Best 2 Qdrant Alternatives in 2026
Qdrant is a vector database that stores and searches high-dimensional data using advanced technology. Unlike traditional databases that store exact text or numbers, Qdrant works with vectors—mathematical representations of complex information. This makes it perfect for finding similar items based on meaning rather than exact matches.
Weaviate
Weaviate
Weaviate is a database designed specifically for AI applications that need to understand the meaning behind data. Unlike regular databases that only match exact words, Weaviate can find information based on what you mean, not just what you type.
It combines traditional database features with vector search technology. This means you can store documents, images, or any type of data, and then search through them using natural language or by similarity. The database handles millions or even billions of items quickly, usually returning results in less than 100 milliseconds.
You can use it for many purposes: building chatbots that answer questions accurately, creating search engines that understand context, making recommendation systems, or organizing large amounts of unstructured data like documents and images.
Milvus
Milvus
Milvus is a database specifically built to store and search vector embeddings. When you use AI models to process text, images, or other data, they create numerical vectors that represent the meaning of that data. Milvus organizes these vectors so you can quickly find similar items.
Unlike traditional databases that work with exact matches, Milvus excels at finding items that are similar in meaning. For example, it can find pictures that look alike or text passages with related concepts, even if the exact words are different.
The database is completely free and open source under Apache 2.0 license. It runs on your own servers or in the cloud, giving you full control over your data and how the system operates.
