Apache Flink vs Pub/Sub:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pub/Sub had more branded searches than Apache Flink among streaming data platforms worldwide. Pub/Sub had about 33,100 branded searches, while Apache Flink had 18,100. Pub/Sub made up 49.3% of all streaming data platform searches we track, and Apache Flink accounted for 27%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about streaming data platforms, Apache Flink and Pub/Sub each appeared in four of the five answers. Pub/Sub was mentioned before Apache Flink in three out of five answers.
Who do people search for more?
Pub/Sub, about 83% more searches than Apache Flink
Who does AI mention more?
Both were mentioned in 4 of 5 answers.
Who does AI recommend more?
Pub/Sub, named ahead of Apache Flink in 3 of 5 answers
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Top streaming data 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. Pub/Sub was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Pub/Sub was listed before Apache Flink in three out of five answers.
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 Pub/Sub more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apache Flink and Pub/Sub 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 Pub/Sub, Apache Flink. 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 Pub/Sub comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Pub/Sub 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 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, Pub/Sub’s share of searches among streaming data platforms worldwide moved from 37.4% to 49.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 33.1K.
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%.
In September 2026, Pub/Sub lost share of searches among streaming data platforms worldwide, from 51.4% to 49.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apache Flink’s and Pub/Sub’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
Pub/Sub
1 branded search term
- pub/sub
Other head-to-heads among streaming data platforms
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