Vespa vs Milvus: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Vespa 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:
Vespa
Search and recommendation engine at scale
Best for you if:
- • You need ai model deployment features specifically
- • Vespa is an open-source big data serving engine for search and AI
- • It handles structured search, recommendation, and machine learning at scale
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • 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 |  Vespa |  Milvus |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | AI Model Deployment | Managed Databases |
Rating | 80/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Vespa | Milvus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AI Model DeploymentPersonalization | Managed DatabasesVector Databases |
How Vespa and Milvus Compare
Vespa
Search and recommendation engine at scale
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Free · 86/100 score
Vespa is a ai model deployment tool. Milvus is in managed databases.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Milvus is free. Vespa is freemium.
Go with: Milvus
Want the highest-rated option?
Vespa: 80/100. Milvus: 86/100.
Go with: Milvus
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Milvus
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Vespa is freemium. Milvus is free. Go with Milvus if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Vespa is a ai model deployment tool. Milvus is in managed databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Milvus scores higher: 86/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Milvus
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 80
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Vespa
- Better fit for ai model deployment
The Bottom Line
Milvus (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vespa or Milvus better?
Milvus scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Vespa is freemium and Milvus is free.
What are Vespa and Milvus used for?
Vespa: Search and recommendation engine at scale. Milvus: Open-source vector database for AI.
What does Vespa cost vs Milvus?
Vespa is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Milvus is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.