Databases · head to head
Chroma vs ScyllaDB
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
- Rated
- -
ScyllaDB
Databases
The real-time big data database compatible with Cassandra
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: 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.; ScyllaDB enterprise tier requires custom quote from sales
- They diverge on capability: Chroma covers Embedded mode, ScyllaDB covers Cassandra Compatible.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Chroma and ScyllaDB actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (usage-based), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Databases).
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 ScyllaDB
- Cassandra Compatible
- DynamoDB Compatible
- 10x Throughput
- Low Latency
- Auto-tuning
- Lightweight Transactions
- Change Data Capture
- Cassandra Drivers
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 ScyllaDB
- Agent memory in a single application process, where an embedded store avoids adding a network dependencynot ScyllaDB
- A departmental search application under roughly ten million records where one server is sufficient and simplicity is worth more than headroomnot ScyllaDB
- Local and CI testing of retrieval code with the same client library used in productionnot ScyllaDB
ScyllaDB
- Real-time applicationsnot Chroma
- Content managementnot Chroma
- User profilesnot Chroma
- Mobile backendsnot Chroma
- Cachingnot 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.
ScyllaDB
- Enterprise tier requires custom quote from sales
- Pricing varies by cloud provider, storage, and instance configuration
- Contracts available but commitment required for subscription discounts
Pricing, plan by plan
Chroma
Free- StarterFree
- 10 databases
- 10 team members
- Community Slack access
- Team$250/month
- 100 databases
- 30 team members
- $100 in included credits
- Enterprise$null/month
- Unlimited databases
- Unlimited team members
- Dedicated support
ScyllaDB
Free- ScyllaDB Cloud Standard$null/variable
- Usage-based billing: vCPU, RAM, NVMe SSD storage
- 2-hour P1 support response time
- 99.9% uptime SLA
- ScyllaDB Cloud Professional$null/variable
- Enterprise-grade scalability
- 1-hour P1 support response
- Enhanced features included
- ScyllaDB Cloud Premium$null/variable
- Custom security and networking
- 15-minute P1 support response
- 99.99% uptime SLA
- ScyllaDB Enterprise$null/quote
- Self-managed deployment
- On-premise or private cloud
- Custom quote required
Which should you pick?
Choose Chroma if
- You need embedded mode.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want single-node server.
Choose ScyllaDB if
- You need cassandra compatible.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web.
- You also want dynamodb compatible.
Questions people ask
- Is Chroma or ScyllaDB better?
- Neither clearly leads. Chroma starts at Free and ScyllaDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Chroma or ScyllaDB?
- Chroma starts at Free and ScyllaDB at Free.
- Does Chroma or ScyllaDB run on more platforms?
- Chroma runs on Web. ScyllaDB runs on Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Web.
- 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 ScyllaDB is typically brought in for.
- What can Chroma do that ScyllaDB cannot?
- Chroma covers Embedded mode, Single-node server, Distributed architecture, Vector search. ScyllaDB covers Cassandra Compatible, DynamoDB Compatible, 10x Throughput, Low Latency.
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.
ScyllaDB: How is ScyllaDB Cloud pricing calculated?
ScyllaDB Cloud uses transparent, resource-based billing based on instance type (vCPU and RAM), NVMe SSD storage, service plan tier, deployment model, and cloud provider 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.
ScyllaDB: Does ScyllaDB offer a free trial?
ScyllaDB offers a 30-day developer trial on smaller instances and a 48-hour production evaluation trial with full-grade instances.
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.
ScyllaDB: What cost savings are available for long-term ScyllaDB commitments?
ScyllaDB subscription contracts provide up to 70% or more in savings compared to on-demand hourly billing. 1-year and 3-year contract options are available.
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.
ScyllaDB: How much cheaper is ScyllaDB than DynamoDB?
Unlike DynamoDB which charges per read/write unit, ScyllaDB charges based on resource usage only, potentially delivering 50% or greater cost reduction for high-throughput workloads.
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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