# Apache Kafka vs WBO

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

| | Apache Kafka | WBO |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 83/100 ✓ | 61/100 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 12 in Message Broker | #2 of 9 in Whiteboarding |
| GitHub stars | 34 154 ✓ | 2 675 |
| Stars, last 30 days | +348 ✓ | +17 |
| Stable releases, 12 months | 0 | 4 ✓ |
| Latest release | — | v2.18.26 · 28 Oct 2026 |
| Setup | Advanced | Easy ✓ |
| Official Docker image | Yes | Yes |
| License | Apache-2.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Main language | Java | JavaScript |

## Which one should you pick?

Apache Kafka scores 83/100 against 61/100 for WBO, so it is the safer default.

WBO ships more often: 4 stable releases in the past year, against 0 for Apache Kafka.

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

Apache Kafka is growing faster right now (+348 stars in 30 days).

## Details

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

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