Milvus vs Qdrant: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Milvus and Qdrant comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need managed databases features specifically
- • Milvus is an open-source vector database for AI similarity search
- • It handles billion-scale vector search for recommendation and AI applications
Qdrant
Vector database for similarity search
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.6/10)
- • You need vector databases features specifically
- • Qdrant is a vector database for AI similarity search applications
- • It stores and queries high-dimensional vectors with filtering support
| At a Glance |  Milvus |  Qdrant |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Managed Databases | Vector Databases |
Rating | 86/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Milvus | Qdrant |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Managed DatabasesVector Databases | Vector DatabasesAI Model Deployment |
How Milvus and Qdrant Compare
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Free · 86/100 score
Qdrant
Vector database for similarity search
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Milvus is a managed databases tool. Qdrant is in vector databases.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Milvus is free. Qdrant is freemium.
Go with: Milvus
Want the highest-rated option?
Milvus: 86/100. Qdrant: 88/100.
Go with: Qdrant
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Qdrant
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Milvus is free. Qdrant is freemium. Go with Milvus if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Milvus is a managed databases tool. Qdrant is in vector databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Qdrant scores higher: 88/100 vs 86/100.
Key Takeaways
Qdrant
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 86
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Milvus
- Completely free
- Better fit for managed databases
The Bottom Line
Qdrant (88/100) is our pick. That said, Milvus is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Milvus or Qdrant better?
Qdrant scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Milvus is free and Qdrant is freemium.
What are Milvus and Qdrant used for?
Milvus: Open-source vector database for AI. Qdrant: Vector database for similarity search.
What does Milvus cost vs Qdrant?
Milvus is completely free. Qdrant is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.