Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud vs Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler comparison

The compared Confluent and Maidenhead Bridge solutions aren't in the same category. Confluent is ranked #12 in SA , with an average rating of 8.5, and holds a 0.5% mindshare in the category. Maidenhead Bridge is ranked #11 in IS , with an average rating of 8.7, and holds a 0.5% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Confluent users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Maidenhead Bridge users who would recommend it.

Apache Kafka on Confluent C...

Read 15 Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud reviews

1,403 Views
84 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cloud Security Connector fo...

Read 3 Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler reviews

1,151 Views
23 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Apache Kafka on Confluent C...

Cloud Security Connector fo...

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud and Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Streaming Analytics solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud vs. Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud vs. Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler

June 2025

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Helped 881,082 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Apache Kafka on Confluent C...

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Streaming Analytics (12th)

Cloud Security Connector fo...

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

8.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Internet Security (11th)

Mindshare comparison

Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud and Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler aren’t in the same category and serve different purposes. Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud is designed for Streaming Analytics and holds a mindshare of 0.5%.
Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler, on the other hand, focuses on Internet Security, holds 0.5% mindshare.

Streaming Analytics Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud	0.5%
Apache Flink	12.3%
Databricks	10.0%
Other	77.2%

Streaming Analytics

Internet Security Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler	0.5%
Cisco Umbrella	31.3%
Zscaler Internet Access	29.5%
Other	38.7%

Internet Security

Featured Reviews

Ashier Fernandes

Lead Software Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Has unified log streams from multiple systems and accelerated issue tracking through streamlined setup

I think Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud can be improved by probably working more around Confluent or the tool. In my opinion, it should utilize the response structures in a better way or be able to detect if there is any variable or if there is any data structure that is mismatched, as it would be easier than us manually having to put in the exact name in order for it to match the response. Regarding additional improvements, I would say probably around error handling, where when we encounter errors specific to our response structures and everything, or the tables or anything of that nature, it would be better if we were prompted with better error handling mechanisms. I do not think there are any other improvements Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud needs, aside from error handling and response structures.

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Jaspreet k

Head of Development at Flash.co

Addressed complex learning curve yet has improved automated routing and cloud security visibility

Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler offers multiple features, but the major feature I love specifically is automated Zscaler node detection, which helps detect any kind of problem first. Additionally, it is available all the time, providing high availability routing for seamless failover, which is one of my favorite features. It also provides Layer 4 routed bypass for TCP, UDP, and ICMP traffic, enabling granular traffic control that streamlines our services working with Zscaler. It has provided complete visibility of internal IPs on the Zscaler console, allowing us to monitor and troubleshoot whenever there is a problem, making things transparent and easy for us to monitor. The integration with SIEM or syslog enhances centralized log management for our organization.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Kafka and Confluent Cloud have proven to be cost-effective, especially when compared to other tools. In a recent BI integration program over the past year, we assessed multiple use cases spanning ship-to-shore and various Azure integrations. Our findings revealed that Confluent Kafka performed exceptionally well, standing out alongside Genesys and Azure Event Hubs. While these three are top contenders, the choice among other tools depends on the specific use case and project requirements. The customer initially used tools like SMQs, FITRA, and Stream for real-time data processing. However, after our recommendation, Confluent Cloud proved to be a superior choice, capable of replacing these three tools and simplifying their data infrastructure. This shift to a single tool, Confluent Cloud, streamlined their operations, making maintenance and management more efficient for their internal projects."

"Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud is more reliable and frequent to use compared to Apache Kafka."

"The benefits that I have seen from having a real-time architecture include better velocity for developers; instead of developing many of those capabilities in each team, we can rely on Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud to provide those functionalities we want, and the teams can focus on their own business instead of providing all sorts of APIs and dependencies to other domains, allowing everyone to run faster."

"Confluent Cloud handles data volume pretty well."

"It's very fast and helps us to create the project, guarantee the message delivery, and the performance."

"The product's installation phase is pretty straightforward for us since we know how to use it."

"Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud is critical infrastructure for us; without it, our infrastructure costs would increase significantly, potentially amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, and its real-time capabilities accelerate speed to value and enable new use cases, providing significant business value."

"The state-saving feature is very much appreciated. It allows me to rewind a certain process if I see an error and then reprocess it."

More Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud pros

"It is very useful ............visibility on the end-user,"

"Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler has positively impacted our organization by helping us in our cloud environment to connect our resources to Zscaler, ensuring that security policies are consistent with zero-trust access and increasing reliability by 28%."

"The solution is secure."

Cons

"There could be an in-built feature for data analysis."

"I thought Confluent would stop me when I crossed the credits, but it did not, and then I got charged."

"The clustering is a little hard for juniors and clients. It's suitable for senior engineers, but the configuration and clustering are very hard for juniors."

"The solution is expensive."

"The administration port could be more extensive."

"Regarding real-time data usage, there were challenges with CDC (Change Data Capture) integrations. Specifically, with PyTRAN, we encountered difficulties. We recommended using our on-premises Kaspersky as an alternative to PyTRAN for that specific use case due to issues with CDC store configuration and log reading challenges with the iton components."

"Maybe in terms of Apache Kafka's integration with other Microsoft tools, our company faced some challenges."

"There are some premium connectors, for example, available in Confluent, which you cannot access in the marketplace, so there are some limitations."

More Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud cons

"If there are any issues at the network level, such as users working from home, then it is very hard to catch up with them and resolve issues on the end-user machine."

"The connectivity could be faster."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I think the pricing is fair, but Confluent requires a little bit more thinking because the price can go up really quickly when it comes to premium connectors."

"Regarding pricing, Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud is not a cheap tool. The right use case would justify the cost. It might make sense if you have a high volume of data that you can leverage to generate value for the business. But if you don't have those requirements, there are likely cheaper solutions you could use instead."

"I consider that the product's price falls under the middle range category."

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Insurance Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	8

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud?

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What is your primary use case for Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud?

I have used Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud for one of my projects with regard to log monitoring. My main use case for Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud in that project was mainly streaming of the lo...

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What advice do you have for others considering Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud?

My advice to others looking into using Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud is that it is easier and has a low learning curve. If there is any use case regarding streaming, I would suggest starting off ...

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What do you like most about Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler?

The solution is secure.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler?

The experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler is definitely competitive. They provide us a good cost, and since we obtained it through AWS Marketpl...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler?

I feel that they are doing great with Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler. If I need to suggest an improvement, it would be to simplify the steep learning curve, as it can be complex for newcomers...

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud

January 2026

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Buyer's Guide

Internet Security

January 2026

Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler report

Download Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler product report

Overview

Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud provides real-time data streaming with seamless integration, enhanced scalability, and efficient data processing, recognized for its real-time architecture, ease of use, and reliable multi-cloud operations while effectively managing large data volumes.

Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud is designed to handle large-scale data operations across different cloud environments. It supports real-time data streaming, crucial for applications in transaction processing, change data capture, microservices, and enterprise data movement. Users benefit from features like schema registry and error handling, which ensure efficient and reliable operations. While the platform offers extensive connector support and reduced maintenance, there are areas requiring improvement, including better data analysis features, PyTRAN CDC integration, and cost-effective access to premium connectors. Migrating with Kubernetes and managing message states are areas for development as well. Despite these challenges, it remains a robust option for organizations seeking to distribute data effectively for analytics and real-time systems across industries like retail and finance.

What are the key features of Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud?

Seamless Integration: Connects with many data sources seamlessly.
Enhanced Scalability: Easily scales to manage increasing data loads.
Schema Registry: Maintains compatibility and evolution of schemas.
Offset Management: Tracks consumer progress efficiently.
Error Handling: Offers mechanisms to manage inaccuracies effectively.
Connector Support: Extensive connectors for diverse third-party tools.

What benefits should users seek in reviews?

Reliability: Consistent performance in multi-cloud environments.
Ease of Use: Simplified operations and maintenance.
Developer Efficiency: Streamlined features that save developers time.
Data Volume Handling: Capable of managing large-scale data streaming.

In industries like retail and finance, Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud is implemented to manage real-time location tracking, event-driven systems, and enterprise-level data distribution. It aids in operations that require robust data streaming, such as CDC, log processing, and analytics data distribution, providing a significant edge in data management and operational efficiency.

Confluent

After launching the CSC Mux 4 or 8 from the AWS Marketplace using the CloudFormation template provided, the CSC Mux 4 or 8 will automatically select the best ZEN nodes, do the GRE tunnels and create the Location on your Zscaler console.Simple to install and not further management is required.All Zscaler ZIA functionalities are available, providing complete visibility of all Internet traffic.In addition to this, the CSC provides high availability changing the default route to Zscaler when configured as High Availability pair, and an easy way to manage direct bypasses to trusted sites using your public IP.When deployed as HA Pair, you can duplicate your Web Traffic to 8 or 16 Gbps to Zscaler (ZIA).

Maidenhead Bridge

Buyer's Guide

Apache Kafka on Confluent Cloud vs. Cloud Security Connector for Zscaler

June 2025

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