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Databases · head to head

NATS vs Apache Pulsar

NATS logo

NATS

Databases

High-performance messaging system for cloud-native applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apache Pulsar logo

Apache Pulsar

Databases

Cloud-native messaging and streaming with separated storage

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: NATS core NATS has no persistence at all, so messages are lost if no subscriber is listening; Apache Pulsar more components than Kafka: brokers, BookKeeper and ZooKeeper each need operating
  • They diverge on capability: NATS covers Very low latency, Apache Pulsar covers Separated storage.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which NATS and Apache Pulsar actually diverge.

Attributes where NATS and Apache Pulsar differ
AttributeNATSApache Pulsar
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, Docker, KubernetesLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (Open source, no licence fee), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Databases).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in NATS

  • Very low latency
  • JetStream
  • Single binary
  • Request-reply

Only in Apache Pulsar

  • Separated storage
  • Queuing and streaming
  • Built-in multi-tenancy
  • Geo-replication

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

NATS

  • Service-to-service messaging where latency is the binding constraintnot Apache Pulsar
  • Edge and IoT messaging where a lightweight broker mattersnot Apache Pulsar
  • Replacing a heavier broker when the workload does not need its guaranteesnot Apache Pulsar

Apache Pulsar

  • Platforms needing both work queues and replayable streams without running two systemsnot NATS
  • Multi-tenant messaging where isolation between teams is a requirementnot NATS
  • Deployments where storage and traffic grow at genuinely different ratesnot NATS

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

NATS

  • Core NATS has no persistence at all, so messages are lost if no subscriber is listening
  • JetStream adds the durability but also the operational complexity NATS is chosen to avoid
  • A much smaller ecosystem than Kafka or RabbitMQ, with fewer connectors and integrations
  • Fewer people know it, so hiring and existing organisational knowledge favour the alternatives

Apache Pulsar

  • More components than Kafka: brokers, BookKeeper and ZooKeeper each need operating
  • Correspondingly harder to run well, and the expertise is rarer than Kafka expertise
  • A much smaller ecosystem of connectors, tooling and hiring pool than Kafka
  • The architectural advantages only pay off at a scale most deployments never reach

Pricing, plan by plan

NATS

Free
  • NATSFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

Apache Pulsar

Free
  • Apache PulsarFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

Which should you pick?

Choose NATS if

  • You need very low latency.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes.
  • You also want jetstream.
NATS review

Choose Apache Pulsar if

  • You need separated storage.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want queuing and streaming.
Apache Pulsar review

Questions people ask

Is NATS or Apache Pulsar better?
Neither clearly leads. NATS starts at Free and Apache Pulsar at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, NATS or Apache Pulsar?
NATS starts at Free and Apache Pulsar at Free.
Does NATS or Apache Pulsar run on more platforms?
NATS runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, Docker, Kubernetes. Apache Pulsar runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use NATS for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is NATS best used for?
NATS is most often used for service-to-service messaging where latency is the binding constraint, edge and iot messaging where a lightweight broker matters, replacing a heavier broker when the workload does not need its guarantees. Of those, service-to-service messaging where latency is the binding constraint and edge and iot messaging where a lightweight broker matters are not what Apache Pulsar is typically brought in for.
What can NATS do that Apache Pulsar cannot?
NATS covers Very low latency, JetStream, Single binary, Request-reply. Apache Pulsar covers Separated storage, Queuing and streaming, Built-in multi-tenancy, Geo-replication.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

NATS: Is NATS free?

Yes, open source and CNCF-graduated. Synadia sells a managed service.

Apache Pulsar: Is Apache Pulsar free?

Yes, open source under the Apache Software Foundation.

NATS: Does NATS persist messages?

Core NATS does not — it is fire-and-forget. JetStream adds persistence, streaming and replay when you need them.

Apache Pulsar: Pulsar or Kafka?

Pulsar separates storage from compute and covers queuing and streaming in one system. Kafka has a far larger ecosystem and hiring pool. Most teams should have a specific reason before choosing Pulsar.

NATS: NATS or Kafka?

NATS is far lighter and lower latency, and much simpler to run. Kafka is the answer when you need a durable replayable log and a large connector ecosystem.

Apache Pulsar: Why does separated storage matter?

Brokers hold no data, so adding or replacing one requires no rebalancing, and storage can grow without adding serving capacity.

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