Both Kafka and Kinesis support real-time event streaming, but they serve different needs:

• Apache Kafka:
  
  • Open-source and highly configurable.
  • Offers fine-grained control over replication, retention, and partitioning.
  • Preferred in high-throughput, complex data infrastructure environments.
    
    
• AWS Kinesis:
  
  • Fully managed and tightly integrated with the AWS ecosystem.
  • Easier to set up and operate.
    
  • Ideal for teams already invested in AWS and seeking quick deployment with minimal overhead.

Snowplow works seamlessly with both, depending on infrastructure preference and operational needs.