Qdrant vs Zilliz
Which Infrastructure AI tool is better in 2026?
Qdrant
High-performance vector search engine built in Rust for production-grade AI retrieval.
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 | Qdrant | Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
| Taglinei | High-performance vector search engine built in Rust for production-grade AI retrieval. | Fully managed vector database for AI, built by the creators of Milvus |
| Foundedi | 2021 | 2017🏆 |
| HQi | Berlin, DE | Redwood City, United States |
| Employeesi | 51-200🏆 | 200 |
| Neuron scorei | 55 | 75🏆 |
| Total fundingi | $50M | $113M🏆 |
| Latest roundi | Series B · Mar 2026 | series_b · Aug 2022 |
| Valuationi | — | — |
| Cheapest paid plani | — | Pricing not disclosed |
| Free plani | ✓ Free | ✓ |
| Free triali | ✓ | ✓ |
| Top tier pricei | Hybrid Cloud · Contact sales | Pricing not disclosed |
| Pricing summaryi | 4 published plans | Free |
| Categoriesi |
Capability matrix
Developer-facing capabilities and access signals for Qdrant and Zilliz.
| Capability | Qdrant | Zilliz |
|---|---|---|
| MCP support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Public API | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✗ |
| OAuth 2.0 | ✗ | ✗ |
| SDK languages | 6 (Python, TypeScript, Rust, Go…) | 5 (Python, Node.js, Go, Java…) |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Verified | ✗ | ✗ |
| Active deal | ✗ | ✗ |
🟢 Strengths of Qdrant
- Newer company (2021)
🔵 Strengths of Zilliz
- Has raised more capital ($113M vs $50M)
- Higher Neuron score (75 vs 55)
- 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.
Frequently asked questions
Qdrant vs Zilliz — which is better?
It depends on your priority. Qdrant is the leaner option; Zilliz has broader feature depth. See the side-by-side table above.
Is Qdrant cheaper than Zilliz?
No — Zilliz's cheapest paid plan is Free, while Qdrant's is Free.
Do Qdrant and Zilliz offer free plans?
Qdrant: Yes, has a free plan. Zilliz: Yes, has a free plan.
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