Finding the right site search and personalization tool can make or break your online store's conversion rate.
While Clerk.io has earned strong recognition for its AI-powered search and product recommendations, it's not the perfect fit for every merchant.
Whether you're after more advanced features, better pricing, or different platform integrations, there are plenty of alternatives worth exploring.
Here are seven of the best Clerk.io alternatives available in 2026, comparing their features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you find the right match for your store.
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What is Clerk.io?
Clerk.io is an e-commerce personalization platform that helps online stores improve customer experience through AI-powered search, product recommendations, and email personalization.
It integrates with major platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and Magento.
The platform scores 4.7 out of 5 stars on Capterra based on 20 reviews, with users praising its ease of use and customer support.
Pricing starts at $99 per month, making it accessible for small to mid-size stores while offering enterprise features for larger catalogs.
Clerk.io works well for many merchants, but you might be looking elsewhere if you need more advanced AI capabilities, different pricing structures, or specific integrations that Clerk.io doesn't offer.
Top 7 Clerk.io alternatives compared
Here's a quick comparison before we dive into the details:
1. Klevu
Klevu's been recognized as a leader in AI-powered e-commerce search.
The platform uses advanced natural language processing to understand customer intent, even when shoppers use vague or typo-ridden queries.
Key features:
- Semantic search that understands context and intent
- Multilingual support for global stores
- Advanced merchandising controls
- Real-time analytics and reporting
- Gartner-recognized solution (Market Guide 2021 for Digital Commerce Search)
Pricing: Klevu previously started at $449 per month, but the company has recently been acquired by Athos Commerce.
Current pricing is now managed through the parent company and requires a custom quote.
Pros:
- Highly advanced AI specifically designed for e-commerce
- Strong multilingual capabilities
- Recognized by industry analysts
Cons:
- Higher price point than many alternatives
- Complex setup for smaller stores
- Recent acquisition may affect product direction
Best for: Mid-market to enterprise e-commerce businesses that need sophisticated AI search capabilities and serve international markets.
2. Searchspring
Searchspring positions itself as the #1 search, merchandising, and personalization platform built exclusively for e-commerce.
Founded in 2007, the company now operates under Athos Commerce alongside Klevu.
Key features:
- Visual merchandising with drag-and-drop controls
- Real-time 1:1 personalization
- A/B testing for search and category pages
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Strong fashion and lifestyle brand focus
Pricing: Starts at $599 per month. Enterprise pricing is custom based on catalog size and traffic.
Pros:
- Best-in-class visual merchandising tools
- Easy-to-use interface for non-technical teams
- Strong customer base including Chubbies, Pura Vida, and Fabletics
Cons:
- Premium pricing may be overkill for small catalogs
- Focused heavily on fashion/lifestyle (may not suit all verticals)
- Now part of larger Athos Commerce portfolio
Best for: Fashion, lifestyle, and consumer brands that need strong visual merchandising and have the budget for a premium solution.
3. Algolia
Algolia takes a developer-first approach, offering a highly customizable API platform that powers search for thousands of e-commerce sites.
Unlike plug-and-play solutions, Algolia gives you the building blocks to create the exact search experience you want.
Key features:
- Developer-friendly API with extensive documentation
- Algolia Search for custom implementations
- Algolia Recommend for "frequently bought together" and related items
- Real-time indexing and analytics
- AI-powered relevance tuning
Pricing: Algolia offers a free tier with basic search capabilities. Paid plans are usage-based, depending on the number of search requests and records indexed.
This makes it accessible for startups while scaling to enterprise needs.
Pros:
- Highly customizable for unique use cases
- Industry-leading search speed (under 100ms response time)
- 100+ integrations including all major e-commerce platforms
- Free tier allows testing before committing
Cons:
- Requires technical expertise to implement
- Not a plug-and-play solution for non-technical merchants
- Pricing can become expensive at high traffic volumes
Best for: Technical teams, developers, and businesses that need highly customized search implementations or have unique requirements that off-the-shelf solutions can't meet.
4. Nosto
Nosto calls itself the world's first Commerce Experience Platform (CXP), going beyond search to offer a full suite of personalization tools.
If you're looking for an end-to-end solution rather than just site search, Nosto is worth considering.
Key features:
- Product recommendations across the customer journey
- Content personalization for dynamic experiences
- Site search (through partnerships/integrations)
- User-generated content integration
- A/B testing and optimization
- Real-time personalization based on shopper behavior
Pricing: Custom enterprise pricing. Nosto targets mid-market to enterprise clients and requires contacting sales for a demo and quote.
Pros:
- Comprehensive platform beyond just search
- Real-time data updates for true personalization
- Strong brand portfolio including SKKN by Kim, Vuori, and Kylie Cosmetics
- Good for creating cohesive customer experiences
Cons:
- Enterprise pricing puts it out of reach for smaller stores
- Complex implementation compared to standalone search tools
- May include features you don't need if you only want search
Best for: Enterprise and mid-market brands wanting an end-to-end personalization platform rather than just a search tool, especially in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle verticals.
5. Fast Simon
Fast Simon (formerly InstantSearch+) focuses on visual discovery and AI-powered merchandising.
With over 20,000 stores using the platform, it's particularly popular among fashion and accessory brands.
Key features:
- Visual AI for visual search and similarity matching
- Smart collections with automated product ranking
- Hyper tagging for better product discovery
- Real-time 1:1 personalization
- Visual merchandising controls
- Shopify-native deep integration
Pricing: Custom pricing based on store size and requirements. Contact sales for a demo and quote.
Pros:
- Advanced visual AI capabilities for image-based search
- Strong Shopify and Shopify Plus integration
- No-code setup for easy implementation
- Good for visual-heavy product catalogs
Cons:
- Limited to supported platforms (Shopify, BigCommerce, Magento, WooCommerce, Wix)
- Custom pricing means no transparent self-serve option
- May be overkill for stores without visual products
Best for: Fashion, footwear, accessories, and home decor brands with visual-heavy catalogs that want to leverage visual discovery and AI merchandising.
6. Expertrec
Expertrec offers an affordable entry point into AI-powered search without sacrificing core functionality.
With a 4.8 out of 5 rating on SourceForge and over 700 customers, it's a solid choice for budget-conscious merchants.
Key features:
- AI site search with machine learning
- Voice search capabilities
- Visual merchandising and searchandising
- Product recommendations
- ChatGPT-powered chatbot integration (on higher tiers)
- Semantic search with context understanding
Pricing:
All plans include a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.
Pros:
- No-code setup for easy implementation
- More affordable than enterprise alternatives
- Claims to reduce zero-result searches by 90%
- Works with all major platforms including WordPress and Squarespace
Cons:
- Less advanced AI than premium enterprise alternatives
- Monthly request limits on lower tiers
- Smaller brand recognition compared to Algolia or Nosto
Best for: Small to mid-size stores looking for affordable AI search with easy setup and no technical requirements.
7. Zevi
Zevi is the most budget-friendly option on this list, making AI-powered search accessible to growing stores that aren't ready for enterprise pricing.
Key features:
- NLP and machine learning-powered search
- Intent understanding beyond keywords
- Personalized search results
- Search data analytics
- Easy setup and integration
Pricing: Starts at $29 per month, making it the most affordable option for AI search.
Pros:
- Very affordable entry point
- Quick setup process
- Good AI capabilities for the price
- Accessible for small and growing stores
Cons:
- Newer player with smaller feature set
- Less established than competitors
- Limited public information about enterprise capabilities
Best for: Growing stores and small businesses that want affordable AI search without the complexity or cost of enterprise solutions.
How to choose the right Clerk.io alternative
With seven solid options, how do you pick the right one? Here's what to consider:
Your e-commerce platform: Not every tool works with every platform.
Algolia and Expertrec offer the widest platform support, while Fast Simon is heavily Shopify-focused. Check integrations before falling in love with features.
Catalog size and complexity: Large catalogs with thousands of SKUs need robust indexing and search speed.
Enterprise tools like Nosto and Searchspring handle this well. Smaller catalogs can get by with lighter solutions like Zevi or Expertrec.
Technical resources: Be honest about your team's capabilities. Algolia offers unlimited customization but requires developers.
Expertrec and Fast Simon offer no-code setups that non-technical teams can handle.
Budget vs. feature needs: It's easy to overbuy. If you only need better site search, you don't need Nosto's full Commerce Experience Platform.
If you're doing $10M+ annually, the premium tools likely pay for themselves in conversion lifts.
Free trials: Every tool on this list offers some form of trial or free tier. Test with your actual catalog and real customer queries before committing.
What looks good in a demo may not work with your specific products.
Improve your store's customer experience with AI
Better site search is just one piece of the customer experience puzzle.
While these tools help shoppers find products, you also need to consider how you handle customer questions and support.
At Ringly.io, we help e-commerce stores automate their phone support with Seth, our AI phone agent.
Just like these search tools use AI to understand customer intent, Seth handles inbound calls 24/7, answering questions about orders, processing returns, and escalating only when necessary.
The combination of smart search and AI-powered support creates a cohesive experience: customers find what they want, and when they call, they get instant help.
No more missed calls during peak hours or after closing time.
If you're already investing in AI for product discovery, consider extending that to your phone support.
You can start a free trial and see how Seth handles your call volume.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Clerk.io alternative offers the best value for small businesses?
For small businesses, Zevi at $29/month or Expertrec at $299/month (yearly) offer the best entry points. Both provide AI-powered search without enterprise pricing. If you need a free option to start, Algolia has a generous free tier.
Are there any free Clerk.io alternatives?
Algolia offers a free tier with basic search capabilities, making it the best free option. However, you'll hit limits as you scale. For completely free solutions, you might need to build something custom using open-source tools like Elasticsearch, though that requires significant technical expertise.
Which alternative is best for Shopify stores specifically?
Fast Simon offers the deepest Shopify integration and is purpose-built for the platform. Searchspring and Nosto also have strong Shopify support. For budget-conscious Shopify merchants, Expertrec offers solid functionality at a lower price point.
How do these alternatives compare for enterprise-level stores?
For enterprise stores, Nosto and Searchspring lead with comprehensive platforms and dedicated support. Klevu (now Athos Commerce) offers advanced AI for large catalogs. Algolia scales well for high-traffic sites but requires technical resources to manage.
Can I switch from Clerk.io without losing my search data?
Most alternatives offer migration tools or services to import your product catalog and search analytics. Algolia and Expertrec specifically mention migration assistance. However, historical search data and learned AI models typically don't transfer, so expect a brief learning period as the new system understands your customers.
