Side by side
Apache ActiveMQ vs EMQX
Both stand on message broker software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3
ActiveMQ offers broad protocol, client, transport, and persistence choices for self-hosted messaging. Its documented support is full for JMS 1.1 and J2EE 1.4+, but partial for newer listed messaging standards.
Visit Apache ActiveMQ
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2
EMQX offers real-time messaging, data processing tools, broad protocol support, and deployment choices. Serverless provides a free entry point with stated limits; Dedicated Flex starts at $234 per month.
Visit EMQXThe facts
| Apache ActiveMQ | EMQX | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Dedicated Flex: $234 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | activemq.apache.org | emqx.com |
| On message broker software | #1 of 39 | #3 of 39 |
Apache ActiveMQ: what it does well
- Supports four listed messaging protocols.
- Client options span eight programming languages.
- Includes JDBC persistence and a high-performance journal.
- Offers destination read, write, and admin permissions.
- Free under the Apache License 2.0.
What to know first
- Jakarta Messaging 3.1 support is partial.
- JMS 2.0 support is partial.
- Requires self-hosted deployment.
EMQX: what it does well
- Combines MQTT messaging with durable message queuing
- Rule Engine and Flow Designer process data
- Lists more than 50 native integrations
- Security includes TLS/mTLS and audit logs
- Dedicated Flex starts at $234 per month
What to know first
- Serverless is limited to 1 MB messages
- Serverless has limits of up to 1,000 sessions
- Usage beyond Serverless monthly quotas is charged
Alternatives to Apache ActiveMQ Alternatives to EMQX The whole list