Conduit — Conduit streams data between data stores, replacing Kafka Connect without needing a JVM.
Analyzed by Sai Pavan Gopularam · Data · Streaming · View on GitHub
- Stars: 617
- Forks: 67
- Commits last 30 days: 100
- Health: Active (100 commits this month)
- Language: Go
- License: Apache-2.0
What It Is
Imagine you have data stuck in one place, like a database, and you need it to flow seamlessly to another, like a data warehouse or a real-time dashboard. Conduit acts like a super-efficient, customizable plumbing system for your data, moving it reliably from source to destination.
Traditional data integration tools can be complex, resource-heavy, or struggle with real-time demands. Conduit solves this by offering a lightweight, high-performance alternative to systems like Kafka Connect, built in Go, ensuring data consistency and order without the overhead of a JVM.
License Verdict
Apache 2.0 License — Build and Sell Freely — Commercial Use Approved • Permissive Open Source
The Apache 2.0 license is highly permissive. You can use, modify, and distribute this software for any purpose, including commercial applications, without needing to open source your own code. You must include the original copyright and license notice.
How to Use It
Conduit provides multiple installation methods, including a quick `curl | bash` script, Homebrew, direct binary download, and Docker. The fastest way to see it in action is with the `conduit quickstart` command, which spins up a demo pipeline with in-memory state.
Prerequisites:
- Go 1.26+
- Make
- Docker
Estimated setup time: 5 minutes.
curl https://conduitdata.io/install.sh | bash
conduit quickstart
# Or using Docker:
docker run -p 8080:8080 conduit.docker.scarf.sh/conduitio/conduit:latestWhat I'd Build With This
No-Code Data Pipeline Builder (micro-saas)
Build a simplified web interface on top of Conduit that allows small businesses or non-technical users to set up basic data pipelines (e.g., database to S3, or CRM to analytics tool) using a drag-and-drop or wizard-based approach. Users select sources and destinations, apply basic transformations, and monitor data flow. You handle the Conduit deployment and management.
Effort: 2 Weeks Build Time · Target: Small Businesses, Marketing Agencies, Data Analysts · Pricing: $99/mo
Real-time Data Fabric for SMBs (saas)
Offer Conduit as a managed service, providing a robust, scalable platform for real-time data integration. Focus on specific verticals like e-commerce (syncing orders, inventory, customer data across platforms) or IoT (ingesting sensor data for real-time dashboards). Provide advanced monitoring, error handling, and pre-built connectors for popular business applications. Users pay for data volume or number of pipelines.
Effort: 3 Months Build Time · Target: E-commerce Platforms, IoT Startups, Mid-Market Enterprises · Pricing: $499/mo - $2,000/mo
On-Premise Data Mesh Solution (enterprise)
Develop a hardened, enterprise-grade distribution of Conduit with advanced security features, LDAP/SSO integration, comprehensive audit logging, and dedicated support. Target large corporations with strict data governance requirements who need to build an internal data mesh or integrate legacy systems with modern data platforms. Offer custom connector development and professional services.
Effort: 6 Months Build Time · Target: Financial Institutions, Healthcare Providers, Large Retailers · Pricing: $50,000+/year
Sai Pavan Gopularam's Take
Conduit looks like a solid alternative to Kafka Connect, especially for Go shops trying to ditch the JVM overhead. The focus on performance and consistency is a big plus. You could easily build a managed data integration platform on top of this, charging companies $500-$2000/month for real-time data syncs without the Kafka complexity.
Watch Out For
- API Unauthenticated by Default: The HTTP API is unauthenticated by default, making it unsuitable for direct public exposure. Ensure proper network segmentation or authentication layers are added for production deployments.
- Standalone Connector Paths: Conduit expects standalone connector binaries in a specific `connectors` directory or a path explicitly configured. Misplacement will prevent connectors from loading, requiring careful setup and path management.
- Processor Egress Security: Standalone (WASM) processors' network access is closed by default for security. Operators must explicitly enable and configure egress allowlists at the engine level for processors to make external HTTP requests, preventing unintended data leaks or SSRF.
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