compare
Redpanda vs Apache RocketMQ
The same facts for both, read from GitHub every night, and the relation a person reviewed.
| Fact | Redpanda | Apache RocketMQ |
|---|---|---|
| Language | C++ | Java |
| Licence | None detected | Apache-2.0 |
| Stars | 13k | 23k |
| Latest | v26.2.2 | rocketmq-all-5.5.1 |
| Last push | 2026-08-22 | 2026-10-03 |
| Release cadence | about 1 day between releases | about 119 days between releases |
| Active contributors | 30+ commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days | 21 commit authors on the default branch in the last 90 days |
| Flags | No licence detected | none |
How they relate
Both replace Apache Kafka. Alternatives to Apache Kafka →
Drop-inRedpandaKafka API compatible, without ZooKeeper or a JVM.
Full replacementApache RocketMQStreaming and messaging with transactional and delayed messages, through its own protocol and clients.
Redpanda
- v26.2.22026-08-22rpk sql debug bundle collects a diagnostic bundle from an Oxla (SQL) cluster. by @Bixkog in #31078 by @tyson-redpanda i…
- v25.3.172026-08-20adds the cloud_storage_prefetch_segments_max cluster config which can be used to enable small segment prefetching in cl…
- v26.1.172026-08-20Fixed an issue where audit-log initialization unconditionally sent a CreateTopics request to the controller leader, cau…
- v26.1.162026-08-13IMPORTANT: Do not install the 26.1.16 release. A critical bug was identified that has broad implications that can creat…
- v25.3.162026-08-13IMPORTANT: Do not install the 25.13.16 release. A critical bug was identified that has broad implications that can crea…
Apache RocketMQ
- rocketmq-all-5.5.12026-08-20This maintenance release removes fastjson 1.x from the distribution (fastjson2 upgraded to 2.0.63 and DLedger bumped to…
- rocketmq-all-5.5.02026-04-10This version introduces Lite Mode, a lightweight subscription mechanism designed for AI scenarios, alongside enhancemen…
- rocketmq-all-5.4.02025-12-24This version introduces two new features and a few minor fixes.
- rocketmq-all-5.3.42025-11-27This is a bug-fix release that includes numerous improvements to enhance stability, performance, and correctness. Key h…
- rocketmq-all-5.3.32025-05-07This version no longer supports "ACL 1.0" related features, please use "ACL 2.0".
Redpanda
✓ signed The latest release, v26.2.2, carries a signature GitHub verified.
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Apache RocketMQ
✓ signed The latest release, rocketmq-all-5.5.1, carries a signature GitHub verified.
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