Apache Flink vs Kafka:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apache Flink had more branded searches than Kafka among streaming data platforms worldwide. Apache Flink had about 18,100 branded searches, while Kafka had 5,400. Apache Flink made up 27% of all streaming data platform searches we track, and Kafka accounted for 8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about streaming data platforms, Kafka appeared in all five answers and Apache Flink in four. Kafka was mentioned before Apache Flink in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Apache Flink, about 3 searches for every 1 for Kafka
Who does AI mention more?
Kafka, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Kafka, named ahead of Apache Flink in every answer
Follow Apache Flink vs Kafka and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top streaming data platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Kafka appeared in all five answers. Apache Flink was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Kafka was listed before Apache Flink in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Kafka1st
Confluent2nd
Kinesis3rd
Redpanda4th
Pub/Sub5th- Apache Flink6th
Apache Pulsar7th
Azure Event Hubs8th
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Kafka5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Kinesis5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Redpanda5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Confluent5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Pub/Sub4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Apache Flink4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Apache Pulsar2 of 5Named in 1 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 streaming data platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which streaming data platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best streaming data platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best streaming data platform for event data?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“streaming data platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“event streaming platform”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Apache Flink or Kafka more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apache Flink and Kafka by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight streaming data platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Apache Flink, Kafka. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Pub/Sub | Apache Flink | Kafka | Apache Pulsar | Kinesis | Azure Event Hubs | Redpanda | Confluent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 37.4% | 30.6% | 11.2% | 9.1% | 7.5% | 2.7% | 1.1% | 0.37% |
| Nov 2025 | 41.9% | 28.1% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 6.8% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.27% |
| Dec 2025 | 45.5% | 24.9% | 11.1% | 7.4% | 6% | 3.3% | 1.2% | 0.51% |
| Jan 2026 | 41.9% | 28.1% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 6.8% | 3% | 1.3% | 0.33% |
| Feb 2026 | 43.1% | 28.9% | 10.5% | 7% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| Mar 2026 | 46.7% | 25.6% | 9.3% | 7.6% | 6.2% | 2.8% | 1.5% | 0.35% |
| Apr 2026 | 51.8% | 23.1% | 8.4% | 6.9% | 5.6% | 2.4% | 1.3% | 0.4% |
| May 2026 | 53.1% | 23.7% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 0.3% |
| Jun 2026 | 53.1% | 23.7% | 8.7% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 2.5% | 1.3% | 0.22% |
| Jul 2026 | 55.3% | 20.2% | 7.4% | 6% | 7.4% | 2.2% | 1.4% | 0.19% |
| Aug 2026 | 51.4% | 23% | 8.4% | 6.8% | 5.6% | 2.5% | 2% | 0.25% |
| Sep 2026 | 49.3% | 27% | 8% | 6.6% | 5.4% | 1.9% | 1.5% | 0.34% |
How has the Apache Flink and Kafka comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apache Flink was ahead of Kafka in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apache Flink’s share of searches among streaming data platforms worldwide moved from 30.6% to 27%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kafka’s share of searches among streaming data platforms worldwide moved from 11.2% to 8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.9K to 5.4K.
How did search popularity change for streaming data platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Apache Flink gained share of searches among streaming data platforms worldwide, from 23% to 27%.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Kafka worldwide fell 45.5% over 12 measured months, from 9.9K to 5.4K in September 2026.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apache Flink’s and Kafka’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apache Flink
1 branded search term
- apache flink
Kafka
1 branded search term
- kafka streaming
Other head-to-heads among streaming data platforms
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.