Zilliz vs Milvus: Which Should You Choose 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.
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:
Zilliz
Cloud vector database for AI
Best for you if:
- • Zilliz is the company behind Milvus vector database with managed cloud
- • It provides enterprise vector search for AI applications
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • 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 |  Zilliz |  Milvus |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Managed Databases | Managed Databases |
Rating | 84/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Zilliz | Milvus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Managed DatabasesVector Databases | Managed DatabasesVector Databases |
How Zilliz and Milvus Compare
Zilliz
Cloud vector database for AI
Free tier available · 84/100 score
Milvus
Open-source vector database for AI
Free · 86/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Milvus is free. Zilliz is freemium.
Go with: Milvus
Want the highest-rated option?
Zilliz: 84/100. 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?
Zilliz is freemium. Milvus is free. Go with Milvus if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are managed databases tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Milvus scores higher: 86/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Milvus
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 84
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Zilliz
The Bottom Line
Milvus (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zilliz or Milvus better?
Milvus scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Zilliz is freemium and Milvus is free.
What are Zilliz and Milvus used for?
Zilliz: Cloud vector database for AI. Milvus: Open-source vector database for AI.
What does Zilliz cost vs Milvus?
Zilliz is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Milvus is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.