Choose your path
Pick the right way to run KubeMQ: try it on a laptop, install with kmq, Docker or Kubernetes, go air-gapped, migrate a broker or upgrade.
KubeMQ runs as one server on Docker for development and test, or as a cluster of three or more servers on Kubernetes for production. Start by trying it on your machine in 5 minutes, then pick the page for your goal.
An air-gapped install is about 60 minutes of work in two sittings, with a wait between them while KubeMQ issues your offline license file.
What do you want to do?
| You want to | Go to | Where it runs | License you need | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Try KubeMQ on your laptop | Try KubeMQ | One Docker server | None: a 14-day evaluation starts on its own | 5 minutes |
| Develop or test on one server | Install with kmq, or Install with Docker | One Docker or Podman server | Trial key (Docker), or a license key | 10 minutes |
| Run a production cluster | Install on Kubernetes | Kubernetes, 3 or more servers | Trial key (Kubernetes), then a license key | 30 minutes |
| Install with no internet access | Install air-gapped | Kubernetes, 3 or more servers | Offline license file | 60 minutes |
| Move from Kafka, RabbitMQ, SQS, MQTT, STOMP, Pub/Sub, AMQP or JMS | Migrate from another broker | Any | Same as the path you install with | Per guide |
| Connect AI agents or an MCP (Model Context Protocol) host | KubeMQ Aiway | Any | Same as the path you install with | 10 minutes |
| Upgrade a running KubeMQ | Upgrade KubeMQ | Where it runs today | Your current license | 15 minutes |
Leave the older kubemq image or chart | Move from legacy KubeMQ | — | Contact support | — |
Each license in the table is compared on Plans compared.
kmq or manual commands?
| Compare | kmq | Docker commands | Helm commands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs in PowerShell, no WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) shell | Yes | No | No |
| Adds the license for you | Yes | No | No |
| Resumes after an interruption | Yes | No | Re-run the same Helm command |
| Best when | You want one tool for install, license and checks | You manage containers yourself | You manage Kubernetes with Helm or GitOps |
All three paths install the same server and end in the same checks.
Every command on these pages installs the latest release. The artifact names and how to pin a release are on Requirements and supported setups.
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Try KubeMQ
Install kmq, start a KubeMQ server on your machine, and send and receive your first message in about five minutes. No signup needed.
Requirements and supported setups
Supported KubeMQ setups, Kubernetes and platform requirements, sizing, network access, artifact names and the latest-release version policy.