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Databases · head to head

Zilliz vs Valkey

Zilliz logo

Zilliz

Databases

Managed vector database and vector lakebase for AI applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Valkey logo

Valkey

Databases

Open-source in-memory data store forked from Redis

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Zilliz pricing structure not publicly disclosed, requires sales contact; Valkey younger project, so its track record is short even though the codebase is not
  • They diverge on capability: Zilliz covers Vector indexing, Valkey covers Redis-compatible.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Zilliz and Valkey actually diverge.

Attributes where Zilliz and Valkey differ
AttributeZillizValkey
Pricing modelcontact-salesOpen source, no licence fee; managed cloud billed separately
PlatformsCloud, Self-hostedLinux, macOS, Docker, Self-hosted
Founded2017Unknown

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 Zilliz

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

Only in Valkey

  • Redis-compatible
  • BSD licensed
  • Rich data structures
  • Replication and persistence

What people use each for

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

Zilliz

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

Valkey

  • Continuing on a permissively licensed in-memory store after the Redis licence changenot Zilliz
  • Caching and session storage where a foundation-governed project is a procurement requirementnot Zilliz
  • Migrating from Redis without rewriting application codenot Zilliz

Where each one falls short

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

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

Valkey

  • Younger project, so its track record is short even though the codebase is not
  • Divergence from Redis grows over time, so compatibility is strongest near the fork point and weakens as both evolve
  • Ecosystem tooling and documentation still frequently assume Redis, leaving translation work

Pricing, plan by plan

Zilliz

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Zilliz review.

Valkey

Free
  • ValkeyFree
    • Full functionality
    • Self-hosted
    • No usage limits

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Valkey if

  • You need redis-compatible.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, macOS, Docker, Self-hosted.
  • You also want bsd licensed.
Valkey review

Questions people ask

Is Zilliz or Valkey better?
Neither clearly leads. Zilliz starts at Free and Valkey at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Zilliz or Valkey?
Zilliz starts at Free and Valkey at Free.
Does Zilliz or Valkey run on more platforms?
Zilliz runs on Cloud, Self-hosted. Valkey runs on Linux, macOS, Docker, Self-hosted.
Can I use Zilliz for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Zilliz best used for?
Zilliz is most often used for build retrieval-augmented generation (rag) systems, implement semantic search over documents, create multimodal search with text and images, power recommendation engines with vector similarity. Of those, build retrieval-augmented generation (rag) systems and implement semantic search over documents are not what Valkey is typically brought in for.
What can Zilliz do that Valkey cannot?
Zilliz covers Vector indexing, Distributed architecture, SQL interface, Tensor support. Valkey covers Redis-compatible, BSD licensed, Rich data structures, Replication and persistence.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
Valkey: Is Valkey free?

Yes, BSD-licensed open source under the Linux Foundation.

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
Valkey: Why does Valkey exist?

Redis changed its licence away from BSD in 2024. Valkey is the community fork continuing under permissive terms, backed by AWS, Google Cloud and Oracle among others.

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
Valkey: Can I switch from Redis to Valkey?

At the fork point it is drop-in compatible with existing clients and data. The further both projects move from that point, the more you should verify the specific features you use.

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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