Streamkap vs Debezium: Managed CDC vs Self-Hosted Open Source

Streamkap offers a managed service built on Debezium, the highly regarded open-source platform for Change Data Capture (CDC) that is used by major enterprises such as Netflix and Uber. This service simplifies the deployment and operational complexities associated with running Debezium, which typically involves setting up and managing various components like Kafka, ZooKeeper, and Schema Registry. While self-hosting Debezium provides full control and customization, it requires significant expertise and ongoing operational efforts, with costs ranging from $3,500 to $7,100 per month. In contrast, Streamkap packages Debezium with managed Kafka and Flink, offering features like automatic scaling, built-in monitoring, and zero-downtime upgrades, at a cost starting from $600 per month. Streamkap is ideal for teams prioritizing fast time-to-production and reduced infrastructure management, while self-hosted Debezium suits those needing complete control or operating under specific compliance requirements. Both approaches leverage the same robust Debezium technology but differ in their operational models and total cost of ownership.