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Overview
Apache ActiveMQ Classic is a Java message broker supporting Jakarta Messaging 3.1, JMS 2.0/1.1, AMQP, MQTT, STOMP, and HTTP/WebSocket transports, along with queues, topics, broker networks, and scheduling.
Features and best fit
Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:
Key features
Connect JMS and multiple wire protocols to one broker
Java/Jakarta Messaging clients can coexist with AMQP, MQTT, STOMP, and HTTP/WebSocket transports, allowing producers and consumers from different platforms to share the same broker.
Sources: [1]
Build enterprise messaging with queues, topics, and broker networks
The broker supports point-to-point queues, publish/subscribe topics, networks of brokers, message scheduling, and related messaging features.
Sources: [1]
Best fit
Fits self-hosted systems retaining JMS assets and multi-protocol clients
It is relevant when existing JMS applications must remain compatible while newer services connect through AMQP, MQTT, or STOMP and the broker is operated in-house.
Sources: [1]
Before adoption
The current 6.3 line is 6.3.2 and supports JDK 17, 21, and 25
The official 6.3.2 page lists Java 17, 21, and 25 compatibility and recommends 25+ for Virtual Threads. The repository README requires JDK 17+ to run the broker.
Do not choose a release line only by publication date
Classic maintains parallel 6.3.x, 6.2.x, and 5.19.x lines. A lower-line maintenance patch can be published later than a higher-line release, so production deployments should follow the official series status and intended compatibility line.
Verify binary distributions with signatures or SHA-512
Apache's release page explicitly requires integrity verification using the ASC signature or SHA-512 checksum. Provisioning should pin both the version and verified artifact.
Sources: [2]
ActiveMQ Artemis is a separate project
This repository is ActiveMQ Classic. Artemis is another Apache ActiveMQ broker project and should not be treated as a later major version of the same codebase when comparing architecture or features.
Sources: [3]
Official sources
- [1]Apache ActiveMQ README(2026-10-03)
- [2]Apache ActiveMQ Classic 6.3.2 release(2026-10-03)
- [3]Apache ActiveMQ Classic downloads(2026-10-03)
- [4]Apache ActiveMQ Apache-2.0 license(2026-10-03)
- [5]Apache ActiveMQ NOTICE(2026-10-03)
Supplemental curator note
ActiveMQ Classic fits enterprise systems that need one broker for existing JMS clients and multiple wire protocols. For new deployments, distinguish Classic from ActiveMQ Artemis and pin the intended release line, JDK, and protocol compatibility.
Try it in 3 steps
- 1
Download ActiveMQ Classic 6.3.2
Use JDK 17 or newer and download the official binary plus its SHA-512 file.
curl -LO https://dlcdn.apache.org/activemq/6.3.2/apache-activemq-6.3.2-bin.tar.gz && curl -LO https://downloads.apache.org/activemq/6.3.2/apache-activemq-6.3.2-bin.tar.gz.sha512 - 2
Verify SHA-512 and extract the distribution
Perform the Apache-recommended integrity verification before extracting the broker.
sha512sum -c apache-activemq-6.3.2-bin.tar.gz.sha512 && tar xzf apache-activemq-6.3.2-bin.tar.gz - 3
Start the broker in the foreground
Use foreground mode for local evaluation. Production deployments still need authentication, TLS, storage, connector, and monitoring design.
cd apache-activemq-6.3.2 && ./bin/activemq console
Growth
Growth trends · Last 30 days
2,464 Stars
Trend data is still being collected.
Development activity
Last 90 days · weekly
- Commits (last 30 days)
- 34
- Open PRs
- 46
Development activity is still being collected.
Built with
Categories and tags
Categories
GitHub data
GitHub dataView detailed GitHub data
GitHub Topics
- activemq
- java
- amqp
- amqps
- apache
- broker
- jms
- messaging
- mqtt
- openwire
- stomp
- Stars
- 2,464
- Forks
- 1,502
- Watchers
- 194
- Open issues
- 58
- Contributors
- 168
- Owner type
- Organization
- Primary language
- Java
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Repository last updated
- Oct 1, 2026
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