FastPubSub

Real-time messaging over measured low-latency paths

When FastPubSub is a better fit than Kafka, NATS, or RabbitMQ

FastPubSub is not a queue or a durable log. It is a low-latency message delivery fabric for live events.

FastPubSub is a managed service broker you consume. Kafka, NATS, and RabbitMQ are software systems you typically deploy, configure, and operate yourself.

Self-hosted software Kafka / NATS / RabbitMQ Your servers, cluster, storage, ops You run it in every region you need Focus: durable processing vs Managed service broker FastPubSub global broker Connect via WebSocket, start publishing Global by default, single-region optional Focus: live low-latency delivery

Which software broker fits which job

Use Kafka when

You need durable logs, replay, retention, and stream processing with historical data.

Use RabbitMQ when

You need queue semantics for work distribution, acknowledgments, and brokered task processing.

Use NATS when

You need lightweight broker messaging, request/reply patterns, and internal service transport.

Use FastPubSub when

You want ready-to-use messaging infrastructure, not broker software to deploy and operate. FastPubSub gives you a global overlay network built for minimal latency.

Ready-made infrastructure, not software

FastPubSub is a managed service you consume. You do not install clusters, storage, or regional deployments for messaging yourself — just connect via WebSocket and start publishing.

Global overlay network for minimal latency

A planet-wide overlay mesh routes messages over measured low-latency paths and around BGP detours and congested interconnects, for live delivery that stays fast when direct Internet paths are not.

Why FastPubSub is positioned differently

Service, not software

You consume FastPubSub as a managed broker. You do not run clusters, storage, or regional deployments for messaging yourself.

Measured path routing

FastPubSub routes around BGP detours and congested interconnects over a QUIC overlay mesh when direct Internet paths are slow.

Live delivery, not storage

No durable log, no replay, no consumer groups. Just fast live transport for real-time messages.

Side-by-side comparison

Capability
Kafka
NATS
RabbitMQ
FastPubSub
Persistence
Strong
Optional (JetStream)
Queue persistence options
No
Replay
Yes
With storage mode
Limited queue semantics
No
Consumer groups
Yes
Subject/stream patterns
Worker consumers
No
Ordering guarantees
Partition-based
Depends on mode
Queue/order semantics
No global channel ordering
Network path optimization
No
No
No
Measured low-latency routes
Cross-region live fan-out
Possible with architecture work
Possible with architecture work
Possible with architecture work
Primary design goal
WebSocket client edge
External components needed
External components needed
External components needed
Built-in edge integration
Best for
Durable event streaming
Lightweight service messaging
Task and queue workflows
Live low-latency message transport
Delivery model
Software platform
Software platform
Software platform
Managed service broker
Geographic scope
Depends on your deployment
Depends on your deployment
Depends on your deployment
Global by default, single-region optional

Related solutions

Choose the right tool for the right job

Use durable brokers for storage and replay. Use FastPubSub for live transport over better paths.