Code samples

C# (.NET) MQTT example

Connect C# and .NET to an MQTT broker with MQTTnet. Start on the free public broker, then point the same code at a secure private broker on ConnectMQ.

Library
MQTTnet 4
Install
dotnet add package MQTTnet --version 4.3.7.1207
Source code on GitHubmqtt-code-samples/csharpClone the complete, runnable examples. Stars and pull requests welcome. View on GitHub

1. Try it on the free public broker

No account needed: connect to broker.connectmq.com on port 1883 and start publishing in seconds.

Program.cs
using MQTTnet;
using MQTTnet.Client;

var topic = "your-project/sensors/temperature"; // Use a unique topic prefix: everyone can read the public broker
var client = new MqttFactory().CreateMqttClient();

// Runs for every message on a subscribed topic
client.ApplicationMessageReceivedAsync += e =>
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{e.ApplicationMessage.Topic}: {e.ApplicationMessage.ConvertPayloadToString()}");
    return Task.CompletedTask;
};

// Connect to the free public broker (no account needed)
var options = new MqttClientOptionsBuilder()
    .WithTcpServer("broker.connectmq.com", 1883)
    .Build();
await client.ConnectAsync(options);

// Subscribe to the temperature topic
await client.SubscribeAsync(topic);
// Publish a JSON reading
await client.PublishStringAsync(topic, "{\"temperature\":21.5}");

// Keep the client running
Console.ReadLine();

Free public MQTT broker

The public broker is shared: anyone can subscribe to your topics. Never send passwords, personal data or anything confidential through it.

About the free public MQTT broker

2. Go to production with ConnectMQ

For real devices, use a private serverless MQTT broker on ConnectMQ instead of the public one: TLS encryption, a username and password for every device and per-topic access control, fully managed. Start on the Free plan — no card required.

Replace YOUR_BROKER_HOST, YOUR_USERNAME and YOUR_PASSWORD with the values from your ConnectMQ dashboard.

Program.cs
using MQTTnet;
using MQTTnet.Client;

var topic = "your-project/sensors/temperature";
var client = new MqttFactory().CreateMqttClient();

// Runs for every message on a subscribed topic
client.ApplicationMessageReceivedAsync += e =>
{
    Console.WriteLine($"{e.ApplicationMessage.Topic}: {e.ApplicationMessage.ConvertPayloadToString()}");
    return Task.CompletedTask;
};

// Connect to your private ConnectMQ broker on port 8883
var options = new MqttClientOptionsBuilder()
    .WithTcpServer("YOUR_BROKER_HOST", 8883)
    // Username and password from your ConnectMQ dashboard
    .WithCredentials("YOUR_USERNAME", "YOUR_PASSWORD")
    // TLS: the system CA store verifies the broker certificate
    .WithTlsOptions(o => o.UseTls())
    .Build();
await client.ConnectAsync(options);

// Subscribe to the temperature topic
await client.SubscribeAsync(topic);
// Publish a JSON reading
await client.PublishStringAsync(topic, "{\"temperature\":21.5}");

// Keep the client running
Console.ReadLine();

C# (.NET) MQTT FAQ

How do I connect C# (.NET) to an MQTT broker?

Install MQTTnet 4, connect to the broker host on port 1883 (or 8883 with TLS), then subscribe to a topic and publish messages to it. The examples on this page connect to the free public broker broker.connectmq.com and to a private ConnectMQ broker.

Is there a free MQTT broker for testing C# (.NET)?

Yes. broker.connectmq.com is a free public MQTT broker that needs no account. Anyone can read its topics, so use it only for tests and use a unique topic prefix.

How do I secure a C# (.NET) MQTT connection?

Connect over TLS on port 8883 with a username and password from your ConnectMQ dashboard, and give every device its own credentials and topic permissions instead of using the public broker.

Free public MQTT broker

Test any example on broker.connectmq.com — no sign-up, MQTT 3.1.1 and 5, TCP, TLS and WebSocket.

About the free public MQTT broker

Secure serverless MQTT for production

When it is time for real devices, run the same code on a private, fully managed ConnectMQ broker with TLS and per-device credentials.

Start for free

Your private MQTT broker is a few clicks away

Create an account, get your broker credentials and connect your first device — no servers to install, patch or scale.