If you’re running Apache Kafka in production, you’ve probably wondered: “How long will my current version be supported?” With Kafka 4.0’s recent release removing ZooKeeper entirely, understanding version lifecycle management has become more critical than ever.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Apache Kafka’s version support policies and EOL schedules.
1. What is Apache Kafka?
Apache Kafka is a distributed event streaming platform originally developed at LinkedIn and open-sourced under the Apache Software Foundation in 2011.
Key Features
- High Throughput: Capable of processing millions of messages per second
- Scalability: Horizontal scaling for unlimited data processing
- Fault Tolerance: Reliable operations through data replication
- Real-time Processing: Low latency in milliseconds
From financial institutions processing real-time transactions to Netflix analyzing streaming data and Uber tracking real-time locations, companies worldwide rely on Kafka for their data pipelines.
2. Understanding Kafka’s Support Policy
Apache Kafka’s support policy differs from typical open-source projects. While there’s no formally documented EOL policy, the community follows implicit guidelines.
Community Support Guidelines
- Approximately 3 minor releases per year (every 4 months)
- Bug fixes provided for the latest 3 releases
- Support window of approximately 12-16 months per version
- Oldest version automatically reaches EOL when a new version is released
Currently Supported Versions (as of November 2025)
Community-supported versions are 4.1.0, 4.0.1, 3.9.1, 3.8.1, 3.7.2. All other versions have reached EOL, meaning no security patches or bug fixes are provided.
Reference: End of Life Date – Apache Kafka
3. Complete Apache Kafka Version Release History and Support Status
4.x Series (Latest – ZooKeeper Removed)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1.0 | September 2, 2025 | ✅ Supported | Queues feature (Preview), New Streams Rebalance Protocol (Early Access), Eligible Leader Replicas (ELR) |
| 4.0.1 | October 10, 2025 | ✅ Supported | 49 issues fixed |
| 4.0.0 | March 18, 2025 | ⚠️ Upgrade to 4.0.1 recommended | Complete ZooKeeper removal, KRaft default mode, Java 17 required (Broker/Tools), Java 11 required (Clients/Streams), Log4j2 migration, Message format v0/v1 removed |
3.9.x Series (Bridge to 4.0)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.9.1 | May 19, 2025 | ✅ Supported | 66 issues fixed, stability improvements |
| 3.9.0 | November 6, 2024 | ⚠️ Upgrade to 3.9.1 recommended | KRaft improvements, Next-gen Consumer Rebalance Protocol (Preview), Dynamic KRaft Quorums support |
3.8.x Series
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8.1 | October 29, 2024 | ✅ Supported | Bug fixes and performance improvements |
| 3.8.0 | July 26, 2024 | ⚠️ Upgrade to 3.8.1 recommended | Compression level configuration (lz4, zstd, gzip), Log4j Appender deprecated |
3.7.x Series (KRaft Production Ready)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7.2 | December 13, 2024 | ✅ Supported | Latest bug fixes |
| 3.7.1 | June 28, 2024 | ⚠️ Upgrade to 3.7.2 recommended | Bug fixes, Java 11 deprecated |
| 3.7.0 | February 26, 2024 | ⚠️ Upgrade to 3.7.2 recommended | ZooKeeper → KRaft migration production ready, JBOD support, Leader discovery optimization |
3.6.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6.2 | April 4, 2024 | ❌ EOL | 28 issues fixed |
| 3.6.1 | December 5, 2023 | ❌ EOL | 30 issues fixed |
| 3.6.0 | October 4, 2023 | ❌ EOL | ZooKeeper → KRaft migration Early Access |
3.5.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5.2 | December 8, 2023 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 3.5.1 | July 21, 2023 | ❌ EOL | Security patches, Rack-aware partition assignment |
| 3.5.0 | June 13, 2023 | ❌ EOL | Performance improvements |
3.4.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.4.1 | June 6, 2023 | ❌ EOL | 58 issues fixed |
| 3.4.0 | February 6, 2023 | ❌ EOL | Fetch from closest replica stability improvements |
3.3.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3.2 | February 2, 2023 | ❌ EOL | 20 issues fixed |
| 3.3.1 | October 2, 2022 | ❌ EOL | KRaft production ready |
| 3.3.0 | September 28, 2022 | ⛔ Not available | Immediately replaced by 3.3.1 due to bugs |
3.2.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2.3 | September 13, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Emergency fix for 3.2.2 |
| 3.2.2 | September 2, 2022 | ⛔ Do not use | Known bugs, use 3.2.3 instead |
| 3.2.1 | July 21, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 3.2.0 | May 3, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Apple Silicon (M1/M2) support |
3.1.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1.2 | September 2, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 3.1.1 | April 8, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 3.1.0 | January 12, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Topic IDs introduction |
3.0.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0.2 | September 2, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 3.0.1 | March 3, 2022 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 3.0.0 | September 8, 2021 | ❌ EOL | KRaft Early Access, Message format v0/v1 deprecated, Java 8 support |
2.8.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.8.2 | – | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.8.1 | May 10, 2021 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.8.0 | April 19, 2021 | ❌ EOL | ZooKeeper replacement Early Access (KRaft experimental) |
2.7.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7.2 | – | ❌ EOL | 26 issues fixed |
| 2.7.1 | – | ❌ EOL | 45 issues fixed |
| 2.7.0 | December 21, 2020 | ❌ EOL | TCP connection timeout configuration, Topic/Partition creation throttling, MirrorMaker 2.0 improvements |
2.6.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.6.3 | – | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.6.2 | January 21, 2021 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.6.1 | November 17, 2020 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.6.0 | August 3, 2020 | ❌ EOL | Performance improvements |
2.5.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5.1 | August 11, 2020 | ❌ EOL | ZooKeeper TLS support, Admin Client TLS support |
| 2.5.0 | April 15, 2020 | ❌ EOL | New features |
2.4.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4.1 | March 12, 2020 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.4.0 | December 16, 2019 | ❌ EOL | Consumer Incremental Rebalance Protocol |
2.3.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3.1 | October 24, 2019 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.3.0 | June 25, 2019 | ❌ EOL | Kafka Streams improvements |
2.2.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2.2 | January 22, 2020 | ❌ EOL | Security fixes |
| 2.2.1 | June 2, 2019 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.2.0 | March 22, 2019 | ❌ EOL | Admin Client improvements |
2.1.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1.1 | February 15, 2019 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.1.0 | November 20, 2018 | ❌ EOL | ZStandard compression support, Java 11 support |
2.0.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0.1 | November 7, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 2.0.0 | July 30, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Major Kafka Streams improvements, Scala 2.12 default |
1.1.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 | July 19, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 1.1.0 | March 28, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Kafka Streams improvements |
1.0.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0.2 | July 7, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 1.0.1 | March 5, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 1.0.0 | November 1, 2017 | ❌ EOL | Exactly-Once Semantics (EOS) support |
0.11.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.11.0.3 | July 2, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 0.11.0.2 | February 14, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 0.11.0.1 | September 7, 2017 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 0.11.0.0 | June 28, 2017 | ❌ EOL | Exactly-Once Semantics introduction, Idempotent Producer |
0.10.2.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10.2.2 | May 30, 2018 | ❌ EOL | Security fixes |
| 0.10.2.1 | April 3, 2017 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 0.10.2.0 | February 21, 2017 | ❌ EOL | Kafka Connect improvements |
0.10.1.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10.1.1 | December 19, 2016 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 0.10.1.0 | October 21, 2016 | ❌ EOL | Rack Awareness, Time-based Release Plan begins |
0.10.0.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.10.0.1 | August 22, 2016 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 0.10.0.0 | May 23, 2016 | ❌ EOL | Kafka Streams introduction |
0.9.0.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9.0.1 | February 19, 2016 | ❌ EOL | Bug fixes |
| 0.9.0.0 | November 24, 2015 | ❌ EOL | New Consumer API, Security support |
0.8.2.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8.2.2 | October 1, 2015 | ❌ EOL |
| 0.8.2.1 | March 4, 2015 | ❌ EOL |
| 0.8.2.0 | February 2, 2015 | ❌ EOL |
0.8.1.x Series (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8.1.1 | May 8, 2014 | ❌ EOL |
| 0.8.1.0 | March 19, 2014 | ❌ EOL |
Early Versions (EOL)
| Version | Release Date | Support Status |
|---|---|---|
| 0.8.0 | November 2013 | ❌ EOL |
| 0.7.2 | 2012 | ❌ EOL |
References
- Apache Kafka Downloads & Release Notes
- Apache Kafka Archive
- Kinetic Edge – Kafka Version History
- Apache Kafka Release Plans
4. Confluent Platform Commercial Support
Unlike the open-source Apache Kafka, Confluent Platform offers extended support up to 3 years through commercial licensing.
Confluent Platform Support Policy
| Support Tier | Support Period | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 years | Security patches and bug fixes for 2 years from minor version release date |
| Platinum | 3 years | Standard support + 1 year extension |
For example, Confluent Platform 7.4.x released on May 3, 2023, receives Standard support until May 3, 2025, and Platinum support until May 3, 2026.
Benefits of Confluent Platform
- Continuous security patches
- Enterprise-grade technical support
- Commercial connectors and additional features
- SLA (Service Level Agreement) guarantees
Reference: Confluent Platform Versions and Interoperability
5. Planning Your Kafka Upgrade
Upgrading to Kafka 4.0 or Later
Kafka 4.0 is the first major version to completely remove ZooKeeper. Careful planning is essential.
Recommended Upgrade Path
[Currently on 2.x]
↓
Upgrade to 3.4.x
↓
Upgrade ZooKeeper to 3.8
↓
Upgrade to 3.9.x
↓
Perform KRaft migration
↓
Upgrade to 4.0.x
Pre-Upgrade Checklist
| Item | Requirement | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Java Version | Java 17 (Broker/Tools)<br>Java 11 (Clients/Streams) | Java version requirements increased from 4.0 |
| KRaft Migration | Complete on 3.7 or later | Production migration supported from this version |
| Client Compatibility | 2.1 or later | Older clients not compatible |
| Message Format | v2 or later | v0, v1 formats completely removed in 4.0 |
| Log4j | Migrate to Log4j2 | Log4j configuration file migration required |
Reference: Exploring Kafka 4: Upgrade Considerations
Upgrading Between 3.x Versions
Upgrading between 3.x versions is relatively safe, but verify the following:
- Rolling Upgrade Support: Supported between releases within the past year
- ZooKeeper Version: Recommended to upgrade from 3.5+ to 3.8
- Scala Version: 2.13 is the recommended version
- Testing Environment: Always validate in staging first
6. Version Management Best Practices
Regular Review and Planning
Quarterly Checklist
- Check EOL schedule for current version
- Review release notes for new versions
- Determine upgrade necessity
Upgrade Timing
- Begin upgrade planning 6 months before EOL
- Start testing environment validation 3 months prior
- Finalize production upgrade schedule 1 month before
Version Selection Guide
| Use Case | Recommended Version | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| New Projects | 4.1.0 | Latest features + stability |
| Production | 3.9.1 or 4.0.1 | Use latest patch versions |
| Legacy Migration | 3.9.1 | Bridge to 4.0 |
| Stability Focus | Latest patch version | Critical bug fixes included |
Monitoring Essentials
Version Check Commands
# Check Kafka version
${KAFKA_HOME}/bin/kafka-topics.sh --version
# Or
${KAFKA_HOME}/bin/kafka-broker-api-versions.sh \
--bootstrap-server localhost:9092
ZooKeeper Usage Check (pre-4.0)
# Test ZooKeeper connection
${KAFKA_HOME}/bin/zookeeper-shell.sh localhost:2181
# Check ZooKeeper nodes
ls /brokers/ids
KRaft Mode Check (3.3+)
# Check cluster metadata
${KAFKA_HOME}/bin/kafka-metadata.sh \
--snapshot /tmp/kraft-combined-logs/__cluster_metadata-0/00000000000000000000.log \
--print
7. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I continue using an EOL version?
A: You’ll miss security patches and bug fixes, exposing your system to vulnerabilities. This is particularly critical for financial services or applications handling personal data, where compliance issues may arise. Upgrade to a supported version as soon as possible.
Q: Can I upgrade directly to 4.0?
A: Only if you’re on 3.7 or later and have completed KRaft migration. Otherwise, upgrade to 3.9 first, complete KRaft migration, then move to 4.0. If you’re still using ZooKeeper, you must complete KRaft migration before upgrading to 4.0.
Q: What versions do AWS MSK and Confluent Cloud support?
A: Managed services follow their own upgrade policies. AWS MSK currently supports 4.1, 4.0, 3.9, 3.8, and offers automatic upgrade options. Confluent Cloud supports the latest versions and provides zero-downtime rolling upgrades.
Q: Should I choose community version or Confluent Platform?
A: If you can upgrade frequently and have infrastructure management capabilities, the community version works well. However, if you need long-term support or enterprise features (Schema Registry, KSQL, Control Center), consider Confluent Platform. The 3-year support and technical assistance reduce operational burden.
Q: Why can’t I download version 3.3.0?
A: Version 3.3.0 had critical bugs discovered immediately after release, leading to an instant 3.3.1 release. Therefore, 3.3.0 is not officially available for download. If you need 3.3.x series, use 3.3.1 or later.
Q: Java version upgrades seem challenging. Any advice?
A: Java version requirements keep increasing. Take a phased approach:
- Test Java version upgrade in staging environment
- Upgrade client applications first
- Finally upgrade Kafka brokers
Long-term, maintaining current Java versions benefits security and performance.
Conclusion
Apache Kafka’s rapid release cycle (3 times per year) provides quick access to new features and performance improvements, but also requires attention to version management.
The removal of ZooKeeper in Kafka 4.0 represents a fundamental infrastructure change, requiring adequate preparation time and phased implementation. However, this change will significantly simplify Kafka cluster management in the long run.
Check if your current version is within its support period, and if EOL is approaching, start planning your upgrade now. Proper version management is essential for data pipeline stability and security.
If you encounter challenges during upgrades, make full use of official documentation and community resources. The Kafka community is highly active and can provide substantial assistance.
Official Documentation and References
- Apache Kafka Official Website
- Apache Kafka Downloads & Release Notes
- Apache Kafka Documentation
- End of Life Date – Apache Kafka
- Kinetic Edge – Kafka Version History
- Apache Kafka Release Plans
- Confluent Platform Documentation
- AWS MSK Supported Versions
- Kafka 4.0 Release Blog