Compare
How we stack up
An honest look at how we compare to Algolia and building search yourself.
| Feature | Us | Algolia | DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semantic search | Built-in | Paid add-on | You build it |
| Setup time | Under 10 minutes | Hours to days | Weeks+ |
| Failed query detection | Auto-detected with fix actions | Dashboard only | Custom logging |
| Search tuning | Synonyms, pins, and suppression | Advanced rules editor | Custom code |
| Pricing | Flat $0 – $199/mo | Usage-based | Infra costs |
| Content import | URL, sitemap, CSV, manual | Crawler + API | Custom pipeline |
Semantic search
UsBuilt-in
AlgoliaPaid add-on
DIYYou build it
Setup time
UsUnder 10 minutes
AlgoliaHours to days
DIYWeeks+
Failed query detection
UsAuto-detected with fix actions
AlgoliaDashboard only
DIYCustom logging
Search tuning
UsSynonyms, pins, and suppression
AlgoliaAdvanced rules editor
DIYCustom code
Pricing
UsFlat $0 – $199/mo
AlgoliaUsage-based
DIYInfra costs
Content import
UsURL, sitemap, CSV, manual
AlgoliaCrawler + API
DIYCustom pipeline
When to pick something else
- •Enterprise-scale e-commerce — Algolia excels at product catalog search with merchandising rules. We focus on support content.
- •Full control over infrastructure — If you need custom ranking algorithms or on-prem hosting, building in-house may be worth the investment.