Apache Solr vs Manticore Search

A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted search engines options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.

Not the right match-up?
FeatureApache SolrManticore Search
CategorySearch EnginesSearch Engines
LicenseApache-2.0GPL-3.0
LanguageJavaC++
Setup difficultyHardMedium
Min. RAM1,024 MB256 MB
Deploymentdocker, kubernetes, bare-metaldocker, kubernetes, bare-metal
GitHub stars★ 1,650★ 11,928
First released20062017
ReplacesElasticsearch, AlgoliaElasticsearch, Algolia

Why pick each one

Choose Apache Solr if…

  • Mature and battle-tested
  • Powerful faceting
Apache Solr details

Choose Manticore Search if…

  • Lightweight and fast
  • SQL-friendly
Manticore Search details

Frequently asked questions

Is Apache Solr or Manticore Search better?

Manticore Search is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler medium setup. Consider Apache Solr if its specific feature set fits your needs better.

Are Apache Solr and Manticore Search free and open-source?

Yes. Apache Solr is licensed under Apache-2.0 and Manticore Search under GPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.

Can I run Apache Solr and Manticore Search with Docker?

Apache Solr: yes. Manticore Search: yes.

Related comparisons