# Apache Kafka vs Snipe-IT

> Two self-hosted projects, compared on the numbers selfhost.directory tracks live: score, popularity, release cadence and setup effort.

| | Apache Kafka | Snipe-IT |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 83/100 ✓ | 77/100 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 12 in Message Broker | #1 of 15 in Asset Management |
| GitHub stars | 34 154 ✓ | 15 115 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +329 ✓ | +141 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 0 | 17 ✓ |
| Latest release | — | v8.8.3 · 22 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | Advanced | Moderate ✓ |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Main language | Java | PHP |

## Which one should you pick?

Apache Kafka scores 83/100 against 77/100 for Snipe-IT, so it is the safer default.

Snipe-IT ships more often: 17 stable releases in the past year, against 0 for Apache Kafka.

If you want the quickest setup, Snipe-IT is easier to run; Apache Kafka needs more configuration.

Apache Kafka is growing faster right now (+329 stars in 30 days).

## Details

- [Apache Kafka](https://selfhost.directory/project/apache-kafka) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/apache-kafka.md)
- [Snipe-IT](https://selfhost.directory/project/snipe-it) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/snipe-it.md)

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Source: https://selfhost.directory/compare/apache-kafka-vs-snipe-it