pgvector vs Milvus: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between pgvector and Milvus 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.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
pgvector
Vector similarity search for PostgreSQL
Best for you if:
- • You need data & databases features specifically
- • pgvector is an open-source PostgreSQL extension for vector similarity search, allowing users to store and query vectors directly within their database.
- • It supports various distance metrics (L2, inner product, cosine, L1, Hamming, Jaccard) and vector types (single-precision, half-precision, binary, sparse).
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Best for you if:
- • You need vector 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
| At a Glance |  pgvector |  Milvus |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free | Pay-as-you-go/moZilliz Serverless |
Best For | Data & Databases | Vector Databases |
Rating | - | - |
Choose pgvector or Milvus?
Choose pgvector if
Vector similarity search for PostgreSQL
- Native PostgreSQL
- No separate service
- Open source
- Your work is data & databases-shaped, not vector databases-shaped
Choose Milvus if
Open-source vector database for AI
- High performance
- Scalable
- Open source
- Your work is vector databases-shaped, not data & databases-shaped
| Feature | pgvector | Milvus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Free |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.7/5 11 reviews |
| Categories | Data & DatabasesVector Databases | Vector DatabasesData & Databases |
In-Depth Analysis
pgvector
Vector similarity search for PostgreSQL
Strengths
- +Native PostgreSQL
- +No separate service
- +Open source
Weaknesses
- -PostgreSQL only
- -Limited compared to specialized DBs
Key features
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Strengths
- +High performance
- +Scalable
- +Open source
- +Good for large scale
- +Active development
Weaknesses
- -Complex operations
- -Heavy resource usage
- -Learning curve
- -Kubernetes recommended
- -Documentation dense
Key features
Pricing: pgvector vs Milvus
| Plan | pgvector | Milvus |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Open Source | Free Open Source |
| Tier 2 | N/A | Free Zilliz Cloud Free |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Pay-as-you-go Zilliz Serverless |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $99 Zilliz Dedicated |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on pgvector pricing and Milvus pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are free. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: pgvector
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: pgvector
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Milvus
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are free. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
pgvector is a data & databases tool. Milvus is in vector databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Milvus
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
pgvector
- Better fit for data & databases
The Bottom Line
Milvus is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pgvector or Milvus better?
Milvus is rated in our evaluation. Both are free.
What are pgvector and Milvus used for?
pgvector: Vector similarity search for PostgreSQL. Milvus: Open-source vector database for AI.
What does pgvector cost vs Milvus?
pgvector is completely free. Milvus is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.