IGUANA vs. MIRTH CONNECT

Iguana vs. Other Scripting-Based Integration Engines

Developer-first control. Enterprise performance.

Iguana pairs flexible scripting with a lightweight engine that runs anywhere (cloud or on-prem).
Build faster, reuse code and transformation logic, and scale to millions of messages per day — without the heavy footprint common to other scripting-based engines (e.g., Mirth Connect).

Built for technical teams. Trusted across healthcare. Proven at scale. Request a Demo

What Sets Iguana Apart

Other Scripting-Based Engines

e.g., Mirth Connect

Language & Tools

Easy Lua coding with smart tools & reuse

Often JavaScript-based; clunky for complex flows

Performance

Handles millions/day on modest hardware

May slow at higher volumes or during backlogs

Deployment

Deploy on-prem or in cloud with ease

Not cloud-ready; AWS setup can be difficult

Security

HTTPS/SFTP connectivity out of the box

Security may require extra configuration

Monitoring

Real-time logs, alerts, full message tracking

Monitoring can slow with large message queues

Code Reuse

Reusable modules for efficient scaling

Code reuse options may be more limited

Pricing & Support

Integration-based, all inclusive pricing model

Features and support may vary by subscription

Cost Efficiency

Build faster, use less, save more

Infrastructure needs can increase long-term costs

Dependencies

No third-party DB required for logs

External SQL DB needed for logs

Language & Runtime

C++ core; fast, compact runtime

Java-based; JVM & library patches required

Hardware Needs

Runs well on modest hardware

Often requires larger servers; esp. at scale

Why Organizations Are Switching to Iguana

“We needed to process millions of messages daily — Iguana made it reliable and fast.”

“No more nickel‑and‑diming for plug‑ins or support tiers.”

“The UI stays responsive even when backlogs happen.”

High Volume, Low Overhead

Mirth can become resource-heavy under high message loads, often requiring more hardware and tuning.

Iguana processes millions of messages per day on modest hardware thanks to its optimized, lightweight design.

Cloud-Ready, On-Prem Proven

With Mirth Connect, cloud deployment isn't turnkey. AWS setups often require extra components and hand-tuning.

Iguana runs anywhere (in the cloud or on-premise) with a lightweight runtime.

No Third-Party Dependencies

Mirth stores logs in an external SQL database, adding another system to install, back up, patch, and monitor.

Iguana has built-in high-performance logging, eliminating the need for an external database.

Secure, Efficient Foundation

Built on Java, Mirth inherits vulnerabilities from the broader Java ecosystem, including widely publicized security risks.

Iguana's C++ architecture is lightweight and efficient, and it doesn't inherit Java runtime security risks.

Developer Speed & Reuse

With Mirth, teams often need to duplicate code across channels, slowing delivery and increasing maintenance.

Iguana promotes reusable Lua modules (and comes with an extensive code library), so you build faster and keep interfaces consistent.

Predictable TCO & Support

Mirth's licensing, plug-ins, and support tiers can cause costs to drift and releases to slow.

Iguana offers integration-based pricing with unlimited support included — no surprise fees.

Ready to Experience Iguana for Yourself?

Who Typically Chooses Iguana?

Organizations making the switch include...

Healthcare providers replacing scripting‑heavy stacks that don’t scale

Digital health vendors standardizing on APIs, FHIR, and HL7 at speed

Diagnostic labs moving millions of records/day reliably

Public health & HIE requiring robust monitoring and security

Growth‑stage companies seeking predictable TCO

Enterprises needing HA, cloud portability, and control

Join these organizations in breaking free from scripting overhead — build with speed, clarity, and control with Iguana.

Trusted by 800+ Healthcare Providers & Vendors

From hospitals to health tech companies, organizations worldwide choose Iguana for its unmatched flexibility, reliability, and expert support.

Testimonials via Capterra and G2

Very Versatile Integration Engine

"The availability of various inputs and outputs gives Iguana limitless possibilities for implementing integrations between third-party systems and local databases."

Artur L.

Easy Set Up, Reliable, Outstanding Support

"What I like most is the flexibility in creating and updating custom interface channels. Great support, very reliable, and easy to troubleshoot."

Ron C.

Iguana Is Unmatched

"In one word: flexibility. We work with HL7, EDI, FHIR, APIs, CSVs, etc. There is very little we have run into that we could not accomplish with Iguana."

Chris A.

Clean Look, Intuitive Functionality

"Iguana is powerful in its simplicity. It enables seamless data integration between our EMR and pharmacies, labs, clearinghouses, and more."

George O.

Iguana is Easy to Use and Manage

"We process over 20 million HL7 messages daily across 2,500+ channels. Iguana has been stable, reliable, and high-performing for over a decade."

Josh M.

Reusable Integrations, Configurable Endpoints

"We reuse integration code with endpoints like HTTPS, LLP, SFTP, and files. We can deploy integrations to multiple agencies with simple configuration changes."

Michael G.

Ready to Experience Iguana for Yourself?

Still Undecided?

Our team is here to help you get the answers you need — technical or strategic.

Common Questions

Is Iguana easier to run in the cloud than Mirth?

Yes. With Mirth Connect, cloud setups (e.g., AWS) typically need extra components and hand-tuning. Iguana runs anywhere (cloud or on-prem) as a single, lightweight engine, so deployments are faster and simpler to operate.

Do we need an external SQL database for logs with Iguana?

No. Mirth stores logs/message history in an external SQL database, which adds installs, backups, patches, and drivers. Iguana includes built-in, high-performance logging, removing that dependency and reducing operational overhead.

How does Iguana perform at high volume?

Mirth can become resource-heavy at scale and its UI can slow when large queues build. Iguana’s optimized engine processes millions of messages per day on modest hardware, staying responsive even during backlogs.

What's included in pricing? Do we pay extra for support or features?

Mirth often separates features and support into paid tiers. Iguana uses integration-based pricing with support included, giving you predictable TCO without nickel-and-diming.

We're using Mirth and our team knows JavaScript — how hard is it to switch?

Most teams transition smoothly. Iguana's developer-first workflow, reusable modules, and clear logging/traceability help migrations run in parallel with minimal risk, and our included expert support accelerates ramp-up (even if your team is new to Lua).