Apache Kafka vs Confluent:Which is more popular by branded search?
In August 2026, Confluent had more branded searches than Apache Kafka among event streaming platforms worldwide. Confluent was estimated to have 49.5K branded searches compared to Apache Kafka’s 40.5K, and held a 48.6% Share of Search versus Apache Kafka’s 39.8%. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, Apache Kafka or Confluent?
Compare the platforms used to stream events at scale. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for Confluent, Apache Kafka. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | Confluent | Apache Kafka | Amazon Kinesis | Google Pub/Sub | Azure Event Hubs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 47.6% | 38.9% | 6.4% | 5.7% | 1.5% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.1% | 43.1% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 1.7% |
| Dec 2025 | 75.4% | 18.6% | 2.5% | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| Jan 2026 | 52.4% | 35.1% | 5.7% | 5.1% | 1.7% |
| Feb 2026 | 53% | 35.4% | 4.7% | 5.2% | 1.7% |
| Mar 2026 | 53.1% | 35.5% | 4.8% | 5.2% | 1.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 53.2% | 35.6% | 4.7% | 5.2% | 1.4% |
| May 2026 | 53.7% | 35.9% | 4.8% | 4.2% | 1.4% |
| Jun 2026 | 52.5% | 35.1% | 5.7% | 5% | 1.6% |
| Jul 2026 | 48.2% | 39.4% | 5.3% | 5.6% | 1.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 48.6% | 39.8% | 5.3% | 4.7% | 1.6% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
How has the Apache Kafka and Confluent comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Confluent was ahead of Apache Kafka in every measured month of the 11 months ending August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Apache Kafka’s estimated Share of Search among event streaming platforms worldwide moved from 38.9% to 39.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 60.5K to 40.5K.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Confluent’s estimated Share of Search among event streaming platforms worldwide moved from 47.6% to 48.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for event streaming platforms worldwide in August 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for Confluent worldwide fell 33.1% over 11 measured months, from 74K to 49.5K in August 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Apache Kafka worldwide fell 33.1% over 11 measured months, from 60.5K to 40.5K in August 2026.
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apache Kafka’s and Confluent’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 Kafka
1 branded search term
- apache kafka
Confluent
1 branded search term
- confluent
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.