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Databases · head to head

Marqo vs SurrealDB

Marqo logo

Marqo

Databases

AI-native product discovery platform for ecommerce

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SurrealDB logo

SurrealDB

Databases

Multi-model database combining documents, graphs, vectors and time-series

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SurrealDB has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Marqo pricing not publicly available, enterprise sales-only model; SurrealDB the listed $0.192/node/hr Scale pricing lacks transparent higher-tier rates, requiring a sales conversation for full production sizing.
  • They diverge on capability: Marqo covers Semantic search, SurrealDB covers Multi-model engine.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Marqo and SurrealDB actually diverge.

Attributes where Marqo and SurrealDB differ
AttributeMarqoSurrealDB
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelcontact-salesusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb API, SaaSweb, api, windows, mac, linux

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Databases), founded (2022).

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 Marqo

  • Semantic search
  • Multimodal image search
  • AI model training
  • Automated merchandising
  • Multi-surface integration
  • Commerce platform integrations
  • API access

Only in SurrealDB

  • Multi-model engine
  • ACID transactions
  • Hybrid retrieval
  • Horizontal scaling
  • Multi-region disaster recovery
  • FIPS-compliant cryptography

What people use each for

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

Marqo

  • Improve search revenue for fashion and beauty retailersnot SurrealDB
  • Implement multimodal image and product searchnot SurrealDB
  • Increase checkout conversion through better product discoverynot SurrealDB
  • Create personalized product recommendationsnot SurrealDB
  • Reduce customer support inquiries with relevant search resultsnot SurrealDB

SurrealDB

  • AI agent memory and retrieval-augmented generationnot Marqo
  • Applications needing documents, graphs and vectors in one databasenot Marqo
  • Knowledge graph construction from unstructured datanot Marqo
  • Regulated workloads requiring SOC2/ISO27001/HIPAA-eligible hostingnot Marqo

Where each one falls short

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

Marqo

  • Pricing not publicly available, enterprise sales-only model
  • Requires custom implementation and integration work
  • Limited to ecommerce use cases compared to general search
  • Model training requires sufficient customer behavior data

SurrealDB

  • The listed $0.192/node/hr Scale pricing lacks transparent higher-tier rates, requiring a sales conversation for full production sizing.
  • As a newer multi-model database, it has a smaller ecosystem of drivers, ORMs and community tooling than established single-model databases.
  • HIPAA compliance is only available as an Enterprise add-on rather than included in standard paid tiers.
  • Combining multiple data models in one engine can add query-planning complexity compared to purpose-built single-model databases.

Pricing, plan by plan

Marqo

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Marqo review.

SurrealDB

Free
  • StartFree
    • 1 free instance, then from $0.021/hr
    • 1GB storage free forever
    • Vertical scaling to terabytes
  • Scale$0.192/month
    • $0.192/node/hr
    • Production-grade fault tolerance
    • Horizontal scaling to petabytes
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Self-hosted, custom pricing
    • Clustered fault-tolerant deployments
    • FIPS-compliant cryptography

Which should you pick?

Choose Marqo if

  • You need semantic search.
  • You work on Web API, SaaS.
  • You also want multimodal image search.
Marqo review

Choose SurrealDB if

  • You need multi-model engine.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api, windows, mac, linux.
  • You also want acid transactions.
SurrealDB review

Questions people ask

Is Marqo or SurrealDB better?
Neither clearly leads. Marqo starts at On request and SurrealDB at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Marqo or SurrealDB?
SurrealDB has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Marqo and Free for SurrealDB.
Does Marqo or SurrealDB run on more platforms?
Marqo runs on Web API, SaaS. SurrealDB runs on web, api, windows, mac, linux.
Can I use SurrealDB for free?
Yes. SurrealDB has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Marqo starts at On request.
What is Marqo best used for?
Marqo is most often used for improve search revenue for fashion and beauty retailers, implement multimodal image and product search, increase checkout conversion through better product discovery, create personalized product recommendations. Of those, improve search revenue for fashion and beauty retailers and implement multimodal image and product search are not what SurrealDB is typically brought in for.
What can Marqo do that SurrealDB cannot?
Marqo covers Semantic search, Multimodal image search, AI model training, Automated merchandising. SurrealDB covers Multi-model engine, ACID transactions, Hybrid retrieval, Horizontal scaling.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Marqo: How do Marqo models get trained?

Marqo trains dedicated AI models on each retailer's product catalog and customer behavior data including clicks, purchases, and browsing patterns. This ensures models are optimized for the specific retailer's products and customers.

Source
SurrealDB: What does SurrealDB cost?

SurrealDB Cloud's Start plan is free with one free instance (then from $0.021/hr), the Scale plan runs $0.192/node/hr for production workloads, and Enterprise self-hosted deployments use custom pricing.

Source
Marqo: What results can retailers expect from Marqo?

Enterprise retailers using Marqo report 10-23% increases in search revenue and conversion rates, with proven results across fashion, beauty, electronics, and home goods.

Source
SurrealDB: Is there a free plan and what are its limits?

Yes, the Start plan includes one free instance with 1GB of storage free forever and 1GB of outbound data transfer per month, aimed at prototypes and development.

Source
Marqo: Which ecommerce platforms does Marqo integrate with?

Marqo has native integrations with Shopify, Adobe Commerce (Magento), and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, and also provides API access for custom implementations.

Source
SurrealDB: How is billing handled?

Customers are invoiced monthly based on actual usage in a pay-as-you-go model with no long-term commitments, though commitment-based discounts are available.

Source
Marqo: How is Marqo priced?

Marqo pricing is customized based on catalog size, search volume, and feature requirements. Contact their sales team to book a demo and discuss pricing.

Source
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