Manticore Search

Self-Hosted

Open-source fast search engine for full-text and real-time data

Overview

Manticore Search is an open-source, high-performance search engine optimized for fast full-text search, real-time data updates, and scalable indexing. Forked from Sphinx, it supports SQL, JSON over HTTP, and native APIs for easy integration. Features include built-in replication, sharding, geospatial search, and faceted filtering—ideal for e-commerce, log analysis, or content platforms. Deploy via Docker, pre-built packages, or source code with minimal resource overhead.

Self-Hosting Resources

Find Official Image on Docker Hub View Source & Docs

Below is a reference structure for docker-compose.yml. ⚠️ Do NOT run blindly. Replace placeholders with official values.

docker-compose.template.yml TEMPLATE


version: '3'
services:
  manticore_search:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: manticore-search
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

High-speed full-text search with real-time updates
Multi-API access (SQL, HTTP JSON, native protocol)
Built-in replication & sharding for scalability
Geospatial and faceted search capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Manticore Search hard to install?

No—Manticore offers easy deployment via Docker images, pre-built DEB/RPM packages for major Linux distros, or source code. Docker setup takes minutes, and official docs provide step-by-step guides for all methods, including basic configuration.

? Is it a good alternative to Algolia?

Yes—Manticore provides self-hosted, privacy-focused search with fast performance comparable to Algolia, but without recurring subscription costs. It supports real-time updates and faceted search, making it ideal for replacing Algolia in self-hosted e-commerce or content platforms.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—Manticore Search is open source under the GPLv2 license, so it’s 100% free to use, modify, and deploy self-hosted. There are no paid tiers or hidden costs for core functionality.

Top Alternatives

Algolia Search Google

Amazon CloudSearch Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Search Engines

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Privacy-focused self-hosted solution
⊕ Blazing-fast query response times
⊕ Flexible deployment options (Docker, packages, source)

Cons

⊖ Requires technical knowledge for optimal configuration
⊖ Smaller community compared to Elasticsearch/Solr
⊖ Limited advanced analytics features