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View detailsChroma
An open-source embedding database for building AI applications with vector search.
Chroma is an open-source embedding database designed to be the simplest way to store and search vectors for AI applications. It is the database behind many early RAG tutorials because it runs in a few lines of code, with a Python-first API and sensible defaults.
Key Features
- Open-source embedding database for AI apps
- Runs embedded in your app or as a server
- Python-first API with sensible defaults
- Metadata filtering with similarity search
- Integrates with LangChain and LlamaIndex
- Free to self-host; cloud from $0 with credits
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Hosted | $0 | Open-source Chroma, free to run anywhere. |
| Cloud Starter | $0 + usage | Starts with $5 in credits; usage billed beyond that. |
| Cloud Team | $250/mo | $250 per month plus usage, for production teams. |
Prices as listed in 2026 research. Always check the official site for the latest price — plans change. Free plan: Yes — it has a free plan.
Best for: developers building their first RAG prototype or embedding search feature.
Popular with: Developers
Popular with: Developers
How it works
You can run Chroma embedded inside your application for prototypes, or as a server for production use. It handles collections, metadata filtering, and similarity search, and integrates with popular embedding providers and frameworks such as LangChain and LlamaIndex.
Chroma is free and open source to self-host. Chroma Cloud starts with a $0 Starter plan that includes $5 in credits, and the Team plan costs $250 per month plus usage. It is a great first vector database for developers learning RAG.
Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
- Easiest vector database to start with
- Free and open source to self-host
- Great documentation and tutorials
- Works well with popular AI frameworks
✗ Cons
- Fewer enterprise features than managed rivals
- Cloud Team plan is $250 per month
- Best suited to small and medium workloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chroma free?
Yes — Chroma has a free plan. Free self-hosted; Cloud Starter $0 + credits; Team $250/mo
What is Chroma best for?
developers building their first RAG prototype or embedding search feature.
What kind of tool is Chroma?
Chroma is a Data & Analytics tool on VerlumoAI.
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View detailsLast reviewed: November 2026