MQTT vs. HTTP

[rhasselbaum]

I'm considering a new installation and wondering if I should go with MQTT or HTTP. What are the pros/cons of each? A few things about my setup (if it matters):

• I'm using Android devices
• I have Home Assistant with MQTT already set up
• I want to share locations with a few "friends"

Thanks.

[jpmens]

Most of us are likely to recommend MQTT which was the original protocol supported by OwnTracks (originally named MQTTitude :-) We later added support for HTTP thinking that some people would have an easier time setting up OwnTracks on a simple VPS using an existing nginx or Apache rather than configuring an MQTT broker, TLS for it, etc.

You write you already use MQTT for Home Assistant so there's not a single reason I can think of for you to use OwnTracks without MQTT, on the contrary: we support it in both our Android and iOS apps, so have at it, and if you run into trouble feel free to submit issues on the respective trackers.

[jpmens]

Closing as answered.