Whoosh
Fast, pure-Python full text indexing, search, and spell checking library.
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you need a pure-Python search library for a new project and can accept the maintenance risk. The low install friction and permissive license make it accessible, but the abandoned status since 2016 means no security updates, Python version compatibility fixes, or performance improvements. Use it for prototypes, research, or internal tools where you control the environment; avoid it for production systems or applications requiring ongoing support.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies, but the project has been abandoned since 2016 with no recent maintenance or updates.
License · maintenance · safety
Two-clause BSD license (permissive) — Licensed under the permissive two-clause BSD license, allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
last release 2016-04-04 (3784 days)
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 1,275,417 downloads/mo, #4,127 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install Whoosh
from whoosh.fields import Schema, TEXT
from whoosh.index import create_in
schema = Schema(title=TEXT, content=TEXT)
index = create_in("indexdir", schema)
writer = index.writer()
writer.add_document(title="Example", content="Sample text")
writer.commit()- Current compatibility with Python versions beyond 3.x (classifiers list Python 3 but no specific minor versions)
- Whether the package remains functional with modern Python releases given its 2016 last release date
- Performance characteristics compared to actively maintained alternatives
What it is and what it does
Whoosh is a full-text search library written entirely in Python, designed to let developers add search and indexing capabilities to applications without needing to compile or install external dependencies. It provides a Pythonic API for creating indexes, performing searches, and includes features like pluggable scoring algorithms (including BM25F), text analysis, and a built-in spell-checker. The library was created for use in Houdini's help system and is maintained as a pure-Python solution suitable for research, prototyping, or scenarios where avoiding compiled dependencies is important.
The package supports fielded indexing and search, allowing you to index and query structured documents. It includes a powerful query language and lets you customize nearly every component—scoring, text analysis, storage format, and posting format—to fit your exact needs. However, the project has not been actively maintained since April 2016, meaning it does not receive bug fixes, security updates, or compatibility improvements for newer Python releases.
Use it for
- Add search functionality to a web application or documentation site without external service dependencies
- Build a research prototype or proof-of-concept search system in pure Python
- Index and search structured documents in a Python application with custom scoring or analysis needs
- Implement spell-checking functionality within a Python application
- Create a searchable help system or knowledge base embedded in a desktop or web application
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you need a pure-Python search library for a new project and can accept the maintenance risk.
The low install friction and permissive license make it accessible, but the abandoned status since 2016 means no security updates, Python version compatibility fixes, or performance improvements. Use it for prototypes, research, or internal tools where you control the environment; avoid it for production systems or applications requiring ongoing support.
Install
whoosh on PyPI
Before you install
Installation is straightforward with no runtime dependencies, but the project has been abandoned since 2016 with no recent maintenance or updates.
License in practice
Licensed under the permissive two-clause BSD license, allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install Whoosh
from whoosh.fields import Schema, TEXT
from whoosh.index import create_in
schema = Schema(title=TEXT, content=TEXT)
index = create_in("indexdir", schema)
writer = index.writer()
writer.add_document(title="Example", content="Sample text")
writer.commit()Verify before relying
- Current compatibility with Python versions beyond 3.x (classifiers list Python 3 but no specific minor versions)
- Whether the package remains functional with modern Python releases given its 2016 last release date
- Performance characteristics compared to actively maintained alternatives
Package facts
| License | Two-clause BSD license permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Abandoned 3,784 days since the last release |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 1,275,417 / month, #4,127 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableIntended Audience :: DevelopersLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: Python :: 2.5Programming Language :: Python :: 3Topic :: Software Development :: Libraries :: Python ModulesTopic :: Text Processing :: Indexing |
Evidence: Whoosh-2.7.4-py2.py3-none-any.whl
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See also Whoosh-Reloaded · django-haystack · pagefind · typesense · llama-index-retrievers-bm25 · bm25s · modelsearch · jieba · meilisearch · pysolr