TIBCO Messaging Schema Repository for Apache Kafka

docs.tibco.com

Free plan macOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted

Spec score 7.7 #13 of 26 in Schema Registry Software

What it is

TIBCO Messaging Schema Repository for Apache Kafka is a REST service for registering and managing Apache Avro JSON schemas used by producer applications and consumer applications. It checks compatibility as schemas evolve and keeps schema versions available so applications can use the message format they need. Compatibility settings include backward, forward, and full policies, their transitive variants, and none; BACKWARD is the default. OAuth2 roles control REST operations by default, with restrictions configurable to the subject level. The repository provides OpenAPI documentation and interactive queries through Swagger UI, and Kafka clients and brokers can use it to manage Avro schemas. TIBCO Enterprise Message Service Kafka transports can also retrieve schemas for deserializing imported Kafka payloads. TIBCO FTL is required for storage. Version 2.0.0 has 64-bit Intel Linux packages and a 64-bit Intel macOS installer, though macOS x86-64 support is marked deprecated. The Community Edition is free for up to 100 application instances or 1,000 web/mobile instances in production, without TIBCO Support. Version 2.0.0 support ends April 30, 2027.

Spec sheet

Purpose: The Schema Repository is a RESTful service for registering and managing schemas used for compatible message formatting between producer and consumer applications.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Access control: By default, OAuth2-based roles control access to REST operations, including restrictions down to the subject level.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Authorization: OAuth2 authorization uses signed JWT access tokens with asymmetric validation keys and can return 401 or 403 responses for unauthorized requests.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Company founding: TIBCO’s site states that Vivek Ranadivé founded TIBCO in 1997.Read 30 Sep 2026 · tibco.com
Company headquarters: TIBCO lists its headquarters at 2623 Camino Ramon, Suite 200, San Ramon, California 94583, United States.Read 30 Sep 2026 · tibco.com
Compatibility policies: The documented compatibility policies include backward, forward, full, transitive variants, and none; the default is BACKWARD.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
EMS integration: TIBCO Enterprise Message Service Kafka transports can connect to the Schema Repository to obtain Avro schemas for deserializing imported Kafka payloads.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Kafka integration: Apache Kafka client applications and Kafka brokers can use the repository to manage Avro schemas.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Linux platform: Version 2.0.0 is available for 64-bit Linux on Intel x86_64 and includes RPM, DEB, and tar packages.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
macOS platform: Version 2.0.0 is available for 64-bit macOS on Intel x86_64.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
REST API: The repository exposes REST API documentation through OpenAPI and supports interactive queries using Swagger UI.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Schema evolution: The repository checks schema compatibility as schemas evolve and retains versions so applications can use the correct message format.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Schema format: Schemas use the Apache Avro JSON schema representation used with Apache Kafka.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Storage dependency: TIBCO FTL provides storage and is required to run the Schema Repository.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com
Support access: TIBCO says customers can log support cases online, and live chat is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for other assistance.Read 30 Sep 2026 · tibco.com
Support channels: TIBCO says customers can log support cases online and use live chat 24x7.Read 30 Sep 2026 · tibco.com
Support status: TIBCO states support for version 2.0.0 ends April 30, 2027, and that product updates including security updates will not be provided before then.Read 30 Sep 2026 · support.tibco.com
Supported installation platforms: Installation documentation describes Linux package or TAR installation and a 64-bit Intel macOS installer; macOS x86-64 support is marked deprecated in release 2.0.0.Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com

Plans and prices

Community Edition Free up to 100 application instances or 1,000 web/mobile instances in production · no TIBCO Support Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com

Enterprise Edition Priced on request all documented features · TIBCO Support · enterprise production deployment Read 30 Sep 2026 · docs.tibco.com

Every TIBCO Messaging Schema Repository for Apache Kafka plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

Checks compatibility as schemas evolve and retains versions.
Offers multiple compatibility policies, including transitive variants.
OAuth2 roles can restrict REST access by subject.
OpenAPI documentation and interactive Swagger UI queries are available.
Free Community Edition covers defined production instance limits.

Limits

TIBCO FTL is required for storage.
Community Edition does not include TIBCO Support.
macOS x86-64 support is marked deprecated.
Version 2.0.0 support ends April 30, 2027.

Who it suits

It suits teams using Kafka and Avro that need shared schema registration, compatibility checks, and version retention. The free Community Edition has production instance limits and excludes TIBCO Support.

Verdict

This is a focused schema service for Kafka and Avro workflows, with explicit compatibility controls and REST access management. Check the storage dependency, edition limits, and version support period before choosing it.