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Qdrant vs Weaviate

Comparing two vector database platforms on pricing, features, free tier, and trade-offs.

By Bilal AlmukhtarEdited by Sofia DraganovLast updated

Quick summary

Qdrant — High-performance open source vector search. Qdrant is a Rust-based open-source vector database with strong filtering, payload storage, and managed cloud offering with generous free tier.

Weaviate — Open source vector database with built-in ML. Weaviate is an open-source vector database with native multi-modal search, built-in vectorizer modules, hybrid search, and cloud or self-hosted deployment.

Feature comparison

FeatureQdrantWeaviate
Pricing modelFreemiumFreemium
Starting price$25/mo$25/mo
Free tierYesYes
Open sourceYesYes
TypeHybridHybrid
Free Tier1GB cluster14-day sandbox
ServerlessYesYes
Self-hostedYesYes
Multi-tenantYesYes
Hybrid SearchYesYes
Max Dimensions6553665535
Metadata FilteringYesYes
Q

Qdrant

High-performance open source vector search

Pros

  • Blazing fast Rust core
  • Open source + managed cloud
  • Excellent filtering via payload
  • Very generous free tier

Cons

  • Smaller ecosystem than Pinecone
  • Some advanced features cloud-only
  • Fewer SDK niceties
Visit Qdrant →

Weaviate

Open source vector database with built-in ML

Pros

  • Fully open source, self-hostable
  • Built-in vectorizer modules
  • Native multi-modal (text + image)
  • GraphQL API

Cons

  • Heavier ops than Pinecone if self-hosting
  • Cloud tier pricing more complex
  • Community smaller than Pinecone's
Visit Weaviate →

Which should you choose?

Choose Qdrant if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage. Choose Weaviate if you value open source and want the option to self-host, and a free tier is important for your stage.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Qdrant or Weaviate?
There is no universal “better.” For most teams, Qdrant is the safer default because Qdrant has a larger community and more third-party integrations, which often translates to better long-term support. For edge cases, the comparison table above highlights where each tool wins.
Is Qdrant cheaper than Weaviate?
Qdrant starts at $25/mo, while Weaviate starts at $25/mo. Exact costs depend on usage — check both vendors' calculators before committing.
Can I migrate from Qdrant to Weaviate?
Migration difficulty depends on how deeply Qdrant-specific features (APIs, SDK conventions, data schemas) are baked into your app. Most vector database migrations take days to weeks. Both vendors typically publish migration guides — check their docs.
Is Qdrant or Weaviate open source?
Yes, both Qdrant and Weaviate are open source and can be self-hosted.
Does Qdrant or Weaviate have a free tier?
Both Qdrant and Weaviate offer a free tier.
Which is best for startups and indie hackers?
Startups usually optimize for the lowest friction to ship and the cheapest possible free tier. The one with the most generous free tier here is Qdrant. For production workloads, revisit the trade-offs in the feature table above.

More Vector Database comparisons

All Qdrant alternatives →All Weaviate alternatives →