Apache Flink vs Apache Kafka:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apache Kafka had more branded searches than Apache Flink among event streaming platforms worldwide. Apache Kafka had about 49,500 branded searches, while Apache Flink had 18,100. Apache Kafka made up 57.6% of all event streaming platform searches we track, and Apache Flink accounted for 21.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about event streaming platforms, Apache Kafka appeared in all five answers and Apache Flink in four. Apache Kafka was mentioned before Apache Flink in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Apache Kafka, about 3 searches for every 1 for Apache Flink
Who does AI mention more?
Apache Kafka, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Apache Kafka, named ahead of Apache Flink in every answer
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Top event streaming platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apache 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. Apache 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.
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.
Is Apache Flink or Apache Kafka more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apache Flink and Apache Kafka by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight event streaming platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Apache Kafka, Apache Flink. 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% |
How has the Apache Flink and Apache Kafka comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apache Kafka was ahead of Apache Flink 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 event streaming platforms worldwide moved from 22.5% to 21.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apache Kafka’s share of searches among event streaming platforms worldwide moved from 50.3% to 57.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for event streaming platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 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%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apache Flink’s and Apache 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
Apache Kafka
1 branded search term
- apache kafka
Other head-to-heads among event streaming platforms
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