3-year cost calculator
Pre-filled for Apache Kafka → IBM MQ. Adjust every figure with your own numbers.
Every figure here is an illustrative estimate, not a vendor quote. Defaults are editable starting points compiled from public information; real, binding pricing comes from the vendor or an authorized distributor. See our methodology.
All figures are illustrative and fully editable — adjust the cost-per-core and migration inputs with your own numbers. Not guaranteed vendor pricing (defaults reviewed May 2026). For a binding quote, use the request form below to reach an authorized distributor or partner.
Quick comparison: Apache Kafka vs IBM MQ
Common trade-offs teams weigh when staying on Apache Kafka versus moving to IBM MQ. These are general, commonly-reported considerations — not statements of fact about any vendor — so check them against your own contract and the vendors' current terms.
- Already in production — no migration effort or risk
- Established and already integrated in your stack
- Re-evaluating cost, support, or strategic fit
- Commercial option with vendor support and SLAs
- Cost model: Per-core + support
- Requires a migration (~15 weeks, medium effort)
- Per-core + support cost
Why teams evaluate alternatives to Apache Kafka
Reasons commonly cited by users and in public industry coverage for re-evaluating Apache Kafka. These are general, reported considerations — not statements of fact about Apache — and may not reflect your situation or the vendor's current terms. Verify against your own contract before deciding.
- Re-evaluating cost, support terms, or strategic fit.
The migration plan
Roughly 15 weeks for a mid-size estate, in six phases.
Tooling & automation
Stand up the open broker, model queues/topics on the new system, bridge during transition, repoint producers/consumers, validate delivery semantics, and cut over after backlogs drain.
OffVendor's wizard pre-fills these scripts with your environment — inventory export, disk/schema conversion, bulk provisioning, and validation.
Frequently asked
Is migrating from Apache Kafka to IBM MQ worth it?
For most teams facing rising Apache Kafka costs, yes — IBM MQ (per-core + support) typically lowers 3-year total cost of ownership, though the right answer depends on workload complexity and in-house skills. Use the calculator to model your own numbers.
How long does a Apache Kafka to IBM MQ migration take?
A typical mid-size estimate is around 15 weeks across six phases — discovery, design, pilot, waved production migration, validation, and decommission. Larger or more complex estates take longer.
What tools are used to migrate from Apache Kafka to IBM MQ?
Stand up the open broker, model queues/topics on the new system, bridge during transition, repoint producers/consumers, validate delivery semantics, and cut over after backlogs drain.