Compare ActiveMQ vs. Amazon EventBridge vs. Amazon MQ

Apache ActiveMQ® stands out as the leading open-source, multi-protocol message broker built on Java. It accommodates widely accepted protocols, allowing users to take advantage of diverse client options across various programming languages and platforms. Clients can connect using languages such as JavaScript, C, C++, Python, .Net, and more. The integration of multi-platform applications is made seamless with the widely-used AMQP protocol. Furthermore, web applications can communicate effectively through the STOMP protocol over websockets. ActiveMQ also facilitates the management of IoT devices by leveraging MQTT. It not only supports existing JMS infrastructures but also extends beyond them, providing the robustness and adaptability necessary for any messaging scenario. Presently, there are two distinct versions of ActiveMQ: the traditional "classic" broker and the innovative "next generation" broker known as Artemis. As Artemis develops to match the feature set of the Classic code-base, it is set to evolve into the next major release of ActiveMQ. Initial documentation for migration is accessible, along with a development roadmap outlining the future of Artemis, ensuring users have the guidance they need for a smooth transition. This evolution signifies a commitment to continual improvement and adaptation in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

Amazon EventBridge serves as a serverless event bus that simplifies the integration of applications by utilizing data from your own systems, various Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings, and AWS services. It provides a continuous flow of real-time data from event sources like Zendesk, Datadog, and PagerDuty, efficiently directing that information to targets such as AWS Lambda. By establishing routing rules, you can dictate the destination of your data, enabling the creation of application architectures that respond instantaneously to all incoming data sources. EventBridge facilitates the development of event-driven applications by managing essential aspects like event ingestion, delivery, security, authorization, and error handling on your behalf. As your applications grow increasingly interconnected through events, you may find that greater effort is required to discover and comprehend the structure of these events in order to effectively code responses to them. This can enhance the overall efficiency and responsiveness of your application ecosystem.

Amazon MQ is a cloud-based managed message broker service that utilizes Apache ActiveMQ, simplifying the process of establishing and running message brokers. These brokers facilitate communication and information exchange between various software systems, which may be built with different programming languages and operate on distinct platforms. By managing the provisioning, setup, and upkeep of ActiveMQ, a widely-used open-source message broker, Amazon MQ significantly eases your operational burden. Integrating your existing applications with Amazon MQ is straightforward, as it supports industry-standard APIs and messaging protocols such as JMS, NMS, AMQP, STOMP, MQTT, and WebSocket. This adherence to standards often eliminates the need to alter existing messaging code when transitioning to AWS. With just a few clicks in the Amazon MQ Console, you can provision your broker while ensuring compatibility with version upgrades, allowing you to utilize the latest version supported by Amazon MQ. After the broker is set up, your applications will be able to seamlessly produce and consume messages, streamlining your workflow and enhancing overall efficiency. Additionally, this service provides scalability, allowing you to adjust resources based on your application's needs, ensuring optimal performance at all times.