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Apache Kafka Pros and Cons: Top 5 Advantages and Disadvantages

Quick AI Summary Based on G2 Reviews

Generated from real user reviews

Users value the high scalability of Apache Kafka, which excels in managing growing data volumes efficiently. (3 mentions)
Users praise the high scalability and performance of Apache Kafka, making it perfect for enterprise data growth. (2 mentions)
Users value the high scalability and performance of Apache Kafka, making it perfect for growing enterprise data needs. (2 mentions)
Users praise real-time data processing in Apache Kafka for its speed, reliability, and scalability across systems. (2 mentions)
Users commend the reliability of Apache Kafka, praising its durability, fault tolerance, and scalability for data processing. (2 mentions)
Users struggle with operational complexity and high resource consumption, finding Kafka's message queuing features limited. (1 mentions)
Users feel that data management issues in Apache Kafka require extensive expertise, which can overwhelm smaller teams. (1 mentions)
Users find debugging issues in Apache Kafka challenging, requiring significant effort and effective tools for resolution. (1 mentions)
Users find the difficult learning curve of Apache Kafka overwhelming for smaller teams, requiring dedicated expertise for management. (1 mentions)
Users find limited customization challenging, especially with complex setups and manual management of brokers and zookeepers. (1 mentions)

5 Pros or Advantages of Apache Kafka

5 Cons or Disadvantages of Apache Kafka

Sarthak A.
SA
Sarthak A.
Software QA Engineer
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Best open-source processing platform"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

Open Source so its reliable and I can customise it to meet my org's requirements Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

The UI and initial setup is a bit tedious compared to the other paid platforms Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Rahul S.
RS
Rahul S.
Software Engineer
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Event Processing using Kafka"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

Easily able to integrate with python and Java Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

I don't see community page of Kafka that strong. Sometimes if you are struck, you need to solve on own. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Samyog G.
SG
Samyog G.
Associate Lead Engineer
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"By using apache Kayla we were able to achieve the functionality we were looking for."
3/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

Smooth communication between the microservices by using the kafka service. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

Inability to have persistent message in case of breakage of communication between the services in my usecase. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Shiva Shankara V.
SV
Shiva Shankara V.
Advanced Application Engineering Senior Analyst
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"Good one"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

Scalable, fault-tolerant, publish-subscribe messaging which helps us building distributed applications Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

I don't see any as of now. Will surely let you know if I find any Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Computer Software
UC
Verified User in Computer Software
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Distributed Messaging tool"
5/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

The best part is the architecture. It is really easy to understand how Kafka works. Also the support with multiple frameworks. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

Might it will be easy if Kafka provides some UI-based tool that can help to debug data inside the Kafka topic. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Banking
CB
Verified User in Banking
Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)
"Apache kafka is very stable and ver useful in day to day software engineering"
5/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

Message queuing is the best and most used features which ensures message loss are not there. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

Lack of monitoring tool makes kafka sometimes frustating. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Information Technology and Services
UI
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Inter api communication.."
4.5/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

Easy to use interface and ability to communicate across multiple api's fulfilling many business requirements. Topic creation is made easy and very much efficient. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

Topicd could have been birectional which can help communicate both frontwards and backwards. Much more friendly ui expected though the current ui is good and does the job. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

DT
Deep T.
Senior Legal Recruiter
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Review for Apache Kafka"
4/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

As an open-source real-time event streaming platform, I liked that it is very efficient and with the right training easy to set up and use. Specifically designed to handle a high volume of data so it is reliable and stable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

For a small volume of data, it is not recommended to use. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Verified User in Information Technology and Services
UI
Verified User in Information Technology and Services
Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)
"One of the best open source distributed event streaming platform"
4.5/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

Multiple subscribers is better option which is not available in many messaging services. It combines messaging, storage, stream processing, etc. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

More reliable on command line. UI based are not that much easier. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Deepankar T.
DT
Deepankar T.
Senior Legal Recruiter
Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)
"Review for Apache Kafka"
4/5
What do you like best about Apache Kafka?

It is best tool for data integration and capable of operating very quickly. It can transfer large amount of data very efficiently. Easily configurable. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about Apache Kafka?

Need a dashboard to monitor performance. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.