Apache Flink vs Google Cloud Dataflow:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apache Flink had more branded searches than Google Cloud Dataflow among streaming analytics platforms worldwide. Apache Flink had about 18,100 branded searches, while Google Cloud Dataflow had 1,900. Apache Flink made up 51.2% of all streaming analytics platform searches we track, and Google Cloud Dataflow accounted for 5.4%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about streaming analytics platforms, Apache Flink appeared in all five answers and Google Cloud Dataflow in two. Apache Flink was mentioned before Google Cloud Dataflow in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Apache Flink, about 10 searches for every 1 for Google Cloud Dataflow
Who does AI mention more?
Apache Flink, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Apache Flink, named ahead of Google Cloud Dataflow in every answer
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Top streaming analytics platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apache Flink appeared in all five answers. Google Cloud Dataflow was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apache Flink was listed before Google Cloud Dataflow 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 Flink5 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
Amazon Kinesis4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Azure Stream Analytics3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Google Cloud Dataflow2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Redpanda2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
RisingWave1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Materialize1 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about streaming analytics platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which streaming analytics platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best streaming analytics platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best streaming analytics platform for real-time data?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“streaming analytics platforms”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“real-time analytics 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 Google Cloud Dataflow more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apache Flink and Google Cloud Dataflow by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight streaming analytics platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Apache Flink, Google Cloud Dataflow. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Apache Flink | Amazon Kinesis | RisingWave | Google Cloud Dataflow | Redpanda | Azure Stream Analytics | Confluent | Materialize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.5% | 30.7% | 8.2% | 3.5% | 1.9% | 4.5% | 0.61% | 0.07% |
| Nov 2025 | 48.6% | 29.6% | 9.6% | 5.3% | 2.2% | 4.2% | 0.46% | 0.07% |
| Dec 2025 | 48.7% | 29.6% | 9.7% | 4.3% | 2.4% | 4.3% | 1% | 0.05% |
| Jan 2026 | 49.5% | 30.1% | 9.8% | 4.2% | 2.2% | 3.6% | 0.58% | 0.07% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.5% | 26% | 8.5% | 6.9% | 2.4% | 3.1% | 0.54% | 0.07% |
| Mar 2026 | 48.5% | 29.5% | 9.6% | 5.2% | 2.8% | 3.5% | 0.66% | 0.07% |
| Apr 2026 | 48.3% | 29.4% | 11.8% | 4.3% | 2.7% | 2.7% | 0.83% | 0.08% |
| May 2026 | 47.4% | 26.7% | 11.5% | 7.6% | 2.6% | 3.4% | 0.6% | 0.05% |
| Jun 2026 | 47% | 26.5% | 11.4% | 9.4% | 2.6% | 2.6% | 0.44% | 0.05% |
| Jul 2026 | 42.2% | 30.8% | 12.6% | 8.3% | 2.9% | 2.9% | 0.4% | 0.03% |
| Aug 2026 | 42.9% | 26.1% | 15.7% | 8.4% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 0.46% | 0.06% |
| Sep 2026 | 51.2% | 25.4% | 12.4% | 5.4% | 2.8% | 2% | 0.65% | 0.06% |
How has the Apache Flink and Google Cloud Dataflow comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apache Flink was ahead of Google Cloud Dataflow 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 analytics platforms worldwide moved from 50.5% to 51.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 27.1K to 18.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Google Cloud Dataflow’s share of searches among streaming analytics platforms worldwide moved from 3.5% to 5.4%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.9K.
How did search popularity change for streaming analytics platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Apache Flink gained share of searches among streaming analytics platforms worldwide, from 42.9% to 51.2%.
In September 2026, Google Cloud Dataflow lost share of searches among streaming analytics platforms worldwide, from 8.4% to 5.4%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apache Flink’s and Google Cloud Dataflow’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
Google Cloud Dataflow
1 branded search term
- google cloud dataflow
Other head-to-heads among streaming analytics platforms
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