OSI-licensed only · self-hostable
Elasticsearch's own repository states that, unless a file header says otherwise, the code is available under three licences: AGPL-3.0 (only), the Server Side Public License v1, and the Elastic License 2.0, with the x-pack folder under the Elastic License 2.0 only. So Elasticsearch can be used under an OSI-approved licence (AGPL-3.0), but many teams still look for alternatives with a different licence or a lighter footprint.
Every tool below is under an OSI-approved licence, checked against its repository. Alternatives differ a lot in what they replace: some are general search engines, others are built for site search or log and observability data.
Licences checked against each repository on November 7, 2026.
| Tool | Best for | Licence | Runs as |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenSearch | Most direct API-style replacement | Apache-2.0 | Server |
| Meilisearch | Fast site and app search | MIT | Docker |
| Typesense | Typo-tolerant search as an Algolia or Elasticsearch alternative | GPL-3.0 | Server |
| Manticore Search | Elasticsearch-style full-text search with a SQL feel | GPL-3.0-or-later | Server |
| Quickwit | Searching logs and traces | Apache-2.0 | Server |
| Apache Solr | Mature Lucene-based search platform | Apache-2.0 | Server |
| OpenObserve | Logs, metrics and traces in one place | AGPL-3.0 | Docker |
Best for: Most direct API-style replacement
Described as an enterprise-grade search and observability suite, and an open-source distributed and RESTful search engine.
Best for: Fast site and app search
A search engine API bringing AI-powered hybrid search to sites and applications. The Community Edition is MIT-licensed.
Best for: Typo-tolerant search as an Algolia or Elasticsearch alternative
A fast, typo-tolerant search engine, positioned as an open-source Algolia alternative and a simpler alternative to Elasticsearch.
Best for: Elasticsearch-style full-text search with a SQL feel
Described as an easy-to-use, open-source and fast database designed for search, and a great alternative to Elasticsearch.
Best for: Searching logs and traces
An open-source search engine for observability, covering logs and traces, with metrics on the roadmap.
Best for: Mature Lucene-based search platform
Described as a blazing-fast, open-source, multi-modal search platform built on Apache Lucene, supporting full-text, vector and geospatial search.
Best for: Logs, metrics and traces in one place
An open-source Datadog alternative for logs, metrics, traces and frontend monitoring, deployable as a single binary. The Open Source Edition is AGPL-3.0.
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| If you need… | Start with |
|---|---|
| A drop-in style cluster for application search | OpenSearch |
| Site search with typo tolerance | Meilisearch or Typesense |
| SQL-style full-text search | Manticore Search |
| Log and trace search | Quickwit or OpenObserve |
| Mature Lucene platform with vector search | Apache Solr |
Public source code, but under licences the Open Source Initiative doesn't approve. Fine to use; read the terms first.
The same Elasticsearch repository also offers its code under the Server Side Public License and the Elastic License 2.0. Neither is OSI-approved. Only the AGPL-3.0 option is open source, and code in the x-pack folder is Elastic License 2.0 only.
Lives in the same repository as the MIT Community Edition, but the repo says it is not allowed in production without a commercial agreement.
Quick answers to common questions
Its repository offers the code under AGPL-3.0 (only), SSPL v1 and Elastic License 2.0. AGPL-3.0 is OSI-approved, so Elasticsearch can be used as open source under that option, while SSPL and ELv2 are not open-source licences.
OpenSearch, under Apache-2.0, is described as an open-source distributed and RESTful search engine. Check API compatibility for your specific client libraries before migrating.
Meilisearch and Typesense are built for fast site and app search with simple setup. Neither is aimed at log analytics.
Quickwit and OpenObserve target observability data. Quickwit covers logs and traces, and OpenObserve adds metrics and frontend monitoring.
For internal use, not in practice. If you modify the code and offer it to others over a network, the AGPL requires you to publish your changes.
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