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Apache ActiveMQ
What it is
Apache ActiveMQ is a free, open-source messaging and Integration Patterns server for self-hosted deployments. It supports OpenWire, STOMP, AMQP 1.0 and MQTT 3.1, with client options for Java, C, C++, C#, Ruby, Perl, Python and PHP. Messaging capabilities include message groups, virtual destinations, wildcards, composite destinations and enterprise integration patterns. It fully supports JMS 1.1 and J2EE 1.4+ with transient, persistent, transactional and XA messaging, and partially supports Jakarta Messaging 3.1 and JMS 2.0. Transport options include in-VM, TCP, SSL, NIO, UDP, multicast, JGroups and JXTA; persistence options include JDBC and a high-performance journal. A REST API and Ajax web streaming provide browser access. Security documentation describes pluggable providers, JAAS authentication and XML-configured authorization, with users, groups and destination-level read, write and admin permissions. The project lists 6.3.x and 5.19.x as active release lines for community updates, security patches and bug fixes. Apache ActiveMQ Classic is free under the Apache License 2.0.
For and against
For
- Supports four listed messaging protocols
- Client options span eight languages
- Includes JDBC persistence
- Provides REST API and Ajax web streaming
- Free under Apache License 2.0
Against
- Jakarta Messaging 3.1 support is partial
- JMS 2.0 support is partial
- Requires self-hosted deployment
The verdict
Apache ActiveMQ offers broad protocol and transport choices for self-hosted messaging. Teams should note that support for Jakarta Messaging 3.1 and JMS 2.0 is partial.
Who it suits
It suits teams that need a self-hosted messaging server with multiple protocols, client languages and transport options. Its documented authentication and destination permissions may suit deployments requiring configurable access controls.
Plans and prices
Apache ActiveMQ Classic
Open source · Apache License 2.0
Read 3 Oct 2026 · activemq.apache.org
On the record
- Administration
- A bundled web console provides queue, topic, subscriber, connection, scheduling and message-send administration.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Advanced messaging features
- The feature catalogue includes message groups, virtual destinations, wildcards, composite destinations, selectors, redelivery policies and scheduled delivery.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- AMQP
- ActiveMQ supports the OASIS AMQP 1.0 protocol, including SASL authentication and authorization policies.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Authentication and permissions
- The documentation describes authentication with users and groups and destination permissions for read, write, and admin operations.activemq.apache.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Build tooling
- Source builds use Apache Maven, with commands for building and generating Eclipse or IntelliJ project files.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Client languages
- The site lists clients for Java, C, C++, C#, Ruby, Perl, Python, and PHP.activemq.apache.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Clustering and high availability
- Features include broker networks, master-slave configurations, shared storage and replicated message stores.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Cross-language clients
- Official pages list client support for Java, C, C++, C#, Ruby, Perl, Python, PHP and JavaScript.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Current Java requirements
- The 6.3.2 release lists Java compatibility for 17, 21 and 25, recommending Java 25 for virtual threads.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Current release
- ActiveMQ 6.3.2 was released on September 2, 2026 as a maintenance release.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The project publishes getting-started, protocol, feature, security, administration, FAQ and API documentation.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Download verification
- The project recommends verifying downloads with an ASC signature or SHA-512 checksum.activemq.apache.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Enterprise integration
- ActiveMQ implements Enterprise Integration Patterns and can run Apache Camel routes inside the broker.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Installation consists of downloading an archive, extracting it and starting the broker with the supplied activemq command.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The site lists Spring support, JCA 1.5 resource adaptors, and testing in TomEE, Geronimo, JBoss, GlassFish, and WebLogic.activemq.apache.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- JCA integration
- The distribution includes JCA 1.5 resource adapters for inbound and outbound messaging in J2EE servers.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
- JMS support
- It partially supports Jakarta Messaging 3.1 and JMS 2.0, and fully supports JMS 1.1 and J2EE 1.4+ with transient, persistent, transactional, and XA messaging.activemq.apache.org · read 3 Oct 2026
- Licence
- ActiveMQ is open source under the Apache License 2.0.activemq.apache.org · read 14 Oct 2026
