Zilliz vs Milvus: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Zilliz 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.
Bottom line: Milvus wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. Pick Zilliz if you need data & databases.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Zilliz
Cloud vector database for similarity search
Best for you if:
- • You want managed Milvus
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Zilliz requires payment)
| At a Glance | Zilliz | Milvus |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free Free plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Data & Databases Cloud & Infrastructure | Vector Databases Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 53 reviews | 4.8/5 Capterra 4.8 · G2 4.7 310 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Overage fees for exceeding storage limits | Overage fees for vCUs on Serverless tier |
Choose Zilliz or Milvus?
Choose Zilliz if
- You want managed Milvus
- You want good for vectors
- You work in data & databases, not vector databases
Choose Milvus if
- You want a fully free tool (Zilliz requires payment)
- You want high performance
- You want scalable
- You work in vector databases, not data & databases
In-Depth Analysis
Zilliz
Cloud vector database for similarity search
Zilliz's pricing is fair, offering a generous free tier for initial exploration.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding storage limits
Strengths
- Pro: Managed Milvus
- Pro: Good for vectors
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Good performance
- Pro: Enterprise ready
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Vendor lock-in
- Con: Feature gaps
- Con: Per-CU pricing
Key features
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Milvus offers a very generous pricing model, especially with its robust open-source option and the Zilliz Cloud Free tier providing 5GB storage and 2.5M vCUs/month at no cost.
Watch out
Overage fees for vCUs on Serverless tier
Strengths
- Pro: High performance
- Pro: Scalable
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Good for large scale
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex operations
- Con: Heavy resource usage
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Kubernetes recommended
- Con: Documentation dense
Key features
Pricing: Zilliz vs Milvus
| Plan | Zilliz | Milvus |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Open Source |
| Tier 2 | N/A | Free Zilliz Cloud Free |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Pay-as-you-go Zilliz Serverless |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $99 Zilliz Dedicated |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Zilliz pricing and Milvus pricing.
Key Takeaways
Milvus
- Higher user rating: 4.8/5 vs 4.7/5
- Larger review base (310 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Zilliz
- Better fit for data & databases
The Bottom Line
Milvus wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zilliz or Milvus better in 2026?
Milvus wins this matchup. PostgreSQL is our overall Data & Databases pick. PostgreSQL is our free Data & Databases pick. Pick Zilliz for data & databases workflows (main strength: managed Milvus). Pick Milvus for vector databases workflows (main strength: high performance).
What are Zilliz and Milvus used for?
Zilliz: Cloud vector database for similarity search. Milvus: Open-source vector database for AI.
What does Zilliz cost vs Milvus?
Zilliz pricing is on their site. Milvus's paid plans start at Free (Zilliz Dedicated).
What's the main difference between Zilliz and Milvus?
Zilliz's main strength: managed Milvus. Milvus's main strength: high performance.