Chroma is an open-source embedding database designed for building AI applications with retrieval, popular for prototyping and retrieval-augmented generation. It targets developers who want a lightweight, embeddable vector store, and supports hybrid search. The core is open-source under Apache 2.0 and free to self-host, while Chroma Cloud offers a managed, serverless option with a free starter tier and usage-based pricing beyond it. Developer-friendliness is a core focus, and it can run embedded in an application or as a managed service. The record lists no formal compliance certifications.
open-sourceself-hostablefree-tierembeddabledeveloper-friendly
Overview
- Founded
- 2022
- Pricing tier
- Low
- Startup-friendly
- Yes
- Enterprise-ready
- No
Vector database
- Free tier
- Yes: Open-source (self-host free); Chroma Cloud has a free starter tier.
- Serverless
- Yes
- Open-source
- Yes
- Self-hostable
- Yes
- Managed service
- Yes
- Hybrid search
- Yes