# Apache Kafka vs Stepifi

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

| | Apache Kafka | Stepifi |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 83/100 ✓ | 41/100 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 12 in Message Broker | #20 of 22 in 3D Printing |
| GitHub stars | 34 152 ✓ | 247 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +346 | — |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 0 | 2 ✓ |
| Latest release | — | v2.0.0 · 31 Dec 2025 |
| Setup | Advanced | Moderate ✓ |
| Official Docker image | Yes ✓ | No |
| License | Apache-2.0 | Other |
| Main language | Java | JavaScript |

## Which one should you pick?

Apache Kafka scores 83/100 against 41/100 for Stepifi, so it is the safer default.

Stepifi ships more often: 2 stable releases in the past year, against 0 for Apache Kafka.

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

Apache Kafka is growing faster right now (+346 stars in 30 days).

## Details

- [Apache Kafka](https://selfhost.directory/project/apache-kafka) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/apache-kafka.md)
- [Stepifi](https://selfhost.directory/project/stepifi) (markdown: https://selfhost.directory/project/stepifi.md)

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