Standalone MQTT Broker Device Recommendations

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Hello folks,

I'm looking for a standalone and specialized device that functions solely as an MQTT broker (not a client). My goal is to avoid the hassle of installing and maintaining Mosquitto on a Raspberry Pi or similar setups (NAS, Proxmox, Docker). Ideally, I want a device that I can simply purchase, plug in, and configure via a web interface. Also no cloud nonsense.

Does anyone have recommendations for such a device? I'm open to both commercial products and DIY solutions, as long as they meet the criteria of being easy to set up and manage (no soldering or endless command lines). Does a device like this even exists?

Crazy idea: it would be amazing if Hubitat could supply a firmware update that will "transform" an old C-5 or C-7 hub into a full MQTT broker (without any other smart home functionality left in, just MQTT). This would be a fantastic way to repurpose existing hardware, and I would pay for a solution like this in a heartbeat :wink:

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

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I'm unware of such a device in the IoT space. There has to be something that is used industrially - perhaps @JasonJoel can jump in.

I have a single old i5 Mac-mini that I use for a number of things, including Mosquitto.

If I was looking for a strict MQTT broker, I'd get a Pi Zero 2W+ with an industrial microSD, set it up as a broker and leave it alone. Could get it setup for $35-40.

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I installed on a Pi4 (the Pi4 also runs HomeBridge, nodeRed and Camera.ui). I'm clueless with Pi but found it easy enough/no hassle. I've had it running for a few years now with zero maintenance; I've never needed to restart the service, reboot the Pi or anything else. It just works,

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I don't know of any (at the consumer level - there are some industrial ones, but they are $1000-ish).

If I really didn't want to think too hard, and didn't care about spending a few dollars, I would probably just get a home assistant green and install one of the mqtt add-ons (EMQX being my preference) in home assistant.

But that is $100 for a glorified MQTT server that you can build for $20-30 on a rpi zero or equivalent or like $10 on an ESP32 (if you have low msgs/second loads).

So it seems a little expensive for that purpose, but it would be doable out of the box with 100% web/gui config if that is what you are after.

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Installed this to play with, on a macbook. The web UI that came with it is pretty awesome :+1:

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All the brokers work in the end. But I like the interface on that one the most.

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There are numerous MQTT services that can be purchased in the cloud, no mess, no fuss, no hardware required, no upgrades, etc. - None are free, and obviously your WAN and internet connectivity become dependencies, but it's certainly easy to setup.

And there us an Unbuntu "appliance" ISO/SD Card image for a PI - No config, just flash to an SD-Card, and boot a PI or NUC with Mosquitto - Just add a PI, and a SD card, and you should be off and running: Install Mosquitto | Ubuntu Appliance | Ubuntu and the specifics to install the specific snap are: Install mosquitto on Raspberry Pi using the Snap Store | Snapcraft

YMMV depending on your requirements..

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For sure, I totally agree. I was just giving options that the OP asked for - no rpi/os to maintain, etc.

But you're right that there are ways to make it pretty darn easy in the end on a rpi/nuc/mini pc too.

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I use Mosquito on an HA instance and it takes zero maintenance at all. It just installs, configures automatically, updates automatically, and it just works.