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Machine Learning & Data Science · head to head

BentoML vs Milvus

BentoML logo

BentoML

Machine Learning & Data Science

Build production-ready ML applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Milvus logo

Milvus

Machine Learning & Data Science

Open-source vector database for scalable similarity search

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: BentoML core BentoML framework is Apache 2.0 and free, but the managed BentoCloud enterprise tier has no published pricing: the README instructs buyers to sign up for personal access or contact sales for enterprise use, with no rate card shown.; Milvus vector dimensions are capped at 32,768
  • They diverge on capability: BentoML covers Model packaging, Milvus covers Billion-scale vectors.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which BentoML and Milvus actually diverge.

Attributes where BentoML and Milvus differ
AttributeBentoMLMilvus
PlatformsLinux, Mac, WindowsLinux, Mac, Windows, Web
Founded20192017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Machine Learning & Data Science).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in BentoML

  • Model packaging
  • REST API generation
  • Adaptive batching
  • Multi-framework support
  • Container deployment
  • scikit-learn
  • XGBoost
  • Docker

Only in Milvus

  • Billion-scale vectors
  • Multiple index types
  • GPU acceleration
  • Hybrid search
  • Data partitioning
  • Hugging Face
  • LangChain
  • LlamaIndex

Both cover

  • PyTorch
  • TensorFlow
  • Linux support
  • Mac support
  • Windows support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

BentoML

  • Machine learningnot Milvus
  • Data analysisnot Milvus
  • Model trainingnot Milvus
  • Predictive analyticsnot Milvus

Milvus

  • Self hosting a vector database for semantic searchnot BentoML
  • Storing and querying embeddings for retrieval augmented generationnot BentoML
  • Similarity search over images, audio or text at scalenot BentoML

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

BentoML

  • Core BentoML framework is Apache 2.0 and free, but the managed BentoCloud enterprise tier has no published pricing: the README instructs buyers to sign up for personal access or contact sales for enterprise use, with no rate card shown.

Milvus

  • Vector dimensions are capped at 32,768
  • A collection is limited to 64 fields, 1,024 partitions and 16 shards
  • Only 1 index is allowed per field
  • Search returns at most 16,384 vectors as top-k, and nq is capped at 16,384
  • Input and output per RPC is capped at 64 MB for insert, search and query
  • VARCHAR values are limited to 65,535 characters
  • Data loaded into query nodes cannot exceed 90% of available memory
  • An instance supports at most 65,536 collections

Pricing, plan by plan

BentoML

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Model packaging
    • API creation
    • Local serving
  • BentoCloudFree
    • Managed deployment
    • Auto-scaling
    • Monitoring

Milvus

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • Full features
    • Self-hosted
    • Community support
  • Zilliz CloudFree
    • Managed service
    • Free tier available

Which should you pick?

Choose BentoML if

  • You need model packaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows.
  • You also want rest api generation.
BentoML review

Choose Milvus if

  • You need billion-scale vectors.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Mac, Windows, Web.
  • You also want multiple index types.
Milvus review

Questions people ask

Is BentoML or Milvus better?
Neither clearly leads. BentoML starts at Free and Milvus at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, BentoML or Milvus?
BentoML starts at Free and Milvus at Free.
Does BentoML or Milvus run on more platforms?
BentoML runs on Linux, Mac, Windows. Milvus runs on Linux, Mac, Windows, Web.
Can I use BentoML for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is BentoML best used for?
BentoML is most often used for machine learning, data analysis, model training, predictive analytics. Of those, machine learning and data analysis are not what Milvus is typically brought in for.
What can BentoML do that Milvus cannot?
BentoML covers Model packaging, REST API generation, Adaptive batching, Multi-framework support. Milvus covers Billion-scale vectors, Multiple index types, GPU acceleration, Hybrid search. Both handle PyTorch, TensorFlow, Linux support, Mac support.
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