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Databases · head to head

Apache Solr vs AVEVA PI System

Apache Solr logo

Apache Solr

Databases

Enterprise search platform built on Apache Lucene

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
AVEVA PI System logo

AVEVA PI System

Energy

Industrial data infrastructure for real-time insights

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apache Solr has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apache Solr xML-heavy configuration and a developer experience that feels dated beside newer engines; AVEVA PI System pricing is not published and comes through an account representative
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing, AVEVA PI System covers Real-time data collection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Solr and AVEVA PI System actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Solr and AVEVA PI System differ
AttributeApache SolrAVEVA PI System
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeone-time
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hostedDesktop, Web, Mobile, Api
CategoryDatabasesEnergy
FoundedUnknown1967

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apache Solr

  • Lucene-based indexing
  • Faceted search
  • SolrCloud
  • Schema control

Only in AVEVA PI System

  • Real-time data collection
  • Time-series data storage
  • Asset framework
  • Visualization
  • Analytics
  • Event management
  • Notifications
  • Data integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apache Solr

  • Library, archive and catalogue search where faceting is centralnot AVEVA PI System
  • Long-lived enterprise deployments valuing stability over noveltynot AVEVA PI System
  • Search requiring precise, explicitly configured relevance tuningnot AVEVA PI System

AVEVA PI System

  • Industrial data collection and storage for oil, gas, and chemical processingnot Apache Solr
  • Real-time operational data visualization and HMI dashboardsnot Apache Solr
  • Supply chain and asset performance monitoring across sitesnot Apache Solr
  • Compliance and audit trail management for regulated industriesnot Apache Solr
  • Integration with SCADA systems and manufacturing executionnot Apache Solr

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apache Solr

  • XML-heavy configuration and a developer experience that feels dated beside newer engines
  • SolrCloud depends on ZooKeeper, adding a component Elasticsearch removed years ago
  • Smaller mindshare now, so newer tutorials, hiring and integrations favour Elasticsearch
  • Considerably heavier than a purpose-built application search engine

AVEVA PI System

  • Pricing is not published and comes through an account representative
  • The vendor is moving to a subscription commercial model, so perpetual licence expectations no longer hold
  • Made up of several separately named components, including PI Server, PI Vision, Edge Data Store and the adapters and connectors needed per data source

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Solr

Free
  • Apache SolrFree
    • Full functionality
    • No usage limits
    • Community support

AVEVA PI System

On request
  • Data Archive$undefined/license
    • Time-series data storage
    • High-speed data collection
    • Data compression
  • Operations$undefined/license
    • PI Vision dashboards
    • AF analytics
    • Event frames
  • Enterprise$undefined/license
    • PI Integrator
    • Cloud connectivity
    • Advanced analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Apache Solr if

  • You need lucene-based indexing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want faceted search.
Apache Solr review

Choose AVEVA PI System if

  • You need real-time data collection.
  • You work on Desktop, Web, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want time-series data storage.
AVEVA PI System review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Solr or AVEVA PI System better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Solr starts at Free and AVEVA PI System at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Solr or AVEVA PI System?
Apache Solr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache Solr and On request for AVEVA PI System.
Does Apache Solr or AVEVA PI System run on more platforms?
Apache Solr runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted. AVEVA PI System runs on Desktop, Web, Mobile, Api.
Can I use Apache Solr for free?
Yes. Apache Solr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. AVEVA PI System starts at On request.
What is Apache Solr best used for?
Apache Solr is most often used for library, archive and catalogue search where faceting is central, long-lived enterprise deployments valuing stability over novelty, search requiring precise, explicitly configured relevance tuning. Of those, library, archive and catalogue search where faceting is central and long-lived enterprise deployments valuing stability over novelty are not what AVEVA PI System is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Solr do that AVEVA PI System cannot?
Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing, Faceted search, SolrCloud, Schema control. AVEVA PI System covers Real-time data collection, Time-series data storage, Asset framework, Visualization.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache Solr: Is Apache Solr free?

Yes, open source under the Apache Software Foundation.

AVEVA PI System: What is AVEVA PI System pricing?

AVEVA does not list PI System pricing on its website. AVEVA markets industrial software through enterprise sales channels with custom quotes.

Source
Apache Solr: Solr or Elasticsearch?

Both are built on Lucene. Elasticsearch has the larger ecosystem and a friendlier API; Solr is very mature and strong on faceted search, and remains common in library and catalogue systems.

AVEVA PI System: Does AVEVA offer a Flex Subscription Program?

AVEVA mentions Flex Subscription Program on its site for flexible product access, but pricing and terms are not published publicly.

Source
Apache Solr: Is Solr still maintained?

Yes, actively, as a top-level Apache project.

AVEVA PI System: Is AVEVA PI System available in the cloud?

AVEVA offers cloud options for its products, but per-seat or usage-based pricing for cloud deployments is not disclosed on the vendor website.

Source
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