Vespa.ai vs Zilliz
Which Infrastructure AI tool is better in 2026?
Vespa.ai
Big-data serving engine for vector and lexical search
Zilliz
Fully managed vector database for AI, built by the creators of Milvus
Side-by-side
Zilliz is the more established option (raised $113M); pricing is comparable on both sides.
| Metric | Vespa.ai | Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | Big-data serving engine for vector and lexical search | Fully managed vector database for AI, built by the creators of Milvus |
| Foundedi | 2023 | 2017🏆 |
| HQi | Trondheim, NO | Redwood City, United States |
| Employeesi | 51-100🏆 | 200 |
| Neuron scorei | 82🏆 | 75 |
| Total fundingi | $31M | $113M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series A · Nov 2023 | 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 Vespa.ai and Zilliz.
| Capability | Vespa.ai | Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Public API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✓ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✓ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 3 (python, java, rest) | 5 (Python, Node.js, Go, Java…) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✓ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Vespa.ai
- Higher Neuron score (82 vs 75)
- Newer company (2023)
🔵 Strengths of Zilliz
- Has raised more capital ($113M vs $31M)
- More mature (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 Zilliz if you want the most established option — it has raised $113M, 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.
💸 Deals
Vespa Cloud — $300 in free trial credits
New Vespa Cloud accounts get $300 in trial credits to spin up production-grade vector + lexical search.
Terms: New accounts only. Expires after 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
Vespa.ai vs Zilliz — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Vespa.ai is the leaner option; Zilliz has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Vespa.ai cheaper than Zilliz?
No — Zilliz's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Vespa.ai's is Free.
Do Vespa.ai and Zilliz offer free plans?
Vespa.ai: Yes, has a free plan. Zilliz: Yes, has a free plan.
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