Zep Memory vs Chroma: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Zep Memory and Chroma 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:
Zep Memory
Build personalized, fast, and reliable AI agents with comprehensive, evolving memory.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need ai agents features specifically
- • Provides comprehensive, evolving memory for AI agents.
- • Unifies chat history, business data, and user interactions into a temporal knowledge graph.
Chroma
Open-source vector database for AI applications
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need managed databases features specifically
- • Chroma is an open-source vector database designed for building AI applications with embeddings
- • It stores and queries vector embeddings for semantic search, RAG, and AI memory applications
| At a Glance |  Zep Memory |  Chroma |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | AI Agents | Managed Databases |
Rating | —/100 | 84/100 |
| Feature | Zep Memory | Chroma |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | — | 84 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | AI AgentsVector Databases | Managed DatabasesVector Databases |
How Zep Memory and Chroma Compare
Zep Memory
Build personalized, fast, and reliable AI agents with comprehensive, evolving memory.
Free tier available
Chroma
Open-source vector database for AI applications
Paid · 84/100 score
Zep Memory is a ai agents tool. Chroma is in managed databases.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Zep Memory has a free tier. Chroma is paid only.
Go with: Zep Memory
Want the highest-rated option?
Chroma scores 84/100. Zep Memory is unrated.
Go with: Chroma
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Chroma
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Zep Memory is freemium. Chroma is paid. Zep Memory lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Zep Memory is a ai agents tool. Chroma is in managed databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Chroma
- Higher score: 84/100 vs unrated
- Our pick for this comparison
Zep Memory
- Has a free tier
- Better fit for ai agents
The Bottom Line
Chroma (84/100) is our pick. Zep Memory has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zep Memory or Chroma better?
Chroma scores 84/100 in our evaluation. Zep Memory is freemium and Chroma is paid.
What are Zep Memory and Chroma used for?
Zep Memory: Build personalized, fast, and reliable AI agents with comprehensive, evolving memory.. Chroma: Open-source vector database for AI applications.
What does Zep Memory cost vs Chroma?
Zep Memory is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Chroma is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.