with clustering, distributed storage, and support for MQTT 3.1 through 5.0.
- Clustering
- Retained messages
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Apache BifroMQ -
Best forTeams needing MQTT alongside JMS messaging
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
An open-source broker combining MQTT delivery options with JMS and extensible protocols.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Eclipse Amlen -
Best forTeams needing MQTT with broad protocol connectivity
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A flexible MQTT platform with protocol gateways, durable queues, and cloud or self-hosted options.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit EMQX -
Best forTeams needing managed or self-managed MQTT with QoS 2
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
Flexible managed or self-managed MQTT with QoS 2, clustering, and broad integrations.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit HiveMQ -
Best forA straightforward free self-hosted MQTT broker
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A free, self-hosted MQTT broker with core messaging, security, and bridging features.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Mosquitto -
Best forTeams managing Mosquitto across production deployments
Managed Mosquitto adds clustering, persistent queues and centralized administration.
- Clustering
- Retained messages
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Cedalo -
Best forFree MQTT broker embedded in Java applications
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A free, self-hosted choice for Java projects that need a flexible MQTT broker.
- Retained messages
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit HiveMQ -
Best forTeams needing MQTT alongside AMQP
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A self-hosted broker for teams that need MQTT alongside broader messaging support.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Apache Artemis -
Best forTeams already using RabbitMQ messaging
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
An established general-purpose broker that adds MQTT to a broader messaging stack.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit RabbitMQ -
Best forExisting ActiveMQ deployments adding MQTT
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A free, self-hosted multi-protocol broker for teams adding MQTT to ActiveMQ messaging.
8.2/10★★★★☆Try Apache ActiveMQ -
Best forTeams needing low-cost MQTT clustering
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A flexible MQTT core with a free self-hosted edition and paid managed options.
- Clustering
- Retained messages
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit TBMQ -
Best forTeams running self-hosted MQTT 5 with clustering
A self-hosted MQTT broker with clustering, persistence, bridges, and plugin options.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit VerneMQ -
Best forEvent-mesh deployments that also need MQTT
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A multi-protocol event broker for event meshes that also need MQTT.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Solace -
Best forManaged MQTT clients needing cloud-function integrations
- Better than AWS IoT Core:
- Free plan
A managed MQTT adapter for clients that need Ably channels and cloud-function integrations.
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Ably
AWS IoT Core Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to AWS IoT Core?
Azure Event Grid MQTT broker: #2 in our MQTT Broker Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A managed MQTT broker with Azure routing, flexible authentication, and usage-based pricing.
Is there a free alternative to AWS IoT Core?
Yes. Apache BifroMQ, Eclipse Amlen, EMQX, HiveMQ MQTT Broker and Eclipse Mosquitto have a free plan or a free tier (13 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to AWS IoT Core?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Ably MQTT Broker starts lowest, at $29/mo.
Why do people look for AWS IoT Core alternatives?
Usage-based pricing varies by component and region; Designed for managed cloud deployment rather than self-hosting; Integrations center on AWS services.
Which AWS IoT Core alternative has the most connection limit?
Ably MQTT Broker, with 10000 connections.
How do I switch from AWS IoT Core?
Export your data from AWS IoT Core (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel AWS IoT Core.
How to Switch from AWS IoT Core
- Export your data from AWS IoT Core (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel AWS IoT Core.
AWS IoT Core vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS IoT Core | No | 9.4 | |
| 1 | Azure Event Grid MQTT broker | No | 9.2 | |
| 2 | Apache BifroMQ | Yes | Free | 9.1 |
| 3 | Eclipse Amlen | Yes | Free | 9.0 |
| 4 | EMQX | Yes | $234/mo | 8.9 |
| 5 | HiveMQ MQTT Broker | Yes | 8.8 | |
| 6 | Eclipse Mosquitto | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 7 | Cedalo Pro Mosquitto | No | €39/mo | 8.6 |
| 8 | HiveMQ Community Edition | Yes | Free | 8.5 |
| 9 | Apache Artemis | Yes | Free | 8.4 |
| 10 | RabbitMQ | Yes | Free | 8.3 |
| 11 | Apache ActiveMQ | Yes | Free | 8.2 |
| 12 | TBMQ | Yes | 7.9 | |
| 13 | VerneMQ | No | Free | 7.8 |
| 14 | Solace PubSub+ Event Broker | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 15 | Ably MQTT Broker | Yes | $29/mo | 7.6 |
Head-to-Head
- AWS IoT Core vs Azure Event Grid MQTT broker
- AWS IoT Core vs Apache BifroMQ
- AWS IoT Core vs Eclipse Amlen
- AWS IoT Core vs EMQX
- AWS IoT Core vs HiveMQ MQTT Broker
- AWS IoT Core vs Eclipse Mosquitto
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update