# Milvus

Cloud-native Apache-2.0 vector database for large-scale similarity search. Milvus is free, with no paid plan attached, at milvus.io.

## Facts

- **Pricing tier:** Free
- **Works on:** Self-hosted, API
- **Works in browser:** No

## Capabilities

- Cloud-native Apache-2.0 vector database for large-scale similarity search
- Runs from a single-file Lite mode to distributed clusters
- Managed Zilliz Cloud has a separate free tier

## FAQ

### What is Milvus?

Milvus is listed under Vector Databases & RAG Infra, in the Code & Development category on Flocci AI Tools. Cloud-native Apache-2.0 vector database for large-scale similarity search. It is free, with no paid plan attached, and it lives at milvus.io.

### Is Milvus free?

Milvus is listed as fully free — there is no paid tier attached to it in the catalog. That makes it one of the 397 entries on Flocci AI Tools with no upgrade path built in.

### Can I use Milvus in a browser, or is there an app?

Milvus needs to be installed or self-hosted — it doesn't run in a browser tab. It is available on self-hosting and an API.

### What can Milvus do?

Milvus does 3 things the catalog singles out: Cloud-native apache-2.0 vector database for large-scale similarity search; runs from a single-file lite mode to distributed clusters; managed zilliz cloud has a separate free tier.

### What is the best free alternative to Milvus?

Vespa is the closest free alternative: it sits in the same Vector Databases & RAG Infra sub-category and is free. LanceDB, Microsoft GraphRAG and pgvector also start free. The full list is on the alternatives page.

## Related

- [Milvus alternatives](https://aitools.flocci.in/alternatives/milvus)
- [Vector Databases & RAG Infra](https://aitools.flocci.in/category/code-development/vector-databases-rag-infra)
- [Best free vector databases and RAG infrastructure](https://aitools.flocci.in/best/best-vector-databases-rag-infra)
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Source: Flocci AI Tools — https://aitools.flocci.in/tool/milvus

Facts last verified: October 2026