Chroma vs Weaviate
Which Embeddings & RAG AI tool is better in 2026?
Chroma
Open-source search infrastructure for AI with vector, full-text, regex, and metadata search.
Weaviate
Open-source AI-native vector database
Side-by-side
Weaviate is the more established option (raised $50M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Chroma | Weaviate |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Open-source search infrastructure for AI with vector, full-text, regex, and metadata search. | Open-source AI-native vector database |
| Foundedi | 2022 | 2019🏆 |
| HQi | San Francisco, US | Amsterdam, NL |
| Employeesi | 11-50 | 200-500🏆 |
| Neuron scorei | 55🏆 | 51 |
| Total fundingi | $20.3M | $50M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Seed · Apr 2023 | Series C · Oct 2025 |
| Valuationi | $75M | $200M🏆 |
| Cheapest paid plani | — | — |
| Free plani | ✓ Cloud | ✓ Open Source |
| Free triali | ✗ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Enterprise · Contact sales | Weaviate Cloud · Contact sales |
| Pricing summaryi | 2 published plans | 2 published plans |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Chroma and Weaviate.
| Capability | Chroma | Weaviate |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 3 (Python, TypeScript, Rust) | 2 (python, typescript) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✗ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✓ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Chroma
- Higher Neuron score (55 vs 51)
- Newer company (2022)
🔵 Strengths of Weaviate
- Has raised more capital ($50M vs $20.3M)
- Offers a free trial
- More mature (2019)
- Verified profile
Which should you choose?
Choose Weaviate if price matters most — it starts at Open source, which is friendlier for teams watching burn. Both Embeddings & RAG tools ship core features, so the cost delta often decides it for small teams and solo operators.
Choose Weaviate if you want the most established option — it has raised $50M, 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
Chroma vs Weaviate — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Chroma is the leaner option; Weaviate has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Chroma cheaper than Weaviate?
No — Weaviate's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Chroma's is Free.
Do Chroma and Weaviate offer free plans?
Chroma: Yes, has a free plan. Weaviate: Yes, has a free plan.
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