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Weaviate Review 2026 — Best Open-Source Vector Database for Enterprise
Weaviate is the leading open-source vector database for production AI. Hybrid search, multi-modal, multi-tenancy, Kubernetes scaling. Free BSD license.

Weaviate stores objects and vector embeddings, then supports vector, keyword, hybrid, filtered, and generative search through APIs. Its product suite includes managed Shared Cloud and Dedicated Cloud, Query Agent, Embeddings, integrations, and console tools.
Developers use it for retrieval-augmented generation, semantic search, recommendations, and agent applications. Self-hosting is available, while managed cloud plans, embeddings, Query Agent usage, storage, backups, and vector dimensions can incur separate charges.
Features
- Store objects and vector embeddings in an open-source AI database
- Run vector, keyword, hybrid, filtered, and generative searches
- Use GraphQL, REST, gRPC, and gRPC-Web APIs
- Query collections in natural language with Query Agent
- Generate embeddings within Weaviate Cloud
- Deploy as self-hosted software or managed Shared and Dedicated Cloud
- Use Boost API and MMR Diversity Selection for search results
- BSD 3-Clause License for Weaviate Database
Use cases
- Build retrieval-augmented generation applications
- Search documents, images, and other embedded data semantically
- Create recommendation and similarity-search systems
- Connect AI agents to structured and unstructured application data
- Manage vector search infrastructure in self-hosted or managed cloud deployments
Pros
Cons
Latest updates
- v1.40.4 - Runtime reindex reliability & RBAC Fixes (v1.40.4)
Fixed runtime reindex reliability and RBAC issues.
- v1.39.15 - Alter schema reindex property Fixes (v1.39.15)
Fixed schema reindex property alteration.
- v1.38.24 - Keep vector search distances aligned Fix (v1.38.24)
Kept vector search distances aligned when an object is missing from the store.
- v1.40.3 - LSM store & Recount property lengths performance improvements (v1.40.3)
Improves LSM store and property-length recount performance.
- v1.39.14 - LSM store & Recount property lengths performance improvements (v1.39.14)
Improves LSM store and property-length recount performance.
Capabilities
- Choice of models — “Seamlessly connect your data with models from a range of providers.” source
- Self-hosted — “Weaviate’s open source AI database can be self-hosted or run as a managed service in Weaviate Cloud to reduce operational overhead.” source
- API — “Use SDKs for Python, Go, TypeScript, or JavaScript, or connect to GraphQL or REST APIs.” source
- Official SDKs — “Use SDKs for Python, Go, TypeScript, or JavaScript, or connect to GraphQL or REST APIs.” source
- Runs models for you — “Access embedding models hosted in Weaviate Cloud. Simple, pay-as-you-go, GPU-powered.” source
- Builds agents and workflows — “Pre-built agentic workflows that dynamically interact with your data in Weaviate to perform sync, async, and multi-step tasks.” source
- Search over your data — “Store, index, and search high-dimensional vectors at any scale. The foundation for search, RAG, and agents.” source
Get it
Security
- HIPAA — “Stay compliant with SOC 2, HIPAA, data privacy, and explainability.” source
Pricing
- Starting price
- $45/mo
- Prices checked
- 2026-10-24
Free
Free
- 1 cluster per user
- 100,000 objects · 1 GB memory · 10 GB disk
- 1 collection, up to 3 tenants
- Embeddings (2,000 req/day) + Query Agent (1,000 req/mo)
- Basic Support
Flex
- Starts at $45 /mo
- Pay-as-you-go, monthly, no commitment
- Shared cloud cluster with full core DB toolkit + replication
- Baseline security with RBAC
- Highly available clusters — 99.5% uptime
- Query Agent free tier + usage-based; Embeddings usage-based
- Standard support — next-business-day Sev 1
Premium
Price on request
- Prepaid contract with predictable spend
- Choice of shared or dedicated deployment
- Trusted reliability — up to 99.95% uptime
- Global coverage on AWS, GCP & Azure
- Query Agent free tier + usage-based; Embeddings usage-based
- Enterprise support — as fast as 1-hour Sev 1 + dedicated Technical Account Team