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Databases · head to head

OpenSearch vs Apache Solr

OpenSearch logo

OpenSearch

Databases

Open-source search and analytics suite forked from Elasticsearch

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Apache Solr logo

Apache Solr

Databases

Enterprise search platform built on Apache Lucene

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OpenSearch diverged from Elasticsearch since 7.10, so clients, plugins and features no longer map one to one; Apache Solr xML-heavy configuration and a developer experience that feels dated beside newer engines
  • They diverge on capability: OpenSearch covers Full-text search, Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenSearch and Apache Solr actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenSearch and Apache Solr differ
AttributeOpenSearchApache Solr
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence fee; managed services billed separatelyOpen source, no licence fee

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted), 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 OpenSearch

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

Only in Apache Solr

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

What people use each for

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

OpenSearch

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

Apache Solr

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

Where each one falls short

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

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

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

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenSearch

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

Apache Solr

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

Which should you pick?

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

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

Questions people ask

Is OpenSearch or Apache Solr better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenSearch starts at Free and Apache Solr at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenSearch or Apache Solr?
OpenSearch starts at Free and Apache Solr at Free.
Does OpenSearch or Apache Solr run on more platforms?
Both run on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Self-hosted, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use OpenSearch for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is OpenSearch best used for?
OpenSearch is most often used for log and observability storage where an apache-2.0 licence is a requirement, replacing elasticsearch after the licence change without changing architecture, search plus analytics on one cluster rather than two systems. Of those, log and observability storage where an apache-2.0 licence is a requirement and replacing elasticsearch after the licence change without changing architecture are not what Apache Solr is typically brought in for.
What can OpenSearch do that Apache Solr cannot?
OpenSearch covers Full-text search, OpenSearch Dashboards, Log analytics, Vector search. Apache Solr covers Lucene-based indexing, Faceted search, SolrCloud, Schema control.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenSearch: Is OpenSearch free?

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

Apache Solr: Is Apache Solr free?

Yes, open source under the Apache Software Foundation.

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.

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.

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.

Apache Solr: Is Solr still maintained?

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

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