TCP vs MQTT

The internet's reliable old workhorse meets the iot whisperer. Here's our take.

TCP

Nice Pick

The internet's reliable old workhorse. It'll get your data there, but don't expect it to be fast or flashy.

Pros

• Guaranteed data delivery with error-checking and retransmission
• Maintains packet order for seamless application communication
• Built-in flow control prevents overwhelming slow receivers

Cons

• Connection setup overhead adds latency compared to UDP
• Congestion control can throttle performance in high-traffic networks

MQTT

The IoT whisperer. Lightweight enough for your smart toaster, reliable enough for your industrial sensors.

Pros

• Minimal overhead makes it perfect for low-bandwidth or constrained devices
• Publish-subscribe model scales well for large numbers of connected devices
• Quality of Service levels ensure message delivery even on unreliable networks

Cons

• Lacks built-in security features, requiring additional layers for production use
• Can be overkill for simple applications due to its complexity in setup

The Verdict

Use TCP if: You want guaranteed data delivery with error-checking and retransmission and can live with connection setup overhead adds latency compared to udp.

Use MQTT if: You prioritize minimal overhead makes it perfect for low-bandwidth or constrained devices over what TCP offers.

The Bottom Line

TCP wins

The internet's reliable old workhorse. It'll get your data there, but don't expect it to be fast or flashy.