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Databases · head to head

DuckDB vs Zilliz

DuckDB logo

DuckDB

Databases

Fast in-process analytical database

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zilliz logo

Zilliz

Databases

Managed vector database and vector lakebase for AI applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DuckDB client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios; Zilliz pricing structure not publicly disclosed, requires sales contact
  • They diverge on capability: DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Zilliz covers Vector indexing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DuckDB and Zilliz actually diverge.

Attributes where DuckDB and Zilliz differ
AttributeDuckDBZilliz
Pricing modelopen-sourcecontact-sales
PlatformsLinux, macOS, Windows, WebAssemblyCloud, Self-hosted
Founded20192017

Identical on both: starting price (Free), 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 DuckDB

  • In-process Execution
  • Columnar Storage
  • Vectorized Execution
  • Rich SQL Support
  • Parquet Support
  • CSV/JSON Import
  • Zero Dependencies
  • Python

Only in Zilliz

  • Vector indexing
  • Distributed architecture
  • SQL interface
  • Tensor support
  • Real-time search
  • Cloud-native
  • Open-source compatible

What people use each for

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

DuckDB

  • Analytics and data warehousingnot Zilliz
  • OLAP queries and data explorationnot Zilliz
  • Data science and machine learning workflowsnot Zilliz
  • Multi-format data ingestion and processingnot Zilliz

Zilliz

  • Build retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systemsnot DuckDB
  • Implement semantic search over documentsnot DuckDB
  • Create multimodal search with text and imagesnot DuckDB
  • Power recommendation engines with vector similaritynot DuckDB
  • Enable similarity search on user embeddingsnot DuckDB

Where each one falls short

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

DuckDB

  • Client-server setup remains in beta and not recommended for production distributed scenarios

Zilliz

  • Pricing structure not publicly disclosed, requires sales contact
  • Operational complexity for self-hosted Milvus deployments
  • Learning curve for those unfamiliar with vector databases
  • Limited built-in analytics compared to some alternatives

Pricing, plan by plan

DuckDB

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the DuckDB review.

Zilliz

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Zilliz review.

Which should you pick?

Choose DuckDB if

  • You need in-process execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly.
  • You also want columnar storage.
DuckDB review

Choose Zilliz if

  • You need vector indexing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud, Self-hosted.
  • You also want distributed architecture.
Zilliz review

Questions people ask

Is DuckDB or Zilliz better?
Neither clearly leads. DuckDB starts at Free and Zilliz at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DuckDB or Zilliz?
DuckDB starts at Free and Zilliz at Free.
Does DuckDB or Zilliz run on more platforms?
DuckDB runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, WebAssembly. Zilliz runs on Cloud, Self-hosted.
Can I use DuckDB for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is DuckDB best used for?
DuckDB is most often used for analytics and data warehousing, olap queries and data exploration, data science and machine learning workflows, multi-format data ingestion and processing. Of those, analytics and data warehousing and olap queries and data exploration are not what Zilliz is typically brought in for.
What can DuckDB do that Zilliz cannot?
DuckDB covers In-process Execution, Columnar Storage, Vectorized Execution, Rich SQL Support. Zilliz covers Vector indexing, Distributed architecture, SQL interface, Tensor support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DuckDB: Is DuckDB free to use?

Yes, DuckDB is completely free. There are no subscription tiers, user limits, or paid plans. The software has zero licensing costs.

Source
Zilliz: What is the difference between Milvus and Zilliz Cloud?

Milvus is the open-source vector database that you can self-host. Zilliz Cloud is the fully managed service built on Milvus that removes operational overhead and handles scaling automatically.

Source
DuckDB: What license is DuckDB distributed under?

DuckDB is open source under the MIT License, governed by the independent DuckDB Foundation. The MIT License permits commercial use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions.

Source
Zilliz: How many vectors can Zilliz handle?

Milvus and Zilliz Cloud can store and search billions of vectors through their distributed architecture that separates storage and compute layers.

Source
DuckDB: Can I use DuckDB in commercial applications?

Yes, the MIT License allows commercial use without restrictions or requirements to publish proprietary code. You can deploy DuckDB anywhere from edge devices to high-core servers.

Source
Zilliz: Is Milvus open-source?

Yes, Milvus is open-source under the Apache License 2.0 and is part of the LF AI & Data Foundation.

Source
DuckDB: Are there any limitations on how many instances I can run?

No, there are no user limits, usage limits, or instance restrictions. You have unlimited access to all DuckDB features.

Source
Zilliz: What pricing does Zilliz Cloud offer?

Zilliz Cloud pricing is not publicly listed and requires contacting their team to discuss your specific scale and use case requirements.

Source
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