Softwr

Software · head to head

MQTT vs Amazon Alexa

MQTT logo

MQTT

Software

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Amazon Alexa logo

Amazon Alexa

Software

Amazon's voice-controlled smart home ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MQTT mQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec; Amazon Alexa amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music
  • They diverge on capability: MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MQTT and Amazon Alexa actually diverge.

Attributes where MQTT and Amazon Alexa differ
AttributeMQTTAmazon Alexa
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computingEcho devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS
Founded19991994

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in MQTT

  • Publish-Subscribe
  • Lightweight
  • QoS Levels
  • Retained Messages
  • IoT platforms
  • Home automation
  • Cloud services
  • Edge devices

Only in Amazon Alexa

  • Voice Control
  • Skills Library
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 100,000+ skills
  • Ring
  • Blink
  • Fire TV

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MQTT

  • IoT messagingnot Amazon Alexa
  • Sensor datanot Amazon Alexa
  • Real-time updatesnot Amazon Alexa
  • Device telemetrynot Amazon Alexa

Amazon Alexa

  • Voice-controlled homenot MQTT
  • Smart shoppingnot MQTT
  • Entertainmentnot MQTT
  • Home securitynot MQTT

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

MQTT

  • MQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec

Amazon Alexa

  • Amazon Alexa is a free consumer app (per Apple App Store listing under AMZN Mobile LLC) with no subscription required for core voice assistant functionality; premium content and some skills route through separate Amazon subscriptions such as Prime and Amazon Music

Pricing, plan by plan

MQTT

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Publish-subscribe
    • Lightweight
    • QoS levels

Amazon Alexa

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Voice control
    • Skills
    • Smart home control
  • Alexa Guard Plus$4.99/month
    • Emergency response
    • Hands-free calling
    • Enhanced alerts

Which should you pick?

Choose MQTT if

  • You need publish-subscribe.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
  • You also want lightweight.
MQTT review

Choose Amazon Alexa if

  • You need voice control.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
  • You also want skills library.
Amazon Alexa review

Questions people ask

Is MQTT or Amazon Alexa better?
Neither clearly leads. MQTT starts at Free and Amazon Alexa at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MQTT or Amazon Alexa?
MQTT starts at Free and Amazon Alexa at Free.
Does MQTT or Amazon Alexa run on more platforms?
MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing. Amazon Alexa runs on Echo devices, Fire TV, Android, IOS.
Can I use MQTT for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is MQTT best used for?
MQTT is most often used for iot messaging, sensor data, real-time updates, device telemetry. Of those, iot messaging and sensor data are not what Amazon Alexa is typically brought in for.
What can MQTT do that Amazon Alexa cannot?
MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages. Amazon Alexa covers Voice Control, Skills Library, Routines, Multi-Room Audio.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on MQTT

More on Amazon Alexa

Keep looking

Other head to heads