Aiven for Apache Kafka
7.9#1 in event streaming platformsFrom $35 a monthFree planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted
VisitAiven for Apache Kafka vs Apache RocketMQ
Apache RocketMQ
7.5#2 in event streaming platformsFree planFree planAPILinuxmacOSSelf-hosted
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| Fact | Aiven for Apache Kafka | Apache RocketMQ |
|---|---|---|
| Rating on G2 | 4.3 out of 5 from 384 reviews for Aiven overall; the page lists 245 Aiven for Apache Kafka reviews. | 4.5 out of 5 from 19 reviews |
| Security | Kafka connections can use mTLS and/or SASL authentication with ACL authorization, and data at rest is encrypted on disk or object storage. | RocketMQ provides ACL and TLS, but operators must configure ACL or restrict access to trusted networks; the security guide warns that ACL is not enabled by default. |
| Security controls | Aiven states that services use dedicated virtual machines, encryption in transit and at rest, firewalls, IP allowlists, SAML SSO, automated security updates and annual external testing. | Official security documentation describes ACL authentication and authorization plus TLS-encrypted client-server communication. |
Aiven for Apache Kafka plans
- FreeFree
- Developer$35 a month
- Professional$180 a month
Apache RocketMQ plans
- Apache RocketMQFree
- Apache RocketMQ open-source distributionFree
Pick Aiven for Apache Kafka if…
It suits teams that need managed Kafka for streaming workloads and want integrations such as Kafka Connect or a REST proxy. The Free plan may suit small-scale use within its throughput, retention, and topic limits.
Pick Apache RocketMQ if…
Apache RocketMQ suits developers and operators building asynchronous messaging between services, particularly when they need options such as transactional messages or FIFO ordering. It is for teams prepared to deploy and configure self-hosted middleware.