Pinecone vs Weaviate: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Pinecone and Weaviate 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
Weaviate
Open-source vector database with ML
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.6/10)
- • You need ai research features specifically
- • Open-source vector database
- • Run locally or in the cloud
| At a Glance |  Pinecone |  Weaviate |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Data Warehouses | AI Research |
Rating | 86/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Pinecone | Weaviate |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 86 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Data WarehousesVector Databases | AI ResearchVector Databases |
How Pinecone and Weaviate Compare
Pinecone
Vector database
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Weaviate
Open-source vector database with ML
Free tier available · 88/100 score
Pinecone is a data warehouses tool. Weaviate is in ai research.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Pinecone
Want the highest-rated option?
Pinecone: 86/100. Weaviate: 88/100.
Go with: Weaviate
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Weaviate
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Pinecone is a data warehouses tool. Weaviate is in ai research. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Weaviate scores higher: 88/100 vs 86/100.
Key Takeaways
Weaviate
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 86
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Pinecone
- Better fit for data warehouses
The Bottom Line
Weaviate (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pinecone or Weaviate better?
Weaviate scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Pinecone and Weaviate used for?
Pinecone: Vector database. Weaviate: Open-source vector database with ML.
What does Pinecone cost vs Weaviate?
Pinecone is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Weaviate is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.