Start with the installer you need.
MQTT.fx remains useful when you need a familiar desktop MQTT client for a quick publish, subscribe, username/password, TLS, or broker connectivity check.
This mirror keeps direct MQTT.fx 1.7.1 installer links visible for Windows, macOS, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, RHEL, and CentOS users who still need the legacy client.
When MQTT.fx is not the best fit.
Use MQTTX when you need a modern MQTT client with active releases and broader MQTT 5 coverage. Use MQTT Explorer when browsing topic trees and retained messages matters more than installer familiarity.
If your goal is not a desktop client but a broker endpoint for device tests, start with the MQTT broker guide and then connect with the client you prefer.