Apache Kafka 4.0 Release: Default KRaft, Queues, Faster Rebalances
Apache Kafka® 4.0 is here, and it’s a big leap forward. This release removes Apache ZooKeeper™, making Kafka simpler to run and scale with KRaft mode as the default. It also introduces a faster, more reliable consumer group protocol and early access to queue-style messaging. With cleaner APIs, updated Java requirements, and new features across Streams and Connect, Kafka 4.0 is built for the future of data streaming.
Apache Kafka® 4.0 is here, and it’s a big leap forward. This release removes Apache ZooKeeper™, making Kafka simpler to run and scale with KRaft mode as the default. It also introduces a faster, more reliable consumer group protocol and early access to queue-style messaging. With cleaner APIs, updated Java requirements, and new features across Streams and Connect, Kafka 4.0 is built for the future of data streaming.