Alternative to MQTT server

[aayush-eatclub]

I’m currently capturing Frigate’s motion detection events via MQTT. Is there a way to get these events without using MQTT—for example, through standard output, logs, or another interface?

[inkeep-ai-assistant[bot]]

Yes, there are alternatives to MQTT for accessing Frigate events:

REST API: Frigate exposes a REST API that you can query for events and statistics(1). The same data available through MQTT stats is also available at /api/stats(2).

Database Access: Frigate stores event data in a SQLite database located at /config/frigate.db by default(3). You can query this database directly to access historical event data.

Home Assistant Integration: If you're using Home Assistant, the official Frigate integration provides access to events and entities without requiring direct MQTT interaction(4). The integration still requires MQTT to be configured between Frigate and Home Assistant, but you can access the data through Home Assistant's interface and automations(4).

However, MQTT remains the primary real-time event notification system for Frigate(1). The platform is specifically designed to communicate over MQTT for easy integration into other systems(1), and many of the real-time features depend on this messaging system(2).

If you need real-time motion detection events without MQTT, you would need to implement polling of the REST API or database, which won't provide the same immediate notification capabilities that MQTT offers.

📚 Sources:

1. Introduction
2. MQTT
3. Full Reference Config
4. Home Assistant Integration

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[aayush-eatclub]

I want real time updates. Accessing APIs or DB can be done as post processing part . Is there any way to access real-time events ?

[hawkeye217]

No. MQTT is the only "real-time" method that Frigate publishes motion detection information.

[NickM-27]

The websocket can be used as well, but that is not officially documented and mqtt is simpler