OpenSearch vs. Elasticsearch: Which One Is Right for Your Business?

If your business relies on search or analytics, you’ve probably looked into OpenSearch and Elasticsearch. These platforms are widely used for managing and analyzing large datasets. However, an important distinction is that OpenSearch is fully open-source, while Elasticsearch follows a source-available model with a mix of licenses, including Elastic License 2.0 (ELv2), Server Side Public License (SSPL), and Affero General Public License (AGPL-3.0). This means that while you can access Elasticsearch’s source code, its usage comes with restrictions, particularly for cloud service providers. Your choice isn’t just about licensing but also depends on factors like scale, cost, flexibility, support, and technical requirements.

Let’s explore these factors in detail to help you make an informed decision.

The size and complexity of your data will play a huge role in your decision. Elasticsearch has a strong reputation for handling massive datasets, making it a popular choice for enterprise environments where speed and real-time analytics are critical. With advanced tools like machine learning and predictive analytics, Elasticsearch is good at processing and analyzing large volumes of data, such as monitoring millions of log events per second or powering large ecommerce search platforms.

OpenSearch offers comparable scalability and performance, especially for typical use cases. However, achieving enterprise-grade performance may require more manual optimization and tuning compared to Elasticsearch’s built-in tools.

Budget constraints often drive decision-making, especially for startups and small to medium-sized businesses. While Elasticsearch provides a free tier, it also includes premium features under Elastic’s commercial licensing model. Features like advanced machine learning models, security tools, and managed services via Elastic Cloud can add significant costs.

OpenSearch, on the other hand, remains fully open-source with no proprietary tiers. It integrates well with AWS OpenSearch Service, which provides a cost-effective hosting option for businesses that prefer not to manage their infrastructure. For companies on tight budgets or those looking to maximize value, OpenSearch is often the better choice.

Choosing between flexibility and convenience often depends on your team’s expertise and operational requirements. Elasticsearch offers a diverse ecosystem, including tools like Kibana for data visualization and Elastic Cloud for managed deployments. These tools simplify the setup process and provide turnkey solutions, making Elasticsearch appealing to organizations that value convenience and speed. However, relying heavily on Elastic’s proprietary tools could limit long-term flexibility.

OpenSearch takes the opposite approach, embracing complete open-source freedom. It allows organizations to fully customize their deployments and integrate third-party tools without restrictions. This flexibility is particularly valuable for teams with specific technical needs or those aiming to avoid vendor lock-in.

The availability and quality of support are crucial when deploying a search platform, especially for critical applications. Elastic offers enterprise-grade support for Elasticsearch users, including service-level agreements (SLAs), direct access to experts, and professional training. This centralized support can be a significant advantage for businesses that need reliable assistance for high-stakes deployments.

OpenSearch provides community-driven support, with forums and documentation maintained by a growing community of developers. For businesses requiring more formal support, third-party vendors offer paid assistance for OpenSearch. While OpenSearch’s support ecosystem is strong, it may not match the smooth experience provided by Elastic’s dedicated services.

Your team’s technical expertise will influence how easily you can deploy and manage either platform. Elasticsearch is known for its user-friendly documentation and tools, which make it accessible for beginners. Managed services like Elastic Cloud further reduce the complexity of setting up and maintaining the platform. However, advanced features like machine learning and scripting may still require specialized knowledge.

OpenSearch is similar to earlier versions of Elasticsearch, making it easy to pick up for those familiar with Elasticsearch’s architecture. However, teams will need to take a more active role in managing updates, resolving issues, and integrating additional tools. Organizations with experienced DevOps teams or a commitment to open-source will find OpenSearch a flexible and rewarding option.

If you decide that Elasticsearch is the best option for your business, securing your deployment should be a top priority. Elasticsearch’s free tier does not include advanced security features by default, but this is where Search Guard can step in.

Search Guard is a comprehensive security plugin designed specifically for Elasticsearch. It provides essential features like role-based access control (RBAC), encryption for data at rest and in transit, and auditing capabilities to help meet compliance standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2. For businesses that value security but want to avoid the higher costs of Elastic’s proprietary features, Search Guard is an excellent alternative. Its robust security features ensure that your Elasticsearch deployment is not only powerful but also secure and compliant.

By using Search Guard, businesses can achieve enterprise-grade protection for their Elasticsearch clusters while keeping costs manageable and maintaining flexibility.

Choosing between OpenSearch and Elasticsearch depends on your organization’s needs and priorities. Elasticsearch offers great tools and enterprise support, making it ideal for businesses looking for a turnkey solution. OpenSearch provides flexibility and cost savings, perfect for teams comfortable with managing open-source tools.

If you’re still undecided, Eliatra’s experts can guide you through the evaluation process and help you build a tailored solution, whether you choose OpenSearch or Elasticsearch. And if you choose Elasticsearch, pairing it with Search Guard ensures your deployment is secure, compliant, and ready to meet the demands of your business.