• Instant Search (As-You-Type): Real-time search results while typing with typically under 20ms response time
• NeuralSearch: Combines classic keyword search with semantic vector search for improved relevance
• Merchandising Studio: No-code interface for business users to manage search rules, product promotion, and personalization
• Extensive developer ecosystem: API clients for 10+ languages, InstantSearch UI libraries for React, Vue, Angular, iOS, Android, Flutter. Pre-built platform connectors for Shopify, Magento 2, BigCommerce, commercetools, Salesforce Commerce Cloud B2C, plus several data connectors.
• Open and transparent: Years ago, Algolia set new standards in transparency with its open and comprehensive documentation and free basic accounts.
• API first: Every feature and every configuration is accessable via APIs.

Many years ago when Algolia started to gain momentum, their API-first philosophy, the open documentation and free tiers to play around challenged other players in the search realm. Now Algolia positions itself as an established API-first Search & Discovery platform for developer-driven companies. Algolia has a broader cross-industry footprint, similar to Coveo, Algolia is not e-commerce-only, which gives it scale advantages but also means its e-commerce-specific features may lag behind specialists like Constructor. Algolia has a huge range of features, is known worldwide, and has a large ecosystem. Therefore, the platform should be on every shortlist.