Databases · head to head
Chroma vs PartyKit
Chroma
Databases
Apache 2.0 vector and full-text search engine that runs as an embedded library, a single server or a distributed cloud service.
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
PartyKit
Developer Tools
Platform for building and deploying realtime multiplayer servers on the edge
- From
- Free
- Free plan
- Yes
The short version
- PartyKit is free; Chroma starts at $250/mo.
- Only Chroma lists embedded mode; only PartyKit lists stateful edge servers.
- Where PartyKit falls short: documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms.
- Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Chroma and PartyKit actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes).
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 Chroma
- Embedded mode
- Single-node server
- Distributed architecture
- Vector search
- Full-text search
- Metadata filtering
- Consistent API across modes
- Multi-language clients
Only in PartyKit
- Stateful edge servers
- WebSocket-first API
- CRDT library compatibility
- Framework integrations
- Global edge deployment
- Custom domains
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Chroma
- Prototyping retrieval-augmented generation where the priority is having a working index in minutes rather than choosing a permanent storenot PartyKit
- Agent memory in a single application process, where an embedded store avoids adding a network dependencynot PartyKit
- A departmental search application under roughly ten million records where one server is sufficient and simplicity is worth more than headroomnot PartyKit
- Local and CI testing of retrieval code with the same client library used in productionnot PartyKit
PartyKit
- Multiplayer collaborative appsnot Chroma
- Realtime AI agent backendsnot Chroma
- Live cursors and presencenot Chroma
- Collaborative whiteboards and documentsnot Chroma
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Chroma
- On a single node, available memory sets a hard upper bound on collection size, roughly 245,000 records per gigabyte of RAM at 1024 dimensions, so capacity planning is a memory purchase and the ceiling arrives without warning
- Single-node queries parallelise only up to the number of vCPUs, after which requests queue and latency rises linearly with concurrency, so throughput problems appear as a slow application rather than as errors
- The distributed deployment behind Chroma Cloud is a different architecture from the embedded library, so latency, consistency and failure behaviour observed in a local prototype do not predict production behaviour
- The open source server has no built-in authentication or multi-tenancy worth relying on, so a self-hosted deployment needs its own auth proxy and network controls before anything untrusted can reach it
- The project has moved quickly through major internal rewrites and version changes, so upgrades have historically involved data migrations and client changes, and pinning versions is necessary rather than cautious
PartyKit
- Documentation and FAQ material on the marketing site is sparse compared to larger realtime platforms
- Commercial free tier requires deploying to the user's own Cloudflare account, adding setup complexity
- Storage on the free Individual plan clears every 24 hours, limiting it to prototyping rather than persistent production data
- Smaller ecosystem and community than more established realtime infrastructure providers
Pricing, plan by plan
Chroma
Free- StarterFree
- 10 databases
- 10 team members
- Community Slack access
- Team$250/mo
- 100 databases
- 30 team members
- $100 in included credits
- EnterpriseOn request
- Unlimited databases
- Unlimited team members
- Dedicated support
PartyKit
Free- IndividualFree
- Up to 10 live projects
- Deploy to the global edge platform
- Storage clears every 24 hours
- CommercialFree
- Unlimited projects
- Custom domains
- Runs on your own Cloudflare account; pay only Cloudflare usage
Which should you pick?
Choose Chroma if
- You need embedded mode.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want single-node server.
Choose PartyKit if
- You need stateful edge servers.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, API.
- You also want websocket-first api.
Questions people ask
- Is Chroma or PartyKit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Chroma starts at Free and PartyKit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Chroma or PartyKit?
- Chroma starts at Free and PartyKit at Free.
- Does Chroma or PartyKit run on more platforms?
- Chroma runs on Web. PartyKit runs on Web, API.
- Can I use Chroma for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Chroma best used for?
- Chroma is most often used for prototyping retrieval-augmented generation where the priority is having a working index in minutes rather than choosing a permanent store, agent memory in a single application process, where an embedded store avoids adding a network dependency, a departmental search application under roughly ten million records where one server is sufficient and simplicity is worth more than headroom, local and ci testing of retrieval code with the same client library used in production. Of those, prototyping retrieval-augmented generation where the priority is having a working index in minutes rather than choosing a permanent store and agent memory in a single application process, where an embedded store avoids adding a network dependency are not what PartyKit is typically brought in for.
- What can Chroma do that PartyKit cannot?
- Chroma covers Embedded mode, Single-node server, Distributed architecture, Vector search. PartyKit covers Stateful edge servers, WebSocket-first API, CRDT library compatibility, Framework integrations.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Chroma: Do I need to run a server?
No. Chroma runs embedded in your process with persistence to a local directory, which is how most projects start. The server and distributed modes exist for when multiple clients or larger collections require them.
PartyKit: How much does PartyKit cost?
PartyKit is completely free. Both the Individual and Commercial plans have no upfront costs.
SourceChroma: How large can a single node get?
The project puts single-node deployments at fewer than about ten million records across a handful of collections, with collection size bounded by system memory at roughly 245,000 records per gigabyte at 1024 dimensions.
PartyKit: What is PartyKit's Individual plan?
The Individual plan is free and includes deployment to a global edge platform, support for up to 10 live projects, and is suitable for small projects. Storage is cleared every 24 hours.
SourceChroma: Is Chroma Cloud the same software?
It is the same API and project, but the distributed deployment is a different architecture, using independent services, object storage and SSD caches rather than a single process. Behaviour under load differs accordingly.
PartyKit: What is PartyKit's Commercial plan?
The Commercial plan is free but requires deploying to your own Cloudflare account. It includes custom domains, unlimited projects, and you pay only your Cloudflare usage costs.
SourceChroma: How does it compare with pgvector?
pgvector keeps vectors in a Postgres database you already operate, with SQL, joins and transactions. Chroma is a dedicated retrieval engine with a lower setup cost and a retrieval-shaped API. If you already run Postgres, pgvector removes a system; if you do not, Chroma removes a decision.
PartyKit: Can I upgrade from Individual to Commercial plan?
Yes, both plans are free but offer different feature sets. The Commercial plan removes project restrictions but requires managing your own Cloudflare infrastructure.
SourceChroma: What licence is it under?
Apache 2.0, which permits self-hosting and embedding in commercial products without a competing-use restriction.
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