Opensolr is a managed Apache Solr hosting platform. You get production-ready Solr indexes in the cloud, without running or maintaining any Solr infrastructure yourself. Here's how everything works, from the infrastructure to billing to your first index.
Global Infrastructure
Opensolr operates data centers across multiple regions worldwide:
US-East / US-West
Canada
EU-East / EU-Central / EU-West
Mainland China / Hong Kong
Australia
Additional regions available on request
Our infrastructure runs primarily on AWS and Hetzner AG bare-metal servers, with the flexibility to accommodate other providers for dedicated plans.
When you create an Opensolr Index, you choose the Solr version and the region closest to your users. Your data stays in that region.
How Your Solr Index Runs
Opensolr runs on large, dedicated bare-metal servers. Each Solr Index is securely containerized, meaning your data and processes are fully isolated from other customers.
Resources are dynamically allocated and scaled globally based on your index's actual usage. This means performance is consistent across all plan types — the difference between plans is not speed, but how much storage, bandwidth, and support you get.
Opensolr offers four types of hosting, depending on your needs:
Shared Solr Cloud
Multiple customers on the same server, resources shared. Indexes are fully isolated (no security concerns). The most affordable option, ideal for normal traffic and smaller projects.
Get started for free
Shared Resilient Cluster
Multiple dedicated servers with load balancing and replicas, but resources are still shared across customers. Better performance under heavy load, at a lower cost than a fully dedicated cluster.
Dedicated Standalone
One server dedicated exclusively to your account. No resource sharing, no noisy neighbors. Great for predictable, stable performance.
Dedicated Cluster
A full cluster of multiple dedicated servers, exclusively for you. Create any number of indexes inside this environment. Includes redundancy, replication, scalability, and multi-region options. Built for enterprise and mission-critical workloads.
Learn more about Dedicated and Resilient Clusters
Billing
All Opensolr plans are pre-paid. There are no hidden costs, no surprise fees, and no overages. What you see on the Pricing Page is exactly what you pay.
Key billing facts:
Pro-rated changes — upgrades and downgrades are calculated to the day. You only pay for what you use.
Flexible customization — start from a pre-defined package on the Pricing Page and customize disk space, bandwidth, index count, and other resources to your exact needs.
Upload your schema (or use a default one) and start indexing data
Free Trial Includes
1 Opensolr Index
50 MB disk space
200 MB monthly bandwidth
Full access to the Control Panel, config editor, and Solr Admin UI
No credit card required
Quick Start with a CMS
Drupal — Install the official Search API Opensolr module. It automates account creation, server connection, and Solr configuration file management. Setup guide.
WordPress — Use the WP-SOLR plugin. Configure your Opensolr connection details in the plugin settings.
Shared vs Standalone vs Dedicated Solr -- Clear & Simple Guide
1. Shared Solr
Multiple customers on the same machine/container.
System resources are shared.
Security is isolated --- not a concern.
Lower cost, ideal for normal traffic.
Possible downsides:
Heavy bot traffic can consume bandwidth and trigger upgrade
alerts.\
In rare cases, a "noisy neighbor" may require relocating your
index to another shared instance (few minutes of downtime to
switch hostname).
2. Shared Resilient Cluster
Multiple dedicated servers working together (load balancing +
replicas), but resources are still shared across all customers.
Better performance under heavy load.
Bot traffic still consumes bandwidth, but the performance impact is
lower.
Designed for customers with higher traffic who don't want the cost
of a fully dedicated cluster.
3. Dedicated Standalone
One machine/container dedicated to a single customer.
No noisy neighbors.
Cheaper than a full dedicated cluster, more expensive than shared.
Great for stable, predictable performance without interference from
other users.
4. Dedicated Cluster Environment
A full cluster (multiple dedicated machines) exclusively for one
customer.
You can create any number of indexes/cluster indexes inside this
dedicated environment.
Ideal for corporate-grade workloads, high traffic, mission‑critical
applications.
Offers redundancy, replication, scalability, and multi-region
options.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Can we host all 5 sites inside one dedicated cluster?
Yes. You only need one dedicated cluster environment. Inside it, you
can create as many indexes as needed.
Can another customer's bot traffic affect our performance on shared?
Rarely, but possible. We monitor these events and may relocate your
index to another instance if needed.
For complete isolation, use Dedicated Standalone or Dedicated
Cluster.
What are the risks of using the Shared Solr 8.11 Cluster in US‑EAST if our servers run in US‑WEST?
Only network latency (~80--130ms).\
You can test this easily during the free trial.\
Normal performance will be similar to dedicated, unless you're under
very heavy load.
Is there any security concern on shared environments?
No. Indexes are fully isolated.
6. Quick Comparison
Option Cost Performance Isolation Best For
Shared Low Medium Low Normal traffic
Shared Medium High Medium High traffic
Resilient without big budget
Cluster
Dedicated Medium‑High Very High Very High Avoiding noisy
Standalone neighbors
Dedicated High Excellent Maximum Enterprise &
Cluster mission‑critical
workloads
Summary
Shared = cheap but shared resources.
Shared Cluster = stronger, still shared.
Dedicated Standalone = private, fast, stable.
Dedicated Cluster = top tier, enterprise-grade.
The Opensolr service runs on a set of resources that determine how you use and scale your search capabilities:
Solr Indexes, Disk Space, Search Traffic Bandwidth, (optionally Clusters)
🚦 Core Resources
Indexes
Standalone Opensolr indexes located in various regions worldwide.
Clusters
Resilient clusters of servers that function as a unified Opensolr index, with added benefits as described here.
Disk Space
The storage used by each of your Opensolr indexes or clusters.
Bandwidth
The outgoing data traffic from Opensolr to your site or app.
⏫ When Should You Upgrade Your Plan?
You’ll typically need to upgrade your plan when:
Your Free Trial is over.
You’ve run out of any one of the above resources (disk, bandwidth, indexes, or clusters).
📈 Example: Out of Disk Space
Suppose you have 1 Opensolr index and it runs out of disk space.
Here’s how to check and upgrade, step by step:
You’ll see a set of pre-defined packages.
However, you can always customize your package to fit your needs:
Move on to the customization area, where you can select more disk space, bandwidth, indexes, clusters, or any other resource:
Need to upgrade another resource?
The process is the same—simply choose more of what you need (indexes, bandwidth, clusters, etc.). All upgrades and downgrades are pro-rated, so you only pay for what you use. 💡
⚡️ Pro Tips
You can upgrade or downgrade at any time.
All changes are instant and flexible.
If you ever need help, Opensolr support is here for you.
Need more detail?
See our full documentation or reach out to support if you hit any snags.
Opensolr now offers a Free Trial membership so you can experience the full power of our cloud platform—no strings attached.
🆓 Free Means Free
NO CREDIT CARD REQUIRED!
You can explore everything Opensolr has to offer without entering any payment information.
Just register for your Free Trial account and get started instantly.
If you keep getting redirected to the Login page, or you are having troubles with placing a new order, after trying to login multiple times, please try to clear the opensolr cookies, or use a different browser.
Opensolr Account Upgrades, Downgrades, and Billing
Overview
When you upgrade or downgrade your Opensolr account, all changes are pro-rated, regardless of your billing period.
This means you only pay (or get credited) for the calculated difference based on the unused days from your current plan.
From the customization dropdowns, choose your new preferred resources (indexes, disk size, bandwidth, etc.).
Confirm your selection.
Your upgrade or downgrade will take effect within 5–10 minutes.
No additional actions are needed after the change is submitted.
Pro-Rated Billing
All upgrades and downgrades are automatically pro-rated.
You are charged or credited only for the remaining days of your existing plan that have not been used.
This includes cases where a recurring payment was rejected and you decide to place a new order instead of simply updating your billing information.
If that happens, please refer to updating your billing information.
Refund Policy
Refunds are available only for new accounts, and only within the first 10 days of using a paid Opensolr service.
In order to download your Opensolr Invoices, simply have to Log in to your Opensolr Account, and use the Top Menu, to click on Billing -> Invoices Dashboard.
Please note that you will have to do this from the main account, and not from a team member's account.
In order to update your billing method, simply have to Log in to your Opensolr Account, visit the Billing Admin Area and follow the instructions there. Please note that you will have to do this from the main account, and not from a team member's account.
In order to update your billing method, simply have to Log in to your Opensolr Account, visit the Billing Admin Area and follow the instructions there. Please note that you will have to do this from the main account, and not from a team member's account.
