Elasticsearch vs Redis Vector Search

Compare deployment options, cost efficiency, and features to choose the right vector database for your application.

Database Comparison

Elasticsearch takes the lead.

Both Elasticsearch and Redis Vector Search are powerful vector databases designed for efficient similarity search and storage. However, their deployment options and features differ in important ways.

Why Elasticsearch:

  • Elasticsearch ranks higher overall
  • Elasticsearch has 1 more strengths

Elasticsearch

Elasticsearch is one of Europe's most widely deployed open-source search engines that includes native vector database capabilities. It combines dense vector search with traditional full-text BM25 keyword search for powerful hybrid retrieval, making it ideal for RAG applications that need both semantic and lexical search capabilities.

Deployment: Self-Hosted, Managed Cloud, Serverless
Cost: Serverless: usage-based (ECU); Hosted: starts ~$95/month; Self-hosted: free (infra cost only)
License: AGPL v3 / SSPL / Elastic License 2.0
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Redis Vector Search

Redis provides vector similarity search through Redis Stack (RediSearch module), enabling low-latency semantic search and RAG applications. As an in-memory database, Redis excels at small-to-medium scale vector workloads requiring ultra-low latency. It integrates vector search with Redis's core data structures, making it ideal for real-time AI applications, semantic caching, and RAG systems.

Deployment: Self-Hosted (Redis Stack), Redis Enterprise, Redis Cloud
Cost: Redis Stack: Free (self-host); Cloud: starts $5/mo; Enterprise: shard-based pricing; Redis Flex: hybrid RAM+SSD
License: RSALv2 / SSPLv1 / AGPLv3
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Feature Comparison

Infrastructure & Technical Details

FeatureElasticsearchRedis Vector Search
DeploymentSelf-Hosted, Managed Cloud, ServerlessSelf-Hosted (Redis Stack), Redis Enterprise, Redis Cloud
CostServerless: usage-based (ECU); Hosted: starts ~$95/month; Self-hosted: free (infra cost only)Redis Stack: Free (self-host); Cloud: starts $5/mo; Enterprise: shard-based pricing; Redis Flex: hybrid RAM+SSD
LicenseAGPL v3 / SSPL / Elastic License 2.0RSALv2 / SSPLv1 / AGPLv3
Index TypesHNSW, int8_hnsw, int4_hnsw, bbq_hnsw, FlatFLAT, HNSW
Cloud ProvidersAWS, Azure, GCP, Alibaba CloudAWS, Azure, GCP
Regional Flexibilityhighhigh
Strengths1211
Weaknesses812