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Redpanda is an API-compatible replacement for Kafka, that is up to 10x faster, up to 6x more cost-effective and significantly easier to use. Download the detailed comparison.
Capability | Redpanda | Apache Kafka | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Single binary | - | Kafka is a componentized solution with dependencies on separate nodes/binaries for ZooKeeper/KRaft, JVM, schema registry, and HTTP proxy. Redpanda is a single binary deployment (brokers, schema registry, HTTP proxy, Raft consensus are all included). | |
Apache Kafka APIs | Redpanda natively supports the Kafka API so it works out-of-the-box with your existing tools and integrations. | ||
Integrated user interface | - | Redpanda Console is a fully integrated user interface, also compatible with Kafka. With Kafka, must use 3rd party tools like Redpanda Console. | |
Data and partition balancing | - | Redpanda features automatic data and partition balancing, allowing for hands-free ops. With Kafka, you need a 3rd party tool (Cruise Control) for partition and data balancing. | |
Integrated monitoring | - | Redpanda offers monitoring available natively via Prometheus. Kafka requires third party tools. |
Capability | Redpanda | Apache Kafka | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Up to 10x performance of Kafka | - | Redpanda achieves 10x lower average latencies vs. Apache Kafka thanks to its optimized performance architecture (built in C++, intelligent memory handling, automatic kernel tuning, async processing, thread-per-core architecture). | |
Predictable latency at scale | - | Redpanda delivers predictable latency at scale because, unlike Kafka, it bypasses the Linux page cache and manages its own memory and disk I/O. | |
Optimized resource efficiency | - | Redpanda uses 3-6x fewer compute resources than Apache Kafka when running the same workload. | |
Tiered storage | - | Redpanda features tiered storage to support retention limits and compaction for topics. With Kafka, tiered storage is currently only available via third-party vendors. |
Capability | Redpanda | Apache Kafka | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Reduced TCO vs Kafka | - | Redpanda is 3-6x more cost-effective than running the equivalent Kafka infrastructure and team, while still delivering superior performance. | |
Storage cost-efficiency | - | With Redpanda, S3-compatible cloud storage is the default storage for all streaming data, allowing for near-infinite data retention at a low cost. | |
Easy Day 2 operations | - | Redpanda automation and intelligent cluster handling eliminates the manual tuning associated with Apache Kafka. |
Capability | Redpanda | Apache Kafka | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Durability | - | Redpanda uses Raft-native architecture for replication and is Jepsen-verified to be safe for data. Apache Kafka uses ISR for replication, which can be subject to unsafe leader election and data loss. | |
Continuous cluster balancing | - | Redpanda features ongoing redistribution of data and leadership across nodes to enable clusters to self-manage and self-heal, preventing performance hotspots without administrative burden. | |
Support | - (community based only) | Redpanda customers have access to a 24x7 helpdesk with SLAs, direct Slack channel, designated account manager, and access to solutions experts. Apache Kafka “support” is 100% community driven. |
- Rich Armstrong
Director of Engineering, Sovrn

- Alex Davies
CTO, Jump Trading

- Sandy Wilbourn
VP Carrier Division, Akamai Technologies
- Michael Pearce
Sr. Architect, StoneX

- Jordi Miró Bruix
CTO, The Hotels Network
- Raja Bhatia
VP Engineering, Alpaca
- Kannan D.R.
Enterprise Data Architect, Liveramp