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Databases · head to head

Apache Solr vs Dundas BI

Apache Solr logo

Apache Solr

Databases

Enterprise search platform built on Apache Lucene

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Dundas BI logo

Dundas BI

Business Intelligence

Flexible business intelligence platform

From
$500/month
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; Dundas BI the published Embedded BI Package starts from about $4,738.70 USD per month billed annually for 8 core capacity
  • They diverge on capability: Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing, Dundas BI covers White-labeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apache Solr and Dundas BI actually diverge.

Attributes where Apache Solr and Dundas BI differ
AttributeApache SolrDundas BI
Starting priceFree$500/month
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hostedWeb, Embedded, Mobile
CategoryDatabasesBusiness Intelligence
FoundedUnknown1992

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 Dundas BI

  • White-labeling
  • Embedded Analytics
  • Data Preparation
  • Custom Visualizations
  • API
  • SQL Server
  • Oracle
  • PostgreSQL

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 Dundas BI
  • Long-lived enterprise deployments valuing stability over noveltynot Dundas BI
  • Search requiring precise, explicitly configured relevance tuningnot Dundas BI

Dundas BI

  • Embedding dashboards and analytics inside another applicationnot Apache Solr
  • Self service business intelligence and ad hoc reportingnot Apache Solr
  • Building custom data visualisations against open BI APIsnot 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

Dundas BI

  • The published Embedded BI Package starts from about $4,738.70 USD per month billed annually for 8 core capacity
  • That figure reflects a limited time 35 percent promotional discount rather than list price
  • Licensing is by CPU core capacity rather than by user, so cost scales with server hardware
  • Dundas is now part of insightsoftware following acquisition
  • The page states that a pricing plan is worked out together with the vendor rather than published as a rate card

Pricing, plan by plan

Apache Solr

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

Dundas BI

$500/month
  • Professional$500/month
    • Full Platform
    • Embedding
    • Support
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Unlimited Users
    • Multi-tenant
    • Premium Support

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 Dundas BI if

  • You need white-labeling.
  • You work on Web, Embedded, Mobile.
  • You also want embedded analytics.
Dundas BI review

Questions people ask

Is Apache Solr or Dundas BI better?
Neither clearly leads. Apache Solr starts at Free and Dundas BI at $500/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apache Solr or Dundas BI?
Apache Solr has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apache Solr and $500/month for Dundas BI.
Does Apache Solr or Dundas BI run on more platforms?
Apache Solr runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted. Dundas BI runs on Web, Embedded, Mobile.
Can I use Apache Solr for free?
Yes. Apache Solr has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Dundas BI starts at $500/month.
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 Dundas BI is typically brought in for.
What can Apache Solr do that Dundas BI cannot?
Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing, Faceted search, SolrCloud, Schema control. Dundas BI covers White-labeling, Embedded Analytics, Data Preparation, Custom Visualizations.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Apache Solr: Is Apache Solr free?

Yes, open source under the Apache Software Foundation.

Dundas BI: How much does Dundas BI cost?

Dundas BI does not publish specific pricing. The vendor emphasizes 'smarter licensing models to scale appropriately and achieve ROI rapidly' and offers 'custom plans that fit your needs' rather than standardized tiers. Customers must contact Dundas directly for pricing quotes tailored to their enterprise or embedded analytics use case.

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.

Dundas BI: What licensing options does Dundas BI offer?

Dundas BI describes their approach as flexible licensing designed to scale based on deployment needs. Specific licensing models and per-seat or concurrent-user costs are determined through custom quotes.

Source
Apache Solr: Is Solr still maintained?

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

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