How popular isApache Flink?
In September 2026, people searched for Apache Flink by name about 18,100 times worldwide, a 33.2% decrease from the previous year. These searches made up 21.1% of all global event streaming platform searches, placing Apache Flink second out of eight platforms. When we asked both ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about event streaming platforms, Apache Flink appeared in four of the five answers and was the sixth most recommended of the eight.
Apache Flink is the second most searched of 8 competitors and the sixth most recommended in AI answers.
Apache KafkaShare of searches 57.6%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 1st
Apache FlinkShare of searches 21.1%Mentioned in 4 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 6th
Amazon KinesisShare of searches 10.5%Mentioned in 5 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 3rd
Apache PulsarShare of searches 5.1%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 5th
Google Pub/SubShare of searches 2.8%Mentioned in 3 of 5 AI answersPlace in AI recommendations 7th
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Top event streaming platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apache Flink was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Apache Flink is the sixth most recommended of the eight.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Apache Kafka5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Amazon Kinesis5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Apache Flink4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Redpanda4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Confluent4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Apache Pulsar3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Google Pub/Sub3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Azure Event Hubs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about event streaming platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which event streaming platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best event streaming platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best event streaming platform for live event data?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“event streaming platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“real time event streaming”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 20, 2026.
Which event streaming platforms compete with Apache Flink?
Share of searches by month for Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, Amazon Kinesis, Apache Pulsar, Google Pub/Sub. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apache Kafka | Apache Flink | Amazon Kinesis | Apache Pulsar | Google Pub/Sub | Azure Event Hubs | Redpanda | Confluent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.3% | 22.5% | 13.7% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 2% | 0.83% | 0.27% |
| Nov 2025 | 54.6% | 20% | 12.2% | 6% | 4% | 2.2% | 0.9% | 0.19% |
| Dec 2025 | 54.2% | 19.8% | 12.1% | 5.9% | 3.9% | 2.6% | 0.96% | 0.41% |
| Jan 2026 | 50% | 22.4% | 13.6% | 6.7% | 3.6% | 2.4% | 1% | 0.26% |
| Feb 2026 | 51.9% | 23.3% | 11.5% | 5.7% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 1% | 0.24% |
| Mar 2026 | 54.4% | 20% | 12.1% | 5.9% | 4% | 2.2% | 1.2% | 0.27% |
| Apr 2026 | 54.5% | 19.9% | 12.1% | 5.9% | 4% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.34% |
| May 2026 | 56.1% | 20.5% | 11.6% | 5% | 3.3% | 2.2% | 1.1% | 0.26% |
| Jun 2026 | 51.2% | 22.9% | 12.9% | 5.6% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 0.21% |
| Jul 2026 | 53.2% | 19.4% | 14.2% | 5.8% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 1.3% | 0.18% |
| Aug 2026 | 54.6% | 20% | 12.1% | 5.9% | 3.2% | 2.2% | 1.8% | 0.22% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.6% | 21.1% | 10.5% | 5.1% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 1.2% | 0.27% |
| Rank | Brand | Share of searches | Estimated monthly branded searches | vs prior month | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1, held 1st | 57.6% | 49.5K | +22.2% | +3 points | |
| 2, held 2nd | 21.1% | 18.1K | +22.3% | +1.1 points | |
| 3, held 3rd | 10.5% | 9K | 0% | -1.7 points | |
| 4, held 4th | 5.1% | 4.4K | 0% | -0.8 points | |
| 5, held 5th | 2.8% | 2.4K | 0% | -0.4 points | |
| 6, held 6th | 1.5% | 1.3K | -18.8% | -0.6 points | |
| 7, held 7th | 1.2% | 1K | -23.1% | -0.6 points | |
| 8, held 8th | 0.27% | 230 | +43.8% | +0.1 points |
57.6%
Held 1st. 49.5K estimated branded searches, +22.2% vs prior month. Share +3 points.
21.1%
Held 2nd. 18.1K estimated branded searches, +22.3% vs prior month. Share +1.1 points.
10.5%
Held 3rd. 9K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -1.7 points.
5.1%
Held 4th. 4.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.8 points.
2.8%
Held 5th. 2.4K estimated branded searches, 0% vs prior month. Share -0.4 points.
1.5%
Held 6th. 1.3K estimated branded searches, -18.8% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.
7.
Redpanda1.2%
Held 7th. 1K estimated branded searches, -23.1% vs prior month. Share -0.6 points.
0.27%
Held 8th. 230 estimated branded searches, +43.8% vs prior month. Share +0.1 points.
Compare popularity between Apache Flink and its closest rivals
Every comparison with Apache Flink
13 comparisons
- Apache Flink vs Apache Kafka
- Apache Flink vs Pub/Sub
- Amazon Kinesis vs Apache Flink
- Apache Flink vs Kafka
- Apache Flink vs Apache Pulsar
- Apache Flink vs RisingWave
- Apache Flink vs Kinesis
- Apache Flink vs Google Pub/Sub
- Apache Flink vs Google Cloud Dataflow
- Apache Flink vs Azure Event Hubs
- Apache Flink vs Redpanda
- Apache Flink vs Azure Stream Analytics
- Apache Flink vs Confluent
How has branded search demand for Apache Flink changed worldwide over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, estimated monthly branded searches for Apache Flink worldwide fell from 27.1K to 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apache Flink’s share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide decreased from 22.5% to 21.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apache Flink’s share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide peaked at 23.3% in February 2026 and was lowest at 19.4% in July 2026.
How did search popularity change for event streaming platforms worldwide in September 2026?
6 changes

In September 2026, Apache Kafka gained share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide, from 54.6% to 57.6%.

In September 2026, Apache Flink gained share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide, from 20% to 21.1%.

In September 2026, Amazon Kinesis lost share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide, from 12.1% to 10.5%.

In September 2026, Apache Pulsar lost share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide, from 5.9% to 5.1%.

In September 2026, Azure Event Hubs lost share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide, from 2.2% to 1.5%.

In September 2026, Redpanda lost share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide, from 1.8% to 1.2%.
How are Apache Flink’s branded searches counted?
1 search term
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apache Flink’s name. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for this branded term can be used to understand whether interest in the brand is growing, holding steady, or fading.
- apache flink
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Where does Apache Flink compete?
| Competitor set | Rank | Share of searches | Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Event streaming platforms | 2nd of 8 | 21.1% | Shown above |
| Streaming data platforms | 2nd of 8 | 27% | Show ranking |
| Streaming analytics platforms | 1st of 8 | 51.2% | Show ranking |

Is Apache Flink your brand?
Put your own campaigns, spend and outcomes next to this demand line, so you can see which of your marketing lined up with the movements above.