You want zero per-query costs
Algolia charges for every search request and every record stored. With Sprigr, searches run in the browser. There is no server to bill per query. Your costs stay flat regardless of how popular your search becomes.
Sprigr vs Algolia: Client-Side Search vs Cloud Search
Algolia is the gold standard for hosted search. It powers some of the largest sites on the web. But if you want search that runs entirely in the browser — with zero per-query costs, sub-10ms latency, and no data leaving the client — Sprigr takes a fundamentally different approach.
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How Sprigr's client-side WASM architecture compares to Algolia's cloud API approach.
| Sprigr | Algolia | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Client-side WASM | Cloud API |
| Search latency | <10ms (local computation) | 20–200ms (network round-trip) |
| Pricing model | Flat fee | Per-query + per-record |
| Free tier | 6 months full access | 10K searches/mo |
| Data privacy | Zero server-side processing | Queries logged on Algolia servers |
| Offline support | Yes | No |
| Setup complexity | One script tag | SDK + dashboard configuration |
| Analytics | Built-in click tracking | Separate analytics product |
| Index size limit | ~50K records (client-side) | Millions of records |
| API compatibility | Algolia-compatible REST API | Native |
When to choose Sprigr
Sprigr is the better fit when these priorities matter most to your project.
Privacy and GDPR are a priority
With Sprigr, search queries never leave the user's browser. No data is sent to third-party servers, no queries are logged externally, and no cross-border data transfers occur. This simplifies GDPR compliance significantly.
You need sub-10ms latency with no network dependency
Every search query in Sprigr runs as local WASM computation. There is no network hop, no DNS lookup, no TLS handshake. Results appear in under 10 milliseconds — even on slow connections, even offline.
When to choose Algolia
Algolia is an excellent product. Here is where it genuinely outperforms a client-side approach.
You need 100M+ records
Client-side search has a practical ceiling. Loading tens of millions of records into a browser is not feasible. If your index exceeds roughly 50,000 records, Algolia's server-side infrastructure handles that scale natively.
You need AI re-ranking and personalization
Algolia has invested heavily in machine learning features: dynamic re-ranking based on user behavior, personalized results, and AI-powered synonym detection. These features require server-side processing that a client-side engine cannot replicate.
You need enterprise SLAs and support
Algolia provides dedicated support engineers, custom SLAs with guaranteed uptime, and enterprise-grade compliance certifications. If your organization requires formal support agreements and vendor accountability, Algolia delivers that at scale.
Migrating from Algolia to Sprigr
Sprigr's REST API is designed to be Algolia-compatible. The record format you already use — JSON objects with searchable and retrievable attributes — works with Sprigr out of the box. In most cases, migration means updating your API endpoint and swapping your API key.
On the frontend, you replace the Algolia JavaScript client with Sprigr's single script tag. The WASM module handles search locally, so you remove the network-dependent search calls and let the browser do the work. The result is simpler code with fewer moving parts.
For teams currently using Algolia's analytics, Sprigr includes built-in click and conversion tracking. Search analytics, popular queries, and click-through data are all available in the Sprigr admin dashboard without any additional configuration or third-party scripts.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to migrate from Algolia to Sprigr?
Sprigr's REST API is designed to be Algolia-compatible. Most migrations involve updating the API endpoint and key. The record format, search parameters, and response structure are similar enough that many integrations work with minimal code changes.
Is Sprigr's API compatible with Algolia's API?
Yes. Sprigr provides an Algolia-compatible REST API for indexing and searching. You can push records in the same JSON format and use similar query parameters. The goal is to make switching as painless as possible.
Can I use Algolia's InstantSearch.js with Sprigr?
Not directly. InstantSearch.js is tightly coupled to Algolia's client libraries. However, Sprigr provides its own lightweight search widget that loads via a single script tag and delivers a similar instant search experience — with the added benefit of client-side WASM performance.
How does Sprigr's pricing compare to Algolia?
Algolia charges per search request and per record, with costs that scale with usage. Sprigr uses a flat-fee model with no per-query charges. Since searches run client-side in the browser, there are no server costs per query. Sprigr also offers a 6-month free trial with full access.
What are the index size limits for Sprigr vs Algolia?
Algolia can handle indexes with hundreds of millions of records on their cloud infrastructure. Sprigr's client-side WASM approach works best for indexes up to approximately 50,000 records — though the exact limit depends on record size and complexity. For larger datasets, Sprigr also provides a server-side REST API as a fallback.
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