Comparison · Vector databases

Pinecone vs
pgvector.

pgvector keeps your vectors next to your relational data. One database to back up, one set of permissions, one query language. Pinecone wins only at extreme scale.

Vedwix verdict
Default to pgvector
When each wins · 01

Pick by use case.

When Pinecone wins

Pinecone

You need extreme scale (>50M vectors) and managed simplicity.

When pgvector wins

pgvector

Almost everyone — you already have Postgres.

Feature-by-feature · 02

Direct comparison.

FeaturePineconepgvector
Operational simplicityManagedJust Postgres
CostHigherFree if you have PG
Hybrid searchYesYes (full-text + vector)
Filters & joinsLimitedNative SQL
Scale ceilingVery high~10-50M comfortable
Vendor lock-inYesNo
Need help deciding?

We've shipped
both.

If you're evaluating these for a real project, we can walk through the trade-offs in 30 minutes — no sales pitch.

Talk to us
Vedwix take · 03

Our take.

Default to pgvector for RAG. Pinecone only when scale demands it — and most projects never do.

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