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Apache Kafka vs IBM Event Streams comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary
 

Categories and Ranking

Apache Kafka
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
84
Ranking in other categories
Streaming Analytics (7th)
IBM Event Streams
Average Rating
8.4
Number of Reviews
3
Ranking in other categories
Message Queue (MQ) Software (10th)
 

Mindshare comparison

Apache Kafka and IBM Event Streams aren’t in the same category and serve different purposes. Apache Kafka is designed for Streaming Analytics and holds a mindshare of 0.3%, up 0.0% compared to last year.
IBM Event Streams, on the other hand, focuses on Message Queue (MQ) Software, holds 1.4% mindshare, down 1.5% since last year.
Streaming Analytics
Message Queue (MQ) Software
 

Featured Reviews

Eyob Alemu - PeerSpot reviewer
Significant cost savings with real-time processing and fast recovery
We use Kafka for a stage event-driven process from a process perspective. Our platform is an ID platform, so after registration data is received, it has to be stored from various registration locations. The process includes stages like quality checking, consistency, format, biometric data checking…
Ismail El-Dahshan - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficiently calculates data flow and provides ease of integration
We seamlessly integrated IBM Event Streams with real data processes by establishing data consumers. The consumers act as end-users, initiating requests and receiving responses from the data provider. The system efficiently processes and calculates the data flow within the cluster using DLP functionality. It provides an easy integration, particularly in creating a platform and facilitating interactions between subscribers and service providers. I rate it an eight out of ten.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The most valuable features are the stream API, consumer groups, and the way that the scaling takes place."
"The convenience in setting up after major problems like data center blackouts is a notable feature."
"The solution is very scalable. We started with a cluster of three and then scaled it to seven."
"Apache Kafka's most valuable features include clustering and sharding...It is a pretty stable solution."
"The open-source version is relatively straightforward to set up and only takes a few minutes."
"Kafka is an open-source tool that's easy to use in our country, and the command line interface is powerful."
"I have seen a return on investment with this solution."
"When comparing it with other messaging and integration platforms, this is one of the best rated."
"I'm an administrator, and what I like most is the interface, the security, and the storage."
"The system efficiently processes and calculates the data flow within the cluster using DLP functionality."
"The stability has been good."
 

Cons

"Kafka is a nightmare to administer."
"Kafka does not provide control over the message queue, so we do not know whether we are experiencing lost or duplicate messages."
"They need to have a proper portal to do everything because, at this moment, Kafka is lagging in this regard."
"Apache Kafka can improve by adding a feature out of the box which allows it to deliver only one message."
"Kafka 2.0 has been released for over a month, and I wanted to try out the new features. However, the configuration is a little bit complicated: Kafka Broker, Kafka Manager, ZooKeeper Servers, etc."
"The UI is based on command line. It would be helpful if they could come up with a simpler user interface."
"One of the things I am mostly looking for is that once the message is picked up from Kafka, it should not be visible or able to be consumed by other applications, or something along those lines. That feature is not present, but it is not a limitation or anything of the sort; rather, it is a desirable feature. The next release should include a feature that prevents messages from being consumed by other applications once they are picked up by Kafka."
"We cannot apply all of our security requirements because it is hard to upload them."
"In the next release, I would like to see the GUI allow you to configure the security section."
"It would be helpful if they could help us explain why they, as in, the customers, should use the product and the overall benefits."
"The product's interface needs improvement."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I would not subscribe to the Confluent platform, but rather stay on the free open source version. The extra cost wasn't justified."
"Apache Kafka is an open-source solution and there are no fees, but there are fees associated with confluence, which are based on subscription."
"Licensing issues are not applicable. Apache licensing makes it simple with almost zero cost for the software itself."
"The solution is free, it is open-source."
"We use the free version."
"Apache Kafka is an open-sourced solution. There are fees if you want the support, and I would recommend it for enterprises. There are annual subscriptions available."
"It is open source software."
"Apache Kafka is an open-source solution."
"The platform is averagely priced."
"The pricing needs to be improved."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
31%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Retailer
5%
Financial Services Firm
27%
Computer Software Company
18%
Government
6%
Hospitality Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What are the differences between Apache Kafka and IBM MQ?
Apache Kafka is open source and can be used for free. It has very good log management and has a way to store the data used for analytics. Apache Kafka is very good if you have a high number of user...
What do you like most about Apache Kafka?
Apache Kafka is an open-source solution that can be used for messaging or event processing.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Apache Kafka?
We use Apache Kafka, which is open-source, so we don't have fees. I can't comment on ownership costs as I am not responsible for that domain.
What do you like most about IBM Event Streams?
The system efficiently processes and calculates the data flow within the cluster using DLP functionality.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Event Streams?
The platform is averagely priced. I rate the pricing a six out of ten.
What needs improvement with IBM Event Streams?
The product's interface needs improvement. Additionally, there could be a management console to create and manage clusters.
 

Learn More

 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Uber, Netflix, Activision, Spotify, Slack, Pinterest
American Airlines, UBank, Bitly, Eurobits, Active International, Bison, Contextor, Constance Hotels, Resorts & Golf, Creval, Deloitte, ExxonMobil, FaceMe, FacePhi, Fitzsoft, Fuga Technologies, Guardio, Honeywell, Japanese airline, Jenzabar, KONE
Find out what your peers are saying about Apache Kafka vs. IBM Event Streams and other solutions. Updated: May 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.