Lunr.js vs ParadeDB
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?
Lunr.js
Small full-text search library for the browser
VS
ParadeDB
Postgres extension for full-text and analytical search
| Feature | Lunr.js | ParadeDB |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Search Engines | Search Engines |
| License | MIT | AGPL-3.0 |
| Language | JavaScript | Rust |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Medium |
| Min. RAM | 64 MB | 1,024 MB |
| Deployment | source | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 9,202 | ★ 9,135 |
| First released | 2013 | 2023 |
| Replaces | Algolia, Elasticsearch | Elasticsearch |
Why pick each one
Choose Lunr.js if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- Mature project with 9.2k GitHub stars
- Written in JavaScript
Choose ParadeDB if…
- Released under the AGPL-3.0 license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 9.1k GitHub stars
- Written in Rust
Frequently asked questions
Is Lunr.js or ParadeDB better?
Lunr.js is the stronger all-round pick: it has both the larger community and the simpler easy setup. Consider ParadeDB if its specific feature set fits your needs better.
Are Lunr.js and ParadeDB free and open-source?
Yes. Lunr.js is licensed under MIT and ParadeDB under AGPL-3.0. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Lunr.js and ParadeDB with Docker?
Lunr.js: check the project docs for container support. ParadeDB: yes.