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MQTT vs Crestron

MQTT logo

MQTT

Software

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Crestron logo

Crestron

Software

Enterprise-grade control and automation technology

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; Crestron crestron does not sell direct or publish prices; its own site's How-To-Buy navigation routes buyers only to a dealer/partner search (Elite Platinum Commercial Dealers) or an authorized representative, with no online pricing or purchase path.
  • They diverge on capability: MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Crestron covers Enterprise Control.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MQTT and Crestron actually diverge.

Attributes where MQTT and Crestron differ
AttributeMQTTCrestron
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelopen-sourcequote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computingControl systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens
Founded19991971

Identical on both: 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 Crestron

  • Enterprise Control
  • Powerful Programming
  • Extensive Integration
  • Reliability
  • 5000+ devices
  • Custom protocols
  • Web/Mobile apps
  • Touch panels

What people use each for

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

MQTT

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

Crestron

  • Conference room automationnot MQTT
  • Building managementnot MQTT
  • Campus-wide controlnot MQTT
  • Corporate AVnot 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

Crestron

  • Crestron does not sell direct or publish prices; its own site's How-To-Buy navigation routes buyers only to a dealer/partner search (Elite Platinum Commercial Dealers) or an authorized representative, with no online pricing or purchase path.

Pricing, plan by plan

MQTT

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

Crestron

On request
  • Professional$1000/month
    • Programming tools
    • Device control
    • Advanced features
  • Enterprise$10000/month
    • Large deployments
    • Custom solutions
    • Enterprise support

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 Crestron if

  • You need enterprise control.
  • You work on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens.
  • You also want powerful programming.
Crestron review

Questions people ask

Is MQTT or Crestron better?
Neither clearly leads. MQTT starts at Free and Crestron at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MQTT or Crestron?
MQTT has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for MQTT and On request for Crestron.
Does MQTT or Crestron run on more platforms?
MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing. Crestron runs on Control systems, Mobile apps, Web interfaces, Touch screens.
Can I use MQTT for free?
Yes. MQTT has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Crestron 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 Crestron is typically brought in for.
What can MQTT do that Crestron cannot?
MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages. Crestron covers Enterprise Control, Powerful Programming, Extensive Integration, Reliability.
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