Best MQTT Libraries for IoT Development

Introduction

Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is one of the most widely used protocols for IoT communication. It is a lightweight, efficient, and scalable protocol designed for constrained devices and unreliable networks. Choosing the right MQTT library is essential for efficient message handling and real-time IoT applications.

In this article, we will explore the best MQTT libraries for various programming languages, including JavaScript, Python, C, Java, and Go.

Why Use MQTT for IoT?

MQTT is widely preferred in IoT applications due to the following benefits:

• Lightweight Protocol: Low bandwidth usage, making it ideal for IoT devices.
• Publish-Subscribe Model: Allows devices to communicate asynchronously.
• Quality of Service (QoS) Levels: Ensures reliable message delivery.
• Retained Messages: Stores the last known message for new subscribers.
• Last Will and Testament (LWT): Notifies when a device goes offline unexpectedly.

Now, let’s explore the best MQTT libraries for various languages.

1. MQTT.js (JavaScript)

GitHub:https://github.com/mqttjs/MQTT.js

MQTT.js is the most popular MQTT library for Node.js and browser-based applications.

Features:

• Fully compliant with MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5.0
• Supports WebSockets for browser-based MQTT communication
• Works with both TCP and TLS
• Supports QoS, Retained Messages, and LWT

Installation:

npm install mqtt

2. Eclipse Paho (Python)

GitHub:https://github.com/eclipse/paho.mqtt.python

Eclipse Paho is the most widely used MQTT library for Python applications.

Features:

• Supports MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5.0
• Provides asynchronous and synchronous clients
• Supports TLS encryption for secure communication
• Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS

Installation:

pip install paho-mqtt

3. Mosquitto (C/C++)

GitHub:https://github.com/eclipse/mosquitto

Mosquitto provides both an MQTT broker and a lightweight MQTT client library in C and C++.

Features:

• Lightweight and efficient for embedded systems
• Multi-threaded support
• Works with TLS, authentication, and authorization
• Compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS

Installation:

sudo apt install mosquitto mosquitto-clients

4. HiveMQ MQTT Client (Java/Kotlin)

GitHub:https://github.com/hivemq/hivemq-mqtt-client

HiveMQ MQTT Client is a high-performance library for Java and Kotlin applications.

Features:

• Supports MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5.0
• Built-in automatic reconnect and backoff strategies
• Provides asynchronous and reactive programming support
• Optimized for low-latency applications

Installation:

For Maven:

<dependency>
  <groupId>com.hivemq</groupId>
  <artifactId>hivemq-mqtt-client</artifactId>
  <version>1.2.3</version>
</dependency>

For Gradle:

dependencies {
    implementation 'com.hivemq:hivemq-mqtt-client:1.2.3'
}

5. gmqtt (Go)

GitHub:https://github.com/DrmagicE/gmqtt

Gmqtt is a feature-rich MQTT broker and client for Go (Golang) applications.

Features:

• Full support for MQTT 3.1.1 and MQTT 5.0
• High-performance broker and client
• Supports WebSockets and TCP
• Works well with microservices and cloud-based IoT

Installation:

go get github.com/DrmagicE/gmqtt

6. asyncio-mqtt (Python – Async)

GitHub:https://github.com/sbtinstruments/asyncio-mqtt

This library is designed for asynchronous MQTT applications in Python using asyncio.

Features:

• Fully async/await compatible
• Low-latency, non-blocking MQTT communication
• Works seamlessly with Paho MQTT
• Ideal for real-time applications

Installation:

pip install asyncio-mqtt

7. Mosquitto-PHP (PHP)

GitHub:https://github.com/mgdm/Mosquitto-PHP

Mosquitto-PHP is a PHP extension that provides MQTT client capabilities.

Features:

• Simple interface for publishing and subscribing
• Supports TLS for secure communication
• Works with Mosquitto MQTT broker

Installation:

pecl install Mosquitto

8. Qt MQTT (C++)

GitHub:https://github.com/qt/qtmqtt

Qt MQTT is an MQTT library designed for Qt applications in C++.

Features:

• Works seamlessly with Qt framework
• Supports QoS levels and retained messages
• Compatible with embedded systems and desktop applications

Installation:

qt_add_qml_module(
    TARGET my_project
    URI QtMqtt
)

Conclusion

Choosing the right MQTT library depends on your programming language and use case. Here’s a quick summary of the best libraries:

Language	Best MQTT Library	Key Features
JavaScript	MQTT.js	Browser + Node.js support
Python	Eclipse Paho	Most popular, easy to use
C/C++	Mosquitto	Lightweight for embedded systems
Java/Kotlin	HiveMQ MQTT Client	High performance, async support
Go	gmqtt	High-speed broker and client
PHP	Mosquitto-PHP	Simple MQTT client for PHP
C++ (Qt)	Qt MQTT	Works with Qt applications
Python (Async)	asyncio-mqtt	Best for async applications

MQTT is an essential protocol for IoT, home automation, and cloud-based applications. Depending on your project, select the most suitable library and start building scalable, real-time applications!

Read This: How to Simulate an IoT Project on Wokwi with MQTT and ESP32

Which MQTT library do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!