Pinecone vs Milvus: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Pinecone 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.
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:
Pinecone
Vector database
Best for you if:
- • You need data warehouses features specifically
- • Vector database for AI applications
- • Semantic search at scale
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
| At a Glance |  Pinecone |  Milvus |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Data Warehouses | Managed Databases |
Rating | 86/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Pinecone | Milvus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data WarehousesVector Databases | Managed DatabasesVector Databases |
How Pinecone and Milvus Compare
Pinecone
Vector database
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Free · 86/100 score
Pinecone is a data warehouses tool. Milvus is in managed databases.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Milvus is free. Pinecone is freemium.
Go with: Milvus
Want the highest-rated option?
Pinecone: 86/100. Milvus: 86/100.
Go with: Pinecone
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Pinecone
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Pinecone is freemium. Milvus is free. Go with Milvus if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Pinecone is a data warehouses tool. Milvus is in managed databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both score 86/100.
Key Takeaways
Pinecone
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Milvus
- Completely free
- Better fit for managed databases
The Bottom Line
Pinecone (86/100) is our pick. That said, Milvus is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pinecone or Milvus better?
Pinecone scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Pinecone is freemium and Milvus is free.
What are Pinecone and Milvus used for?
Pinecone: Vector database. Milvus: Open-source vector database for AI.
What does Pinecone cost vs Milvus?
Pinecone is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Milvus is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.