Apache Thrift vs Protobuf: What are the differences?

Introduction

Apache Thrift and Protobuf are two popular serialization frameworks that provide language and platform-independent communication between applications. While both frameworks serve a similar purpose, there are key differences that set them apart.

1. Language Support: Apache Thrift supports more programming languages compared to Protobuf. Thrift provides support for languages such as C++, Java, Python, and Ruby, while Protobuf supports languages like C++, Java, Python, and Go. This broader language support can be advantageous in projects where multiple languages are involved.

2. Data Encoding: Thrift uses a binary encoding format by default, whereas Protobuf supports both binary and text encoding. Binary encoding is more compact and efficient, resulting in smaller message sizes and faster transmission. On the other hand, text encoding provides better human-readability and is easier for debugging purposes.

3. IDL Syntax: The syntax used to define interfaces and structures in Thrift and Protobuf differs. Thrift uses an IDL (Interface Definition Language) similar to C or C++, with a focus on protocol versioning. Protobuf utilizes a simpler and more concise syntax based on the Protocol Buffers language.

4. Extensibility and Compatibility: Protobuf provides better extensibility and backward compatibility compared to Thrift. Protobuf messages can be extended by adding new fields, while Thrift requires modifying the entire schema. This flexibility in Protobuf allows for easier evolution of data structures without breaking existing code.

5. Code Generation: Thrift generates code specific to different programming languages, including client and server stubs, serialization/deserialization code, and more, while Protobuf generates data access classes specific to the target language. This difference in code generation can impact the development workflow and integration with existing codebases.

6. Ecosystem and Community: Both Thrift and Protobuf have active communities and are widely used in industry, but Thrift has a larger ecosystem with additional tools and libraries available. This broader ecosystem can provide better support and resources for developers working with Thrift.

In summary, the key differences between Apache Thrift and Protobuf include language support, data encoding options, IDL syntax, extensibility and compatibility, code generation approach, and ecosystem/community size. These factors can influence the choice of serialization framework based on specific project requirements and development considerations.