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Head-to-head · Stream Processing Software

Kafka Streams vs Hazelcast Platform

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Kafka Streams #5 in Stream Processing Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Kafka Streams
Hazelcast Platform #10 in Stream Processing Software 8.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit Hazelcast

Kafka Streams leads on 0 checks, Hazelcast Platform on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreKafka Streams · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresHazelcast Platform · 3 of 3

Kafka Streams scores higher on our rubric for stream processing software: 8.9 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #10.

On deployment model, Hazelcast Platform gives you Hybrid where Kafka Streams offers Self-hosted. Hazelcast Platform offers sql processing; Kafka Streams doesn't.

Kafka Streams is the better fit for kafka-native Java and Scala applications. Hazelcast Platform is the better fit for teams needing streaming plus distributed state.

  • Kafka Streams fits best

    Kafka-native Java and Scala applications

  • Hazelcast Platform fits best

    Teams needing streaming plus distributed state

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Kafka Streams 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Hazelcast Platform 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.3
Ranking #5 in Stream Processing Software #10 in Stream Processing Software
Best for Kafka-native Java and Scala applications Teams needing streaming plus distributed state
Pricing model Free Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Kafka Streams 2/3 · Hazelcast Platform 3/3
SQL processing — ✓ (best)
Stateful processing ✓ ✓
Event-time windows ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Self-hosted Hybrid
Supported languages Java, Scala Java, SQL
Source connectors Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Stateful transformations, aggregations, joins, and four window types
  • Exactly-once processing semantics for Kafka-based applications
  • Runs self-hosted or in cloud environments without a separate processing cluster
  • Stream processing with SQL windows, joins, and stateful aggregations
  • Distributed in-memory storage supports real-time application architectures
  • Broad connectors and exactly-once or at-least-once guarantees
Cons
  • Core integration scope is centered on Apache Kafka
  • No SQL support for stream-processing workflows
  • Support is limited to community channels and documentation
  • Enterprise Edition pricing requires contacting Hazelcast
  • Supported programming languages are Java and SQL
  • The platform may exceed the needs of teams seeking narrow stream processing
Our verdict

Kafka Streams is an open-source client library for building real-time applications and microservices whose input and output data are stored in Apache Kafka clusters. It is designed for developers and teams creating event-driven services,…

Read the review →

Hazelcast Platform combines a distributed stream-processing engine with an in-memory data store for real-time applications. It is aimed at teams that need streaming and distributed state in one self-managed platform, with support for…

Read the review →
  1. Kafka StreamsStream Processing Software 8.9Free plan
  2. Hazelcast PlatformStream Processing Software 8.3Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Kafka Streams — where it wins

    • Stateful transformations, aggregations, joins, and four window types
    • Exactly-once processing semantics for Kafka-based applications
    • Runs self-hosted or in cloud environments without a separate processing cluster

    Where it doesn't

    • Core integration scope is centered on Apache Kafka
    • No SQL support for stream-processing workflows
    • Support is limited to community channels and documentation

  • Hazelcast Platform — where it wins

    • Stream processing with SQL windows, joins, and stateful aggregations
    • Distributed in-memory storage supports real-time application architectures
    • Broad connectors and exactly-once or at-least-once guarantees

    Where it doesn't

    • Enterprise Edition pricing requires contacting Hazelcast
    • Supported programming languages are Java and SQL
    • The platform may exceed the needs of teams seeking narrow stream processing

More comparisons

All stream processing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update