Chroma vs Elastic:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Chroma had more branded searches than Elastic among vector search platforms worldwide. Chroma had about 8,100 branded searches, while Elastic had 3,610. Chroma made up 5% of all vector search platform searches we track, and Elastic accounted for 2.2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about vector search platforms, Chroma appeared in three of the five answers and Elastic in none.
Who do people search for more?
Chroma, about 2 searches for every 1 for Elastic
Who does AI mention more?
Chroma, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Elastic in 0
Who does AI recommend more?
Chroma, the only one of the two named
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Top vector search platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Chroma was mentioned in three out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Elastic did not appear in any of the five answers.
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 Chroma or Elastic more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Chroma and Elastic 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 Chroma, Elastic. 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 Chroma and Elastic comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Chroma was ahead of Elastic in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Chroma’s share of searches among vector search platforms worldwide moved from 6.3% to 5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 12.1K to 8.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Elastic’s share of searches among vector search platforms worldwide moved from 3.4% to 2.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 6.6K to 3.6K.
How did search popularity change for vector search platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Chroma’s and Elastic’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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