stackstash

Apache Kafka vs Postgres

Apache Kafka and Postgres are free.

Apache Kafka logo: A log that services publish events to, and other services read later.
Apache Kafka logo: A log that services publish events to, and other services read later.

Apache Kafka

Free

A log that services publish events to, and other services read later.

Try it

Pros of Apache Kafka

  • Producers do not wait on every downstream service

  • You can replay events after a bug

  • It holds up once you actually have a stream of events

Cons of Apache Kafka

  • Running a cluster is a lot for one app

  • A database is the simpler choice until you need a stream

Postgres logo: Open-source relational database. The usual pick when you want real SQL.
Postgres logo: Open-source relational database. The usual pick when you want real SQL.

Postgres

Free

Open-source relational database. The usual pick when you want real SQL.

Try it

Pros of Postgres

  • Reliable relational database

  • JSON without leaving SQL

  • Free to run yourself

Cons of Postgres

  • You manage backups and upgrades

  • Heavier than SQLite for a tiny app