- Home
- Schema Registry Software
- Apicurio Registry
Apicurio Registry
What it is
Apicurio Registry is an open-source runtime server for storing API designs and schemas as artifacts. Users can add, update, and remove artifacts through a REST API, while consumers browse, search, inspect details, and read generated documentation. It supports API formats including OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, GraphQL, Apache Avro, Protocol Buffers, JSON Schema, Kafka Connect schema, WSDL, XML Schema, and ODCS v3.1. Configurable rules check validity, compatibility, and integrity as artifacts evolve. For messaging and event streaming, the registry centralizes schema tracking and evolution control. Listed storage backends are Apache Kafka, PostgreSQL, and Microsoft SQL Server. Management options include a web console, REST API, command line, Maven plug-in, language SDKs, and a Java client. Kafka serializers and deserializers can enforce schemas in producer and consumer applications, with Kafka Connect integration documented. Authentication options include OpenID Connect, HTTP basic, proxy headers, and Kubernetes-native methods. The quick-start memory server is non-persistent and not intended for production.
For and against
For
- Stores many API and schema formats
- Supports compatibility and integrity rules
- Offers web, REST, CLI, and SDK management
- Integrates with Kafka and Kafka Connect
- Supports self-hosted Kubernetes deployment
Against
- Authentication and authorization are disabled by default
- Quick-start memory mode is non-persistent
- Native CLI is marked dev-preview and unstable
- Version 2.x is deprecated
The verdict
Apicurio Registry provides a broad artifact store for API discovery and schema governance. Its interfaces, storage choices, and Kafka integrations support varied deployments, while production users should configure persistence and access controls.
Who it suits
It suits teams managing API contracts, event schemas, discovery, and documentation in self-hosted environments. Kafka users can apply serializers and deserializers to enforce formats in applications.
On the record
- API registry use
- It can register API designs such as OpenAPI and AsyncAPI so consumers can browse and search APIs, view details, and read generated documentation.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Artifact formats
- Supported artifact types include OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, GraphQL, Apache Avro, Protocol Buffers, JSON Schema, Kafka Connect schema, WSDL, and XSD.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Artifact types
- Supported artifact types listed on the product page include OpenAPI, AsyncAPI, GraphQL, Avro, Protobuf, JSON Schema, Kafka Connect schema, WSDL, and XSD.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- Documented authentication options include OpenID Connect, HTTP basic, proxy header, and Kubernetes-native authentication; authentication and authorization options are disabled by default.apicurio.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Authorization
- Authorization options include default admin, write, and read-only roles, plus content-based controls that can restrict artifact updates or deletion to its owner.apicurio.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- CLI authentication
- The CLI supports basic authentication and OAuth2 client credentials, and stores secrets in the operating system keychain or credential manager where available.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Client access
- The documentation describes management through the web console, REST API, Maven plug-in, and Java client.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Command line
- A native Apicurio Registry CLI is available for Linux x86_64, macOS Apple Silicon, and Windows x86_64, and is marked dev-preview and unstable.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Content rules
- Configurable content rules can check validity, compatibility, and integrity as artifacts evolve.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- The getting-started guide runs the server and UI as separate Docker images and also names Podman as a prerequisite option.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation describes Kafka client serializers and deserializers for Avro, Protobuf, and JSON Schema, and integration with Kafka Connect.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Kafka integration
- The documentation describes Kafka client serializers and deserializers for enforcing schemas in producer and consumer applications.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Management interfaces
- The documentation lists a web console, REST API, command line, Maven plug-in, and language SDKs for content management.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Non-persistent mode
- The quick-start in-memory server is non-persistent and the guide says not to use it for production.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Product
- Apicurio Registry is a runtime server that stores API designs and schemas and lets users add, update, and remove artifacts through a REST API.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Apicurio Registry is a runtime server that stores artifacts and lets users add, update, and remove them through a remote REST API.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Roles
- When role-based authorization is enabled, the CLI supports ADMIN, DEVELOPER, and READ_ONLY role mappings.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
- Schema registry use
- For messaging and event streaming, it provides a central place to track schemas and manage data format and schema evolution.apicur.io · read 5 Oct 2026
