Aiven for Apache Kafka
7.9#1 in event streaming platformsFrom $35 a monthFree planWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted
VisitAiven for Apache Kafka vs Lightstreamer
Lightstreamer
7.1#6 in websocket toolsFree planFree planAndroidiOSWebAPI
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| Fact | Aiven for Apache Kafka | Lightstreamer |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Helsinki, Finland | Milan, Italy |
| Integrations | Kafka Connect compatibility and a REST proxy are listed, and the service connects with other managed databases and streaming services. | Ready-made connectors integrate with Kafka, MQTT, and JMS; named examples include Confluent Cloud, Amazon MSK, Redpanda, AWS IoT Core, IBM MQ, and ActiveMQ. |
| Product | Aiven for Kafka is a managed version of Apache Kafka that handles provisioning, patching, high availability, backups, and security. | Lightstreamer is an event broker for reliable real-time data delivery to web and mobile applications, handling proxies, firewalls, disconnections, and network congestion. |
| Security | Kafka connections can use mTLS and/or SASL authentication with ACL authorization, and data at rest is encrypted on disk or object storage. | The broker supports TLS with configurable cipher suites, client and server certificates, mutual authentication, and custom authentication and authorization through a Metadata Adapter. |
| Support | The plan comparison lists Basic support for Free and Developer plans and Advanced and Premium support for Professional. | Every license includes unlimited technical support tickets and unlimited upgrades; 24×7 support is available as an additional option. |
Aiven for Apache Kafka plans
- FreeFree
- Developer$35 a month
- Professional$180 a month
Lightstreamer plans
- Demo LicenseFree
- Annual subscription — Per Client License—
- Annual subscription — Per Server License—
- PAYG — Per Client-Hour License—
- PAYG — Per Core-Hour License—
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 Lightstreamer if…
Lightstreamer suits teams building business-critical real-time applications in areas such as finance, gaming, aerospace, logistics, or media. It offers deployment options for on-premises and cloud environments.