Ayar Labs vs Zilliz
Which Infrastructure AI tool is better in 2026?
Ayar Labs
Optical I/O chiplets that replace electrical interfaces with light to move data in and out of
Zilliz
Fully managed vector database for AI, built by the creators of Milvus
Side-by-side
Ayar Labs is the more established option (raised $155M), but Zilliz is cheaper to start.
| Metric | Ayar Labs | Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Optical I/O chiplets that replace electrical interfaces with light to move data in and out of | Fully managed vector database for AI, built by the creators of Milvus |
| Foundedi | — | 2017🏆 |
| HQi | — | Redwood City, United States |
| Employeesi | 11-50 | 200🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 74 | 75🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $155M🏆 | $113M |
| Latest roundi | Series D | series_b · Aug 2022 |
| Valuationi | — | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed🏆 |
| Free plani | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Pricing not disclosed | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | Free | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Ayar Labs and Zilliz.
| Capability | Ayar Labs | Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | — | 5 (Python, Node.js, Go, Java…) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Ayar Labs
- Has raised more capital ($155M vs $113M)
🔵 Strengths of Zilliz
- Higher Neuron score (75 vs 74)
- Newer company (2017)
Which should you choose?
Choose Zilliz if price matters most — it starts at Free, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both AI Infrastructure tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Ayar Labs if you want the most established option — it has raised $155M, suggesting more runway for enterprise features, support, and long-term roadmap. For mission-critical workflows or larger teams, that stability often outweighs a lower monthly price.
Frequently asked questions
Ayar Labs vs Zilliz — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Ayar Labs has raised more capital and is the more established option; Zilliz is cheaper to start. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Ayar Labs cheaper than Zilliz?
No — Zilliz's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Ayar Labs's is Free.
Do Ayar Labs and Zilliz offer free plans?
Ayar Labs: Yes, has a free plan. Zilliz: Yes, has a free plan.
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