Side by side
Apache Kafka vs Redpanda
Both stand on event streaming platforms. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose Apache Kafka if you need a free, open-source stream-processing system that supports stateful processing and event-time windows and can be self-hosted. Its listed client options cover several languages and REST APIs. Look elsewhere if SQL processing is required.
Visit Apache Kafka
Choose Redpanda if your team needs replayable event streams through a Kafka-compatible API and wants managed or self-managed deployment choices. Look elsewhere if the BYOC throughput and partition ceilings do not fit your workload, or if you need plan prices before contacting the provider.
Visit RedpandaThe facts
| Apache Kafka | Redpanda | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | No |
| Runs on | API, Self-hosted | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | kafka.apache.org | redpanda.com |
| On event streaming platforms | #4 of 27 | #8 of 27 |
Apache Kafka: what it does well
- Free and open source.
- Self-hosted deployment model.
- Supports stateful processing and event-time windows.
- Delivery guarantee is listed as both.
- Client options include Java, Scala, Go, Python, C, C++, and REST APIs.
What to know first
- SQL processing is not supported.
- Teams must use the self-hosted deployment model.
Redpanda: what it does well
- Kafka API compatibility is designed to avoid application rewrites and tool changes.
- More than 300 pre-built connectors cover sources, sinks, databases, APIs, and more.
- Native Apache Iceberg support includes topics for lakehouse-ready tables.
- Deployment options include Serverless, managed BYOC, and self-managed environments.
- Clients are available for Java, C/C++, Go, Python, Rust, and Node.js.
What to know first
- BYOC and Enterprise Edition use annual commitments.
- BYOC has maximum write and read rates and a partition limit.
- Prices for the listed plans are not provided.
Alternatives to Apache Kafka Alternatives to Redpanda The whole list