MeiliSearch vs Solr: What are the differences?

MeiliSearch vs Solr: Key Differences

Introduction

MeiliSearch and Solr are both powerful search engines commonly used in websites and applications. However, they have key differences that set them apart in terms of features and functionality. In this comparison, we will highlight six main differences between MeiliSearch and Solr.

1. Search Algorithm and Ranking: MeiliSearch utilizes BM25 as its default similarity algorithm, providing accurate search results based on term frequency and document relevance. On the other hand, Solr uses a combination of TF-IDF and BM25, offering a wide range of scoring and ranking options to meet specific search requirements.

2. Real-time Updates: MeiliSearch excels at handling real-time updates, instantly reflecting changes made to indexed data without any delay. In contrast, Solr requires manual indexing or periodic updates, which can result in delays in reflecting changes in search results.

3. Query Features: MeiliSearch offers a powerful and user-friendly search experience, supporting typo-tolerance, filtering, faceting, and customizable ranking rules out of the box. Solr, on the other hand, provides advanced query features, including highlighting, spatial search, and grouping, making it suitable for complex search requirements.

4. Ease of Use: MeiliSearch is known for its simplicity and ease of use, with a minimalistic API and straightforward configuration. It requires no external dependencies and provides instant setup and deployment. In contrast, Solr has a steeper learning curve and requires additional setup and configuration for optimal performance.

5. Language Support: MeiliSearch has native support for over 50 languages, ensuring accurate search results across a wide range of linguistic variations. Solr also supports multiple languages but may require additional configuration and customization to achieve the desired accuracy in search outcomes.

6. Scalability: While both MeiliSearch and Solr are scalable, their approaches differ. MeiliSearch provides a horizontally scalable architecture, allowing the addition of multiple instances to handle increasing search traffic. Solr offers both horizontal and vertical scalability, enabling the distribution of searches across multiple servers and the allocation of more resources to handle large-scale deployments.

Summary

In summary, MeiliSearch stands out with its simple setup, real-time updates, and user-friendly query features, making it an excellent choice for developers seeking a hassle-free search engine solution. On the other hand, Solr offers more advanced features, customizable ranking options, and robust scalability options, making it suitable for complex search requirements and larger deployments.