Elasticsearch vs Vault: What are the differences?
# Key Differences between Elasticsearch and Vault
Elasticsearch is a search engine that is used for full-text search while Vault is a tool for managing secrets and protecting sensitive data. One significant difference between the two is that Elasticsearch is primarily used for searching and analyzing data, making it a fundamental tool for indexing and querying large volumes of data. On the other hand, Vault focuses on secure storage and handling of sensitive information, providing features such as encryption, access control, and dynamic secrets management.
1. **Data Management**:
Elasticsearch is designed for indexing and querying data, enabling users to search through vast amounts of information efficiently. In contrast, Vault focuses on securely storing and managing sensitive data, offering encryption capabilities and access control mechanisms to protect valuable information.
2. **Use Case**:
The primary use case for Elasticsearch is as a search engine for analyzing and retrieving data, making it suitable for applications that require powerful search capabilities. On the other hand, Vault is commonly used for storing and managing secrets, such as passwords, API keys, and certificates, in a secure and centralized manner.
3. **Deployment**:
Elasticsearch is typically deployed as a distributed system to handle large-scale data processing and search operations, making it suitable for big data applications. In comparison, Vault can be deployed as a standalone service or integrated with other tools to provide secure storage and access control for sensitive information.
4. **Security Features**:
Vault offers advanced security features such as encryption at rest and in transit, audit logging, and automated key rotation to ensure the protection of sensitive data. While Elasticsearch provides basic security features, it may require additional configurations or plugins to enhance data security.
5. **Scalability**:
Elasticsearch is known for its scalability and performance in handling large volumes of data, making it ideal for applications that require real-time search capabilities. On the other hand, Vault's scalability is focused on secure storage and access control, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected and accessible as needed.
6. **Community Support**:
Elasticsearch has a robust community of users and developers who contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the platform, providing a wealth of resources and support for users. In comparison, Vault also has an active community but may have fewer resources available due to its focus on secure data management.
In Summary, Elasticsearch and Vault have key differences in data management, use cases, deployment, security features, scalability, and community support.
