MeiliSearch

Self-Hosted

Open-source, fast, and relevant search engine alternative to Algolia

Overview

MeiliSearch is a lightning-fast, open-source search engine designed for seamless integration into web and mobile apps. It delivers instant search results with typo tolerance, faceting, filtering, sorting, and synonym support. Easy to deploy via Docker, binary distribution, or cloud instances, it’s ideal for self-hosting teams needing a scalable, developer-friendly alternative to proprietary solutions. Its RESTful API and multi-language client libraries simplify implementation, while customizable ranking rules ensure highly relevant results for users.

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:
  meilisearch:
    image: <OFFICIAL_IMAGE_NAME>:latest
    container_name: meilisearch
    ports:
      - "8080:<APP_INTERNAL_PORT>"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/app/data
    restart: unless-stopped

Key Features

Instant search with typo tolerance (up to 2 typos)
Faceted search and filtering capabilities
RESTful API with multi-language client libraries
Customizable ranking rules for relevant results
Synonym and stop-word management

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is MeiliSearch hard to install?

No—MeiliSearch can be installed in minutes via a single Docker command, binary download, or cloud instance. Detailed self-hosting documentation and community support make setup accessible even for developers with basic server experience.

? Is it a good alternative to Algolia?

Yes—MeiliSearch offers core features like instant search, typo tolerance, and faceting at no cost (open-source). While Algolia has more enterprise-grade tools (e.g., advanced analytics), MeiliSearch is perfect for teams needing a self-hosted, budget-friendly option with easy integration.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—MeiliSearch is open-source under the MIT license, so it’s free to use, modify, and self-host. Managed cloud plans (MeiliCloud) are available for hosted solutions, but core self-hosted features have no hidden costs.

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 data control)
⊕ No subscription fees (open-source core)
⊕ Blazing-fast search performance
⊕ Easy to integrate with minimal setup
⊕ Lightweight and resource-efficient

Cons

⊖ Requires server setup (basic technical knowledge)
⊖ Limited advanced analytics compared to enterprise tools
⊖ No built-in authentication by default (needs middleware)
⊖ Smaller ecosystem than proprietary alternatives like Algolia