Cassandana review
A self-hosted MQTT broker with QoS 0–2, TLS, WebSockets, and configurable access controls.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Cassandana is an open-source MQTT message broker written in Java for developers and organizations that want to run and configure their own broker. It supports QoS 0, 1, and 2, TLS encryption, and WebSocket connections, with YAML configuration. Its self-hosted model suits teams that want control over broker deployment and can take responsibility for operating it; it is less suitable for buyers seeking a managed service.
Access control is a notable part of its feature set. Authentication and authorization can use MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis, or an HTTP REST API. The project also lists permit-all and deny-all methods. In-memory caching and optional MQTT message archiving add capabilities around access and message handling. Teams whose existing systems use the listed databases or Redis may find the documented integration choices relevant, while those depending on other authentication systems should assess fit before choosing it.
The deployment approach puts setup and ongoing operations on the adopting team: Cassandana can be installed from a release or built from source with Maven, then configured using YAML. That gives teams a self-managed option without a listed paid tier, but also means they need the skills and infrastructure to deploy and maintain a broker. Choose Cassandana if you want an open-source, self-hosted broker with database-backed access controls and the listed MQTT connection options. Consider another product if you need a managed service or require integrations beyond the documented backends.
Cassandana pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports MQTT QoS 0, 1, and 2, plus TLS and WebSocket connections
- Authenticates and authorizes through databases, Redis, or an HTTP REST API
- Offers optional message archiving and in-memory caching
- Where it doesn't
- Requires teams to run and maintain their own broker
- Configuration uses YAML, and installation involves a release or a Maven build
- Listed authentication backends are limited to specific databases, Redis, and REST
Cassandana fact sheet, pricing and score →
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