Kafka is a dominant player in event streaming, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. In this talk, we’ll explore alternative messaging technologies—Aeron, Chronicle Queue, NATS and others —and compare their architectures, performance characteristics, and ideal use cases. We’ll dive into: • How each technology works under the hood (persistence, transport, backpressure handling, etc.) • Performance benchmarks and real-world use cases • Why low-latency trading, distributed systems, and microservices might benefit from alternatives • Trade-offs between durability, latency, and scalability By the end of this session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of when Kafka fits and when you should consider other solutions for optimal performance and efficiency.

Talk Level:
BEGINNER

Bio:
Stefan is a software architect with over 10 years of experience in the IT sector. Throughout the years, he has held various key positions, including Senior Java Developer, Software Architect, Lead Architect, and Engineering Manager. His extensive professional background spans both technical and leadership roles, enabling him to lead and implement complex technological solutions. Beyond his professional commitments, Stefan is the co-founder and instructor at the Hacker4e programming academy for children, where he helps young talents take their first steps in coding.