Chroma vs sqlite-vec

Chroma: Open-source retrieval database for AI apps, from embedded Python to serverless Chroma Cloud. sqlite-vec: Dependency-free SQLite extension for vector search that runs anywhere SQLite does, including WASM.

key differences

Chroma is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than sqlite-vec (≤ 100 GB).
Horizontal scaling is native in Chroma and none in sqlite-vec.
Transactions: Chroma offers limited ACID; sqlite-vec offers full.
Only Chroma has branching.
Only sqlite-vec has transactions, joins, triggers, in-memory, runs in webassembly.
Chroma has a serverless option; sqlite-vec does not.

choose chroma for

+Prototyping RAG in notebooks
+Embedded retrieval in Python apps
+Agent memory
+Serverless RAG backends

best at · Vector search, RAG, Search

choose sqlite-vec for

+On-device RAG in desktop and mobile apps
+Local-first semantic search
+Browser-based vector search via WASM
+Small server apps already on SQLite or libSQL

best at · Vector search, RAG, Embedded

ChromaOpen-source retrieval database for AI apps, from embedded Python to serverless Chroma Cloud.

sqlite-vecDependency-free SQLite extension for vector search that runs anywhere SQLite does, including WASM.

overview

Primary model

Vector

Also supports

Document, Search Engine

Relational

Type

Database engine

Extension

Status

Active

Developer

Chroma

Alex Garcia (sponsored by Mozilla Builders)

First release

2023

2024

Latest version

1.5.9 (May 5, 2026)

0.1.9 (Mar 31, 2026)

License

Open source (permissive)Apache License 2.0

Open source (permissive)MIT or Apache-2.0 (dual)

Free tier

✓

popularity

WhichDB Score

49.0

31.1

Rank

#29

#81

GitHub stars

29.6K

8.2K

Stack Overflow questions

266

–

scale & guarantees

Comfortable data size

Medium (≤ 10 TB)

Small (≤ 100 GB)

Horizontal scaling

Native

None

Multi-region

None

ACID

Limited

Full

Consistency

Eventual

Strong

Schema

Schemaless

Strict

Architecture

Embedded, Single node, Serverless, Client server

Embedded

deployment

Self-hosted

✓

Vendor-managed cloud

✓

—

Serverless

✓

—

Embedded

✓

Edge

—

✓

Clouds

AWS

–

capabilities

Transactions

—

✓

Joins

—

✓

Secondary indexes

✓

Full-text search

✓

Vector search

✓

Geospatial

—

JSON

✓

Change data capture

—

Triggers

—

✓

Stored procedures

—

Materialized views

—

TTL / expiry

—

Pub/Sub

—

Columnar storage

—

In-memory

—

✓

Durable persistence

✓

Compression

—

Encryption at rest

—

Role-based access

—

Time travel

—

Branching

✓

—

Online schema changes

—

Streaming ingest

—

Offline sync

—

Runs in WebAssembly

—

✓

interfaces

Query languages

Chroma API (where filters)

SQL

Client languages

Python, JavaScript, Rust

Python, JavaScript, Go, Rust, Ruby, C

Best for

Vector search, RAG, Search, Embedded

Vector search, RAG, Embedded, Edge

Add more to this comparison Not sure either fits? Try smart match

Chroma vs sqlite-vec: FAQ

What is the difference between Chroma and sqlite-vec?

Chroma: Open-source retrieval database for AI apps, from embedded Python to serverless Chroma Cloud. sqlite-vec: Dependency-free SQLite extension for vector search that runs anywhere SQLite does, including WASM. Chroma is built for larger datasets (≤ 10 TB) than sqlite-vec (≤ 100 GB). Horizontal scaling is native in Chroma and none in sqlite-vec. Transactions: Chroma offers limited ACID; sqlite-vec offers full.

When should I choose Chroma over sqlite-vec?

Choose Chroma for prototyping RAG in notebooks, embedded retrieval in Python apps and agent memory. Choose sqlite-vec for on-device RAG in desktop and mobile apps; local-first semantic search; and browser-based vector search via WASM.

Is Chroma or sqlite-vec more popular?

Chroma ranks #29 on the WhichDB Score (49.0/100) and sqlite-vec ranks #81 (31.1/100). Popularity is not fit: check the requirements that matter for your project.

Are Chroma and sqlite-vec open source?

Yes. Chroma is open source. License: Apache License 2.0. Yes. sqlite-vec is open source. License: MIT or Apache-2.0 (dual).