Vespa vs Zilliz: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Vespa and Zilliz 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
Zilliz
Cloud vector database for AI
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.0/10)
- • You need managed databases features specifically
- • Zilliz is the company behind Milvus vector database with managed cloud
- • It provides enterprise vector search for AI applications
| At a Glance |  Vespa |  Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | AI Model Deployment | Managed Databases |
Rating | 80/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Vespa | Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 84 |
| 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 Zilliz Compare
Vespa
Search and recommendation engine at scale
Free tier available · 80/100 score
Zilliz
Cloud vector database for AI
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Vespa is a ai model deployment tool. Zilliz is in managed databases.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Vespa
Want the highest-rated option?
Vespa: 80/100. Zilliz: 84/100.
Go with: Zilliz
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Zilliz
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?
Vespa is a ai model deployment tool. Zilliz is in managed databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Zilliz scores higher: 84/100 vs 80/100.
Key Takeaways
Zilliz
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 80
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Vespa
- Better fit for ai model deployment
The Bottom Line
Zilliz (84/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vespa or Zilliz better?
Zilliz scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Vespa and Zilliz used for?
Vespa: Search and recommendation engine at scale. Zilliz: Cloud vector database for AI.
What does Vespa cost vs Zilliz?
Vespa is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Zilliz is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.