Elasticsearch has long been the go-to platform for real-time search and analytics, enabling organizations to manage and analyze massive datasets with speed and precision. However, since Elastic changed its licence from Apache 2.0 to the Server Side Public License (SSPL) in 2021, the open-source community has taken a different path, leading to the birth of OpenSearch, a fork led by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Both platforms now offer similar core functionalities, but there are crucial differences in licensing, ecosystem, governance, and long-term strategy that organizations must consider when deciding which solution to adopt.
Elasticsearch: enterprise-grade and innovation-driven
Elasticsearch, developed and maintained by Elastic, continues to evolve as part of the broader Elastic Stack, which includes Kibana, Beats, and Logstash. It is a commercial product with open components and offers both free and paid tiers, including advanced features under the Elastic Licence.
Key advantages of Elasticsearch:
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Mature ecosystem: Fully integrated with the Elastic Stack, offering out-of-the-box visualization, ingestion, and security tools.
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Innovation velocity: Rapid updates, machine learning features, and integrations with observability and security use cases.
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Commercial support: Backed by Elastic with enterprise-grade SLAs, support, training, and managed services.
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Elastic Cloud: A managed solution available across multiple cloud providers.
OpenSearch: fully open-source and community-led
OpenSearch is an open-source fork of Elasticsearch 7.10 and Kibana 7.10, created by AWS after the licensing change. It remains under the Apache 2.0 license and is governed by a community-driven model.
Key characteristics of OpenSearch:
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Truly open-source: Maintains a permissive Apache 2.0 license, which is attractive for vendors and organizations prioritizing open governance.
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AWS-native integration: Seamless integration with AWS services, especially for users of Amazon OpenSearch Service.
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Community governance: Development is shaped by the broader community, with contributions from various stakeholders.
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Similar interface: Based on Elasticsearch 7.10, OpenSearch retains compatibility with many existing Elasticsearch APIs and features.
How do you choose between Elasticsearch and OpenSearch?
The decision depends on your organization's priorities, such as licensing requirements, feature needs, and long-term roadmap.
| Criteria | Elasticsearch | OpenSearch |
|---|---|---|
| License | SSPL (commercial license for newer versions) | Apache 2.0 (open-source) |
| Governance | Controlled by Elastic | Community-led, maintained by AWS |
| Ecosystem | Integrated Elastic Stack with proprietary tools | Basic stack, compatible with Kibana 7.10 fork |
| Cloud offering | Elastic Cloud across AWS, Azure, GCP | Amazon OpenSearch Service (AWS only) |
| Advanced features | Built-in ML, APM, security, observability | Limited, some plugins available |
| Updates and innovation | Fast-paced development and new features | Slower, depending on community contributions |
| Support | Commercial support from Elastic | AWS support (for Amazon OpenSearch Service) |
Syone's recommendation: focus on business value
As an Elite Elastic Partner and the only official Portuguese Partner, Syone recommends Elasticsearch for organizations that prioritize innovation, security, and performance. With Elastic’s robust roadmap and enterprise features, it is ideal for:
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Real-time analytics and observability
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Security and SIEM use cases
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Complex search applications at scale
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Businesses requiring commercial-grade support and SLAs
However, OpenSearch may offer a good alternative for companies focused on open-source governance, with simpler use cases and a strong reliance on AWS.
Conclusion
While OpenSearch and Elasticsearch share a common origin, they are now distinct solutions with different strengths. Elasticsearch remains the top choice for organizations seeking advanced features, enterprise support, and continuous innovation. OpenSearch appeals to those who prefer a fully open-source solution and are comfortable with community-driven development.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your technical requirements, licensing preferences, and long-term strategy. With Syone’s expertise in Elasticsearch and the Elastic Stack, we help clients evaluate and implement the best solution to meet their business goals.
Explore more at https://www.syone.com/elastic.
