Chroma
Open-source vector and full-text search database for AI apps, retrieval and agent memory.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Self-hosted, Linux, macOS, Windows
Chroma has been acquired. Signed an agreement to join Replit on 23 October 2026, with Chroma Cloud being wound down, according to the Chroma blog.
Is Chroma free?
Yes, free and open source
- License:
- Apache-2.0
Checked on Chroma's site Nov 5, 2026
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All 6- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Chroma
Chroma (often called ChromaDB) is an open-source database for storing embeddings and searching them by meaning, built for retrieval-augmented generation, semantic search and agent memory. Beyond plain vector similarity it also handles sparse lexical search such as BM25, full-text and regex matching, and metadata filtering, so one collection can serve several kinds of query. Developers usually start by installing the Python or JavaScript client and running it locally or embedded in an app, then move to a self-hosted server as data grows. The core is released under the Apache 2.0 licence and is free to use. In October 2026 Chroma announced it had agreed to join Replit and that its hosted Chroma Cloud service would be wound down over roughly 60 days, while the open-source project continues. That makes Chroma a solid pick for prototypes and self-hosted retrieval, but teams that wanted a managed service from the same vendor now need to plan for running it themselves or moving to another hosted vector database.
Best for: Developers who want a simple, free, self-hosted vector store for RAG and semantic search prototypes..
Pros and cons
What works
- Apache 2.0 licence with no usage limits on the open-source version
- Quick to start with pip or npm and an embedded local mode
- Combines vector, BM25, full-text, regex and metadata search
Why people leave
- Hosted Chroma Cloud is being wound down after the Replit deal
- You run, scale and back up the database yourself
- Future roadmap now depends on Replit's priorities
Chroma vs Qdrant, Weaviate and Pinecone
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Chroma | Qdrant | Weaviate | Pinecone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Open source | Open source | Open source | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | — | From $45/month | $20 a month flat (Builder) |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Yes (Starter) |
| Open source | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Self-hostable | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Self-hosted, Linux, macOS, Windows | Self-hosted, Web | Self-hosted, Web | Web |
Top Chroma alternatives
See all 6- 1
Qdrant68.8Apache-licensed Rust engine you can self-host, with a managed cloud that is still running and strong filtering.
- 2
Weaviate64.8Open source with hybrid search built in and a managed cloud, a natural home for teams losing Chroma Cloud.
- 3
Pinecone61.8Fully managed and serverless, for teams that would rather not operate a vector database at all.
- 4
Milvus53.6Open-source vector database built for billions of vectors across a cluster, for when Chroma outgrows one machine.
- 5
PostgreSQL51.2With pgvector, embeddings live next to your app data in the Postgres you may already run.
Why people left Chroma
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Chroma, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Chroma: common questions
What is Chroma?
Chroma: Open-source vector and full-text search database for AI apps, retrieval and agent memory. Best for developers who want a simple, free, self-hosted vector store for RAG and semantic search prototypes. Available for Linux, macOS and Windows, and you can host it yourself.
Is Chroma free?
Yes. Chroma is free, open-source software that you can host yourself.
Is Chroma open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at chroma-core/chroma. You can also run it on your own server.
What platforms does Chroma run on?
Chroma is available for Self-hosted, Linux, macOS and Windows.
What are the best alternatives to Chroma?
The highest-ranked Chroma alternatives right now are Qdrant, Weaviate and Pinecone. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Chroma vs Qdrant: what's the difference?
Both Chroma and Qdrant are free and open source. Only Chroma runs on Linux, macOS and Windows. Only Qdrant runs on Web.