HiveMQ vs K3s: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between HiveMQ and K3s comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
HiveMQ
Stream, contextualize, and analyze real-time operational data to power AI-driven industrial operations.
Best for you if:
- • You need etl & data pipelines features specifically
- • Provides a scalable MQTT platform for real-time operational data streaming from edge to cloud.
- • Contextualizes and governs industrial data to create a unified source of truth for IT and OT.
K3s
Lightweight Kubernetes for edge and IoT
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need iot platforms features specifically
- • K3s is a lightweight Kubernetes distribution for edge, IoT, and resource-constrained environments
- • It provides full Kubernetes functionality in a single binary under 100MB
| At a Glance |  HiveMQ |  K3s |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | ETL & Data Pipelines | IoT Platforms |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | HiveMQ | K3s |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | ETL & Data PipelinesIoT Platforms | IoT PlatformsEdge Computing |
How HiveMQ and K3s Compare
HiveMQ
Stream, contextualize, and analyze real-time operational data to power AI-driven industrial operations.
Free tier available
K3s
Lightweight Kubernetes for edge and IoT
Free · 86/100 score
HiveMQ is a etl & data pipelines tool. K3s is in iot platforms.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
K3s is free. HiveMQ is freemium.
Go with: K3s
Want the highest-rated option?
K3s scores 86/100. HiveMQ is unrated.
Go with: K3s
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: K3s
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
HiveMQ is freemium. K3s is free. Go with K3s if free matters most.
What's your use case?
HiveMQ is a etl & data pipelines tool. K3s is in iot platforms. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
K3s
- Higher score: 86/100 vs unrated
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
HiveMQ
- Better fit for etl & data pipelines
The Bottom Line
K3s (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is HiveMQ or K3s better?
K3s scores 86/100 in our evaluation. HiveMQ is freemium and K3s is free.
What are HiveMQ and K3s used for?
HiveMQ: Stream, contextualize, and analyze real-time operational data to power AI-driven industrial operations.. K3s: Lightweight Kubernetes for edge and IoT.
What does HiveMQ cost vs K3s?
HiveMQ is freemium (free tier + paid plans). K3s is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.