Apache Flink CDC
github.com
What it is
Apache Flink CDC is a distributed data integration tool for real-time and batch workloads, built on Apache Flink. It supports full database and sharded-table synchronization, schema evolution and data transformation. With its YAML Pipeline API, users can declare sources, sinks, routing, transformations and schema evolution rules. SQL and DataStream APIs are also available for defining CDC sources and custom Flink streaming applications. Listed pipeline connectors include Doris, Elasticsearch, Fluss, Hudi, Iceberg, Kafka, MaxCompute, MySQL, OceanBase, Oracle, Paimon, PostgreSQL and StarRocks. SQL and DataStream source connectors also include SQL Server, MongoDB, TiDB, Db2 and Vitess. Flink CDC 3.6 is listed as compatible with Flink 1.20 and 2.2; version 3.6.0 requires JDK 11 or later. Deployment is self-hosted: download and extract Flink CDC and connector JARs, then run them with an Apache Flink deployment. It is free under the Apache 2.0 License and lists Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted environments as platforms.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Flink CDC is a distributed data integration tool for real-time and batch data, built on Apache Flink.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Deployment
- The documentation describes downloading and extracting Flink CDC and connector JARs, then running it with an Apache Flink deployment.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nightlies.apache.org
- Integrations
- Pipeline connectors listed include Doris, Elasticsearch, Fluss, Hudi, Iceberg, Kafka, MaxCompute, MySQL, OceanBase, Oracle, Paimon, PostgreSQL, and StarRocks.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Security
- The repository links to a security policy, but its contents were not available in the opened page.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Support
- The project directs users to its user mailing list for support and questions, and to Flink JIRA for problems.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository states that Flink CDC is distributed under the Apache 2.0 License.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Flink compatibility
- The repository lists Flink CDC 3.6 as compatible with Flink 1.20 and 2.2.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Other APIs
- It also provides SQL and DataStream APIs for defining CDC sources and custom Flink streaming applications.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Pipeline API
- Its YAML Pipeline API lets users define sources, sinks, routing, transformations, and schema evolution rules declaratively.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Runtime requirement
- The documentation says Flink CDC 3.6.0 is built on JDK 11 and requires JDK 11 or later.Read 30 Sep 2026 · nightlies.apache.org
- Schema and transformation
- It supports schema evolution and data transformation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Source databases
- SQL and DataStream source connectors listed include MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle, SQL Server, MongoDB, OceanBase, TiDB, Db2, and Vitess.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Synchronization
- It supports full database synchronization and sharded table synchronization.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Apache Flink CDC Free Apache License 2.0 · released JARs and connectors Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Supports full database and sharded-table synchronization
- Offers YAML, SQL and DataStream APIs
- Includes schema evolution and transformation
- Free under the Apache 2.0 License
- Connectors include MySQL, Kafka and PostgreSQL
Limits
- Requires self-hosted deployment
- Version 3.6.0 requires JDK 11 or later
Who it suits
It suits teams building real-time or batch data pipelines who can run Apache Flink deployments themselves. The available APIs and connector lists may be useful when integrating supported sources and sinks.
Verdict
Flink CDC offers several ways to define pipelines, with synchronization and schema-evolution support. Its self-hosted deployment and JDK requirement are important operational details.
Where Specifiction places it
- Change Data Capture Software#5 of 238.2
