Typesense

Self-Hosted

Fast, open-source search engine for instant, relevant search experiences

Overview

Typesense is a lightweight, open-source search engine optimized for speed and relevance, ideal for building instant search in apps, e-commerce, or docs. It offers typo tolerance (multiple typos supported), real-time indexing, faceted filtering, and RESTful APIs for easy integration. Deploy via Docker, Kubernetes, or bare metal with minimal setup. Supports schema customization, sorting, pagination, and works seamlessly with React, Vue, or Angular—perfect for teams avoiding SaaS lock-in while needing high-performance search.

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

Key Features

Typo tolerance (handles multiple typos)
Real-time indexing and search results
Faceted filtering and sorting
RESTful/JSON API integration
Lightweight and low-resource footprint

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is Typesense hard to install?

No—Typesense is easy to deploy via Docker (one command), Kubernetes, or pre-built binaries. Official docs provide clear steps for setup, including configuration and scaling, making it accessible for users with basic server experience.

? Is it a good alternative to Algolia?

Yes—Typesense matches Algolia’s core features (typo tolerance, real-time search) as a self-hosted option. It avoids vendor lock-in and subscription costs, making it ideal for teams wanting full data control without sacrificing performance.

? Is it completely free?

Yes—Typesense uses the MIT license, so it’s free to use, modify, and distribute for personal or commercial projects. You only pay for the server infrastructure to host it.

Top Alternatives

Algolia Search Google

Amazon CloudSearch Search Google

Tool Info

Pricing Open Source

Category Search Engines

Platform Self-Hosted

Pros

⊕ Blazing-fast search performance
⊕ MIT open-source license (free for all uses)
⊕ Minimal setup and maintenance
⊕ Seamless frontend framework integration
⊕ Full control over data and infrastructure

Cons

⊖ Fewer advanced features than Elasticsearch
⊖ Requires basic server admin knowledge
⊖ No built-in multi-tenancy (needs custom work)
⊖ Smaller community compared to Elasticsearch