Apache Kafka vs RabbitMQ
Apache Kafka vs RabbitMQ: which to choose
Apache Kafka has the larger community with 33.0k GitHub stars against 13.7k for RabbitMQ, which usually means more integrations, examples and third-party help when you get stuck.
Choose Apache Kafka if you lean toward streaming and events; choose RabbitMQ if amqp and broker matters more for your stack. All figures above are pulled from live GitHub and pricing data, not vendor marketing.
Frequently asked questions
Is Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ better?▾
It depends on your priorities. Apache Kafka has 33.0k GitHub stars and uses a open-source pricing model, while RabbitMQ has 13.7k stars and uses a open-source model. Both offer a free plan so you can try each before committing.
Is Apache Kafka cheaper than RabbitMQ?▾
Apache Kafka starts at $0/mo while RabbitMQ starts at $0/mo. Apache Kafka has a free plan. RabbitMQ has a free plan.
What are the main differences between Apache Kafka and RabbitMQ?▾
Apache Kafka is tagged as streaming, events, apache while RabbitMQ is tagged as amqp, broker, open-source. Apache Kafka uses a open-source pricing model and has a community of 33.0k GitHub stars. RabbitMQ uses a open-source model with 13.7k GitHub stars.
Does Apache Kafka or RabbitMQ have a free plan?▾
Yes, both Apache Kafka and RabbitMQ offer a free plan.