Milvus vs Pinecone:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Pinecone had more branded searches than Milvus among vector search platforms worldwide. Pinecone had about 33,700 branded searches, while Milvus had 23,800. Pinecone made up 20.9% of all vector search platform searches we track, and Milvus accounted for 14.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about vector search platforms, Pinecone appeared in all five answers and Milvus in four. Pinecone was mentioned before Milvus in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Pinecone, about 42% more searches than Milvus
Who does AI mention more?
Pinecone, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Pinecone, named ahead of Milvus in every answer
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Top vector search platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Pinecone appeared in all five answers. Milvus was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Pinecone was listed before Milvus in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Qdrant5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- Pinecone5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
pgvector5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Weaviate5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Milvus4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Chroma3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Elastic0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Vespa.ai0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about vector search platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which vector search platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best vector search platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best vector search platform for ai search apps?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best vector search”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“vector search engine”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Milvus or Pinecone more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Milvus and Pinecone by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight vector search platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Pinecone, Milvus. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Qdrant | Pinecone | pgvector | Milvus | Weaviate | Chroma | Elastic | Vespa.ai |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 34.3% | 4.9% | 14.1% | 23.3% | 12.5% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 34.2% | 4.7% | 14.1% | 23.3% | 12.4% | 6.3% | 3.4% | 1.6% |
| Dec 2025 | 37.2% | 6.2% | 15.3% | 20.7% | 10.9% | 5.6% | 3.1% | 1.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 35.8% | 8.5% | 14.7% | 20.4% | 10.5% | 5.4% | 3.6% | 1% |
| Feb 2026 | 35.1% | 12.1% | 14.2% | 19.2% | 10.3% | 5.2% | 2.9% | 0.98% |
| Mar 2026 | 34.6% | 14.6% | 14.2% | 19.3% | 8.5% | 5.2% | 2.9% | 0.81% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.6% | 13.9% | 16.6% | 18.4% | 8.1% | 6.1% | 2.7% | 0.79% |
| May 2026 | 32.9% | 16.6% | 16.2% | 18% | 7.9% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.92% |
| Jun 2026 | 37.9% | 19% | 15.3% | 14.2% | 6.2% | 4.6% | 2% | 0.76% |
| Jul 2026 | 36.3% | 18.2% | 14.7% | 16.2% | 6.1% | 5.4% | 2.4% | 0.83% |
| Aug 2026 | 32.3% | 19.7% | 15.9% | 17.3% | 6.4% | 4.8% | 2.6% | 0.9% |
| Sep 2026 | 34% | 20.9% | 16.8% | 14.7% | 5.5% | 5% | 2.2% | 0.92% |
How has the Milvus and Pinecone comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands once in the 12 months ending September 2026: Pinecone took it in June 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Milvus’ share of searches among vector search platforms worldwide moved from 23.3% to 14.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 44.9K to 23.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pinecone’s share of searches among vector search platforms worldwide moved from 4.9% to 20.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 9.4K to 33.7K.
How did search popularity change for vector search platforms worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, pgvector overtook Milvus to rank 3rd among vector search platforms worldwide, with 16.8% of the searches.
In September 2026, Pinecone gained share of searches among vector search platforms worldwide, from 19.7% to 20.9%.
In September 2026, Milvus lost share of searches among vector search platforms worldwide, from 17.3% to 14.7%.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Milvus’ and Pinecone’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among vector search platforms
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