Elasticsearch vs Klevu: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this article, we will compare Elasticsearch and Klevu and highlight their key differences. Elasticsearch is an open-source search and analytics engine, while Klevu is an AI-driven e-commerce search solution.

1. Indexing and Querying: Elasticsearch has a highly scalable distributed architecture that allows for indexing and querying large volumes of data in near real-time. It supports complex search queries, filters, and aggregations. On the other hand, Klevu is specifically designed for e-commerce search and provides features like semantic search, autocorrect, and product boosting to enhance the shopping experience.

2. Scalability and Performance: Elasticsearch is built on top of the Apache Lucene search library, which provides excellent performance and scalability. It can handle billions of documents and terabytes of data efficiently. Klevu, being an AI-driven solution, also offers good scalability and performance but is more tailored towards e-commerce use cases.

3. Customization and Integration: Elasticsearch provides a flexible and customizable platform where developers can define their own mappings, analyzers, and relevance models. It offers a rich set of APIs and integrations with various databases and frameworks. Klevu, on the other hand, is a pre-built solution that integrates directly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify and Magento. While it allows some customization options, it may have limitations compared to Elasticsearch.

4. Learning Curve and Maintenance: Elasticsearch has a steeper learning curve as it requires knowledge of query DSL and backend development skills. It requires cluster setup, monitoring, and maintenance to ensure optimal performance. Klevu, being a pre-packaged solution, has a shorter learning curve and requires less maintenance as the infrastructure and updates are managed by the provider.

5. Community and Support: Elasticsearch has a large and active community of users and developers, with extensive documentation, forums, and resources available. It is widely adopted and has a strong ecosystem of plugins and extensions. Klevu, being a specialized e-commerce search solution, has a smaller but dedicated community and support team focused on e-commerce use cases.

6. Cost and Pricing Model: Elasticsearch is open-source and available for free, but there are additional costs involved in managing the infrastructure, scaling, and support. There are also commercial offerings provided by Elastic, the company behind Elasticsearch, which offer additional features and support. Klevu, on the other hand, follows a subscription-based pricing model, with the cost depending on factors like the number of products and monthly search volume.

In summary, Elasticsearch is a highly scalable and customizable search and analytics engine, while Klevu is a specialized e-commerce search solution with AI-driven features. Elasticsearch offers more flexibility, customization options, and a larger community, but requires more technical expertise and maintenance. Klevu, being a pre-built solution, has a shorter learning curve and is more focused on e-commerce use cases. The choice between the two depends on the specific needs and requirements of the project.