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IoT & Smart Home · head to head

MQTT vs Arlo

MQTT logo

MQTT

IoT & Smart Home

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Arlo logo

Arlo

IoT & Smart Home

Wire-free security cameras with cloud intelligence

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only MQTT has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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; Arlo without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • They diverge on capability: MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Arlo covers Wire-Free.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MQTT and Arlo actually diverge.

Attributes where MQTT and Arlo differ
AttributeMQTTArlo
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computingIOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays
Founded19992018

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (IoT & Smart Home).

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 Arlo

  • Wire-Free
  • 4K Video
  • AI Detection
  • Color Night Vision
  • Alexa
  • Google Home
  • HomeKit
  • SmartThings

What people use each for

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

MQTT

  • IoT messagingnot Arlo
  • Sensor datanot Arlo
  • Real-time updatesnot Arlo
  • Device telemetrynot Arlo

Arlo

  • Wire-free home security cameras, video doorbells and floodlight camerasnot MQTT
  • Cloud recorded video history with person, vehicle and package detectionnot MQTT
  • Professionally monitored home security through the Arlo appnot 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

Arlo

  • Without an Arlo Secure subscription the cameras are limited to live streaming and two-way audio, with no cloud video history
  • Video history, Activity Zones and Advanced Detection require the paid Arlo Plus plan
  • 24/7 Professional Monitoring and 24/7 Emergency Response are only on the Premium plan
  • 24/7 continuous recording is an add-on to Premium and covers up to three cameras only
  • Unlimited camera plans apply only to Arlo cameras at a single residential location on the same account
  • Cameras must be bought as hardware before any plan applies, and the included plan is a trial that ends

Pricing, plan by plan

MQTT

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

Arlo

On request
  • Arlo Secure$2.99/month
    • 30-day cloud
    • AI detection
    • 1 camera
  • Arlo Secure Plus$14.99/month
    • Unlimited cameras
    • 24/7 recording
    • E911

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 Arlo if

  • You need wire-free.
  • You work on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
  • You also want 4k video.
Arlo review

Questions people ask

Is MQTT or Arlo better?
Neither clearly leads. MQTT starts at Free and Arlo at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MQTT or Arlo?
MQTT has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MQTT and On request for Arlo.
Does MQTT or Arlo run on more platforms?
MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing. Arlo runs on IOS, Android, Web, Smart Displays.
Can I use MQTT for free?
Yes. MQTT has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Arlo starts at On request.
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 Arlo is typically brought in for.
What can MQTT do that Arlo cannot?
MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages. Arlo covers Wire-Free, 4K Video, AI Detection, Color Night Vision.
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