ChromaDB
Easiest-to-install open-source vector DB. `pip install chromadb` and you have a working DB in 2 lines of code. Perfect for first RAG projects.
Strengths
- Two-line install, `pip install chromadb`
- Pythonic Python API, no SQL to learn
- Open-source, self-hostable, no limited free quota
Limitations
- Not designed for production scale beyond a few hundred thousand documents
- Fewer features than pgvector when you want SQL + vectors in the same query
Best for
- First RAG, pedagogical exercise, prototype
- Solo or desktop app that doesn't need a dedicated server