Softwr

Databases · head to head

Ninox vs OpenSearch

Ninox logo

Ninox

Databases

The database for teams

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenSearch logo

OpenSearch

Databases

Open-source search and analytics suite forked from Elasticsearch

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Ninox free plan limited to 5 users and 5,000 records; OpenSearch diverged from Elasticsearch since 7.10, so clients, plugins and features no longer map one to one
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Ninox and OpenSearch actually diverge.

Attributes where Ninox and OpenSearch differ
AttributeNinoxOpenSearch
Pricing modelfreemiumOpen source, no licence fee; managed services billed separately
PlatformsWebLinux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Databases).

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 Ninox

Nothing recorded that OpenSearch does not also cover.

Only in OpenSearch

  • Full-text search
  • OpenSearch Dashboards
  • Log analytics
  • Vector search

What people use each for

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

Ninox

  • No-code database solutions for small to medium teamsnot OpenSearch
  • Workflow automation and process managementnot OpenSearch
  • Customer data and project tracking with custom viewsnot OpenSearch

OpenSearch

  • Log and observability storage where an Apache-2.0 licence is a requirementnot Ninox
  • Replacing Elasticsearch after the licence change without changing architecturenot Ninox
  • Search plus analytics on one cluster rather than two systemsnot Ninox

Where each one falls short

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

Ninox

  • Free plan limited to 5 users and 5,000 records
  • API call limits restrict automation on lower tiers (1,000/month free, 10,000/month team)
  • Only 7-day history on free plan vs. unlimited on Business

OpenSearch

  • Diverged from Elasticsearch since 7.10, so clients, plugins and features no longer map one to one
  • Operationally heavy in the way Elasticsearch is: cluster sizing, shard strategy and JVM tuning are ongoing work
  • Smaller ecosystem of third-party tooling than Elasticsearch, which most integrations still target first
  • Overkill for plain application search, where a dedicated search engine is far simpler

Pricing, plan by plan

Ninox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 5 users
    • 100 MB storage
    • Up to 5,000 records
  • Team$25/month
    • 5 GB storage per user
    • 50,000 records per user
    • 10,000 API calls per user per month
  • Business$40/month
    • 10 GB storage per user
    • 250,000 records per user
    • 50,000 API calls per user per month
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Custom pricing available
    • Dedicated support
    • Custom solutions and governance

OpenSearch

Free
  • OpenSearchFree
    • Full functionality
    • Self-hosted
    • No usage limits

Which should you pick?

Choose Ninox if

  • You want to start without paying.
Ninox review

Choose OpenSearch if

  • You need full-text search.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
  • You also want opensearch dashboards.
OpenSearch review

Questions people ask

Is Ninox or OpenSearch better?
Neither clearly leads. Ninox starts at Free and OpenSearch at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Ninox or OpenSearch?
Ninox starts at Free and OpenSearch at Free.
Does Ninox or OpenSearch run on more platforms?
Ninox runs on Web. OpenSearch runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted.
Can I use Ninox for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Ninox best used for?
Ninox is most often used for no-code database solutions for small to medium teams, workflow automation and process management, customer data and project tracking with custom views. Of those, no-code database solutions for small to medium teams and workflow automation and process management are not what OpenSearch is typically brought in for.
What can Ninox do that OpenSearch cannot?
OpenSearch covers Full-text search, OpenSearch Dashboards, Log analytics, Vector search.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Ninox: How much does Ninox cost?

Ninox is free for individuals with up to 5 users. Team plan is 25 EUR per user per month (billed annually), and Business plan is 40 EUR per user per month (billed annually). Enterprise plans have custom pricing.

Source
OpenSearch: Is OpenSearch free?

Yes, Apache 2.0 licensed under the Linux Foundation. Amazon OpenSearch Service is a paid managed option.

Ninox: Is Ninox free?

Yes, Ninox offers a free plan for up to 5 users with 100 MB storage and 5,000 records. No payment required to start, and includes all core views: table, form, chart, kanban, maps, and calendar.

Source
OpenSearch: Why does OpenSearch exist?

Elastic moved Elasticsearch off the Apache 2.0 licence in 2021. AWS forked the last Apache-licensed version, and the project now sits under the Linux Foundation.

Ninox: What is Ninox Team plan pricing?

The Team plan costs 25 EUR per user per month (billed annually). It includes 5 GB storage per user, 50,000 records, 10,000 API calls per month per user, and 30-day history. Annual billing is required.

Source
OpenSearch: Is OpenSearch compatible with Elasticsearch?

It was at the 7.10 fork point. Both have developed independently since, so compatibility weakens with every release and should be verified for the features you use.

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