A message pathway selection system dynamically selects an optimum message pathway for transmitting messages. The system dynamically optimizes a message pathway according to various criteria such as, for example, efficiency, economy, data requirements, auditing requirements, security, data size, etc. The system can direct a message to bypass an infrastructure messaging server, using a direct message pathway. The system can also switch from an infrastructure messaging server to a direct method. The system can also utilize an infrastructure messaging pathway either as an alternative or in parallel with the direct message pathway. The system allows an application to use a single communication system for both a direct mode and an infrastructure mode of data transfer. The present system can bypass the infrastructure message pathway, thus reducing message latency, number of messages sent, and improving overall bandwidth.