Comparison: Apache Camel vs. Apache Kafka?

Should I use Apache Camel or Apache Kafka for my next integration project? The question is very valid and comes up regularly. This blog post explores both open-source frameworks and explains the difference between application integration and event streaming. The comparison discusses when to use Kafka or Camel, when to combine them, when not to use them at all. A decision tree shows how you can quickly qualify out one for the other.

(Originally posted on Kai Waehner’s blog: “Apache Camel vs. Apache Kafka Comparison”… Stay informed about new blog posts by subscribing to my newsletter)

The history of application integration and event streaming

My personal history and experience in application integration and event streaming are the following. It shows my background and how I see the integration and data streaming markets.

A discussion that started over a decade ago…

With my background of work in the last decade at Talend, TIBCO, and Confluent, the comparison between Camel and Kafka is very exciting as I have spent a lot of time with both open-source frameworks:

Apache Camel powered Talend ESB. Talend had a visual coding tool to design Camel routes with code generation…