Source-backed version compatibility
Apache Kafka Java Client version compatibility. Apache Kafka 4.4 supports Java 11 for clients, Streams, and related modules in addition to the fully supported Java versions.
Quick answer
Supported and tested versions have compatibility evidence. Recommended and bundled versions describe upstream choices without establishing compatibility. Versions outside the documented coverage are unknown, not necessarily incompatible.
Supported Java Client versions
Apache Kafka 4.4 supports Java 11 for clients, Streams, and related modules in addition to the fully supported Java versions.
This entry does not imply Java 11 support for brokers, Connect, or command-line tools.
high confidence · verified 2026-10-31 · clients, Streams, and related modules runtime
Supported Java Client versions
Apache Kafka 4.3 supports Java 11 for clients, Streams, and related modules in addition to the fully supported Java versions.
This entry does not imply Java 11 support for brokers, Connect, or command-line tools.
high confidence · verified 2026-10-31 · clients, Streams, and related modules runtime
Supported Java Client versions
Apache Kafka 4.2 supports Java 11 for clients, Streams, and related modules in addition to the fully supported Java versions.
This entry does not imply Java 11 support for brokers, Connect, or command-line tools.
high confidence · verified 2026-10-31 · clients, Streams, and related modules runtime
Primary evidence
Every constraint above is backed by upstream documentation, tagged source, release notes, or another project-owned primary source.
compatibility.fyi