Link copied to clipboard # Apache Kafka vs Confluent Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/apache-kafka/confluent/export.csv) Apache KafkaConfluent[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **Apache Kafka** No pricing available **Confluent** Free Trial No pricing available **Pricing Insights** from reviews Perceived Cost **Apache Kafka** $$$$$ **Confluent** $$$$$ Average Discount **Apache Kafka** Not enough reviews yet **Confluent** 9% Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience. See it for free Time to Implement **Apache Kafka** 6 months Based on 100 responses **Confluent** 6 months Based on 100 responses Return on Investment **Apache Kafka** 6 months Based on 100 responses **Confluent** 6 months Based on 100 responses **Pros & Cons** from reviews **Apache Kafka** Scalability (5) Real-time Data (3) Complexity (1) Data Management Issues (1) **Confluent** Cloud Computing (1) Cloud Services (1) Cost Estimation (1) Expensive (1) Integrations **Apache Kafka** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_f02074c30c67e8f61b2e516a8e03c83d/iceberg.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ICEBERG ](https://www.g2.com/products/iceberg/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_f085034cbd2d1bed2d32b0b714e1728e/red-panda.png "Product Avatar Image") Red Panda ](https://www.g2.com/products/red-panda/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-kafka/integrations) **Confluent** Not enough data Screenshots **Apache Kafka** No screenshot available **Confluent** ![Confluent screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/201434/Screen-Shot-2022-02-15-at-2.54.15-PM.png) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **Apache Kafka** **8.9** /10 Based on 96 responses **Confluent** **8.8** /10 Based on 88 responses Ease of Use **Apache Kafka** **8.6** /10 Based on 97 responses **Confluent** **8.2** /10 Based on 113 responses Ease of Setup **Apache Kafka** **8.0** /10 Based on 35 responses **Confluent** **7.6** /10 Based on 61 responses Ease of Admin **Apache Kafka** **7.9** /10 Based on 25 responses **Confluent** **8.1** /10 Based on 39 responses Quality of Support **Apache Kafka** **7.9** /10 Based on 84 responses **Confluent** **8.3** /10 Based on 82 responses Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Apache Kafka** **8.4** /10 Based on 21 responses **Confluent** **8.5** /10 Based on 36 responses Product Direction (% positive) **Apache Kafka** **8.9** /10 Based on 92 responses **Confluent** **9.0** /10 Based on 89 responses **Features** ratings from reviews Event Stream Processing **8.8** /10 Based on 42 responses **8.8** /10 Based on 82 responses Message Queue (MQ) **8.4** /10 Based on 56 responses Not enough data Big Data Processing and Distribution Not enough data **8.4** /10 Based on 28 responses Uncover more feature rated insights from real users to improve your shopping experience. See it for free Big Data Analytics Not enough data **8.3** /10 Based on 26 responses User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 22.0% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 31.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 46.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 22.0% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 31.5% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 46.5% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 33.1% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.9% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 36.0% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 33.1% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 30.9% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 36.0% **Reviewers' Industry** [![Apache Kafka](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_809aa88d3571ee805a47d8fb156ba412/apache-kafka.jpg "Apache Kafka")](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-kafka/reviews) Apache Kafka Computer Software 24.4% Information Technology and Services 18.9% Financial Services 7.9% Banking 5.5% Retail 4.7% Other 38.6% [![Confluent](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b087379a1153e7d513f37c83481c8ced/confluent.png "Confluent")](https://www.g2.com/products/confluent/reviews) Confluent Computer Software 20.3% Information Technology and Services 14.3% Financial Services 12.8% Banking 7.5% Retail 5.3% Other 39.8% Alternatives **Apache Kafka Alternatives** ![Google Cloud Pub/Sub](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_aeae116c52945fdecd7ed16d621cb315/google-cloud-pub-sub.png "Google Cloud Pub/Sub") [ Google Cloud Pub/Sub ](/products/google-cloud-pub-sub/reviews) ![MuleSoft Anypoint Platform](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d763ac0221fcc0848182458b48016e06/mulesoft-anypoint-platform%282%29.svg "MuleSoft Anypoint Platform") [ MuleSoft Anypoint Platform ](/products/mulesoft-anypoint-platform/reviews) ![Amazon Kinesis Data Streams](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5383be31b099738701f86724a8b5cf9a/aws-amazon-kinesis-data-streams.svg "Amazon Kinesis Data Streams") [ Amazon Kinesis Data Streams ](/products/aws-amazon-kinesis-data-streams/reviews) ![IBM MQ](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1523893622/ibm-mq.svg "IBM MQ") [ IBM MQ ](/products/ibm-mq/reviews) **Confluent Alternatives** ![Cloudera](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/dcfb9e6879febb34cef773ddde921835/cloudera.svg "Cloudera") [ Cloudera ](/products/cloudera/reviews) ![Lenses](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/00711a899e586e752321ee33312a1509/lenses.svg "Lenses") [ Lenses ](/products/lenses/reviews) ![Amazon Kinesis Data Streams](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5383be31b099738701f86724a8b5cf9a/aws-amazon-kinesis-data-streams.svg "Amazon Kinesis Data Streams") [ Amazon Kinesis Data Streams ](/products/aws-amazon-kinesis-data-streams/reviews) ![Amazon Managed Streaming for Apache Kafka (Amazon MSK)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/5383be31b099738701f86724a8b5cf9a/amazon-managed-streaming-for-apache-kafka-amazon-msk.svg "Amazon Managed Streaming for Apache Kafka (Amazon MSK)") [ Amazon Managed Streaming... ](/products/amazon-managed-streaming-for-apache-kafka-amazon-msk/reviews) ## Apache Kafka vs Confluent FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 14, 2026 ### What is the difference between Confluent vs Apache Kafka? Apache Kafka is distinguished by its higher G2 rating and slightly higher Ease of Use and Meets Requirements scores, while Confluent stands out for its managed service and ease of setup. | | [Confluent](https://www.g2.com/products/confluent/reviews) | [Apache Kafka](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-kafka/reviews) | | --- | --- | --- | | G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.4/5 (114 reviews) | 4.5/5 (132 reviews) | | Largest Segment | Enterprise | Enterprise | | Ease of Setup score | 8.2 | 8.0 | | Quality of Support score | 8.3 | 7.8 | | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Managed Kafka operations and integrations | Scalability and real-time data streaming | ### How do the pricing models of Confluent and Apache Kafka compare? Confluent is rated higher for value with a superior Price/Cost satisfaction score compared to Apache Kafka. - **Confluent:** Reviewers highlight that Confluent reduces operational burden and saves developer time, but note that costs can increase with data volume and some features are only available in higher editions. - **Apache Kafka:** Reviewers appreciate Kafka's open-source nature and scalability, but mention the complexity and resource requirements of self-management as trade-offs. - **Switching Reason:** Several reviewers switched to Confluent to avoid the operational complexity and maintenance overhead of managing native Kafka clusters. ### What are the best alternatives to Confluent and Apache Kafka? The top three alternatives to Confluent and Apache Kafka are Cloudera, Lenses, and Google Cloud Pub/Sub. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Confluent](https://www.g2.com/products/confluent/reviews) | 4.4/5 (114 reviews) | Enterprise | Costs can rise with data volume; managed service reduces operational burden | Managed Kafka operations and integrations | | [Apache Kafka](https://www.g2.com/products/apache-kafka/reviews) | 4.5/5 (132 reviews) | Enterprise | Open-source, but requires significant operational expertise | Scalability and real-time data streaming | | [Cloudera](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudera/reviews) | 4.1/5 (136 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise data management and analytics | | [Lenses](https://www.g2.com/products/lenses/reviews) | 4.2/5 (17 reviews) | — | — | Data streaming observability and governance | | [Google Cloud Pub/Sub](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-pub-sub/reviews) | 4.5/5 (39 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Cloud-native event streaming | ### Which Event Stream Processing features should I prioritize when comparing Confluent and Apache Kafka? Buyers should prioritize ease of setup, integration capabilities, scalability, reliability, and support quality when comparing Confluent and Apache Kafka. - **Ease of Setup:** Confluent scores 8.2, Apache Kafka 8.0. - **Integration Capabilities:** Confluent has 1 all-time mention for integrations; Apache Kafka has 2 all-time mentions for easy integrations. - **Scalability:** Apache Kafka has 5 all-time mentions for scalability; Confluent is frequently cited for managed scalability in recent reviews. - **Reliability:** Both products are cited for reliability, with Apache Kafka having 2 all-time mentions and Confluent 1 all-time mention. - **Support Quality:** Confluent scores 8.3, Apache Kafka 7.8 on Quality of Support. ### What are the pros and cons of Confluent vs Apache Kafka? Apache Kafka's headline strength is scalability and real-time data streaming, while Confluent's is managed Kafka operations and integrations. - **Confluent strengths:** Managed Kafka operations, ease of use, integrations, real-time streaming, and reliability (each with 1 all-time mention). - **Confluent trade-offs:** Cost estimation, expense, learning curve, and limited features (each with 1 all-time mention). - **Apache Kafka strengths:** Scalability (5 all-time mentions), real-time data (3), easy integrations (2), performance (2), reliability (2), and management ease (1). - **Apache Kafka trade-offs:** Complexity, required expertise, debugging issues, maintenance, and limited customization (each with 1 all-time mention). ### Is Confluent or Apache Kafka better for small businesses? Google Cloud Pub/Sub is the top alternative with a Small-Business segment, while both Confluent and Apache Kafka are primarily used by Enterprise reviewers. - **Confluent:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers note ease of setup and managed service but mention cost as a concern for smaller businesses. - **Apache Kafka:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers highlight scalability and performance but cite operational complexity as a challenge for small teams. ### Which Event Stream Processing platform has better integrations? Apache Kafka is favored for integrations, with more all-time mentions for easy integrations than Confluent. - **Confluent:** Integrations are cited in recent reviews, with 1 all-time mention for integrations and 1 for connectors. - **Apache Kafka:** Easy integrations are cited in recent reviews, with 2 all-time mentions for easy integrations and 1 for integrations. ### How do Confluent and Apache Kafka compare on customer support? Confluent is rated higher for Quality of Support, with a 0.5-point advantage over Apache Kafka (8.3 vs 7.8). - **Confluent:** Reviewers consistently praise responsive support, helpful documentation, and developer advocacy resources. - **Apache Kafka:** Reviewers note reliable support and a strong community, but mention a steeper learning curve and less direct support compared to managed solutions. ### Which is easier to implement, Confluent or Apache Kafka? Confluent and Apache Kafka score within 0.2 points on Ease of Setup (8.2 vs 8.0), indicating near parity. - **Confluent:** Reviewers highlight fast setup, minimal technical skills required, and managed infrastructure as key benefits. - **Apache Kafka:** Reviewers describe setup as straightforward for experienced teams but note a steeper learning curve and heavier operational requirements for new users. ### Which product has better Integration? Apache Kafka is favored for Integration, with more all-time mentions for easy integrations than Confluent. - **Confluent:** Integration is cited in recent reviews, with 1 all-time mention for integrations and 1 for connectors. - **Apache Kafka:** Easy integrations are cited in recent reviews, with 2 all-time mentions for easy integrations and 1 for integrations.