Vector databases and RAG
Pinecone: review, pricing, data and alternatives
Pinecone helps people build vector searches and document assistants. It stores and searches vectors, combines semantic and keyword search, filters results by metadata, and creates vector representations of texts. A free tier exists; the first paid plan costs $20 per month. Access and transparency score: 78/100, #2 of 7 in its category.
| Access | 25/30 | |
|---|---|---|
| Openness | 20/30 | |
| Trust | 33/40 |
What is Pinecone?
Pinecone helps people build vector searches and document assistants. It stores and searches vectors, combines semantic and keyword search, filters results by metadata, and creates vector representations of texts.
According to its documentation, Pinecone lets you:
- store and search vectors
- combine semantic search and keyword search
- filter results by their metadata
- create vector representations of texts
- provide knowledge to a document assistant
We file it under Vector databases and RAG, the category of tools to connect your documents to an AI (RAG), and it also overlaps with enterprise search. The category lists 7 verified tools on this site.
The publisher is Pinecone Systems, Inc., based in United States. The service launched in 2021, which gives it some track record.
Who is it for?
It is mostly useful to these profiles: developers and data analysts. The need it covers is simple to state: connect your documents to an AI (RAG).
Pinecone is a good candidate if:
- you want to try before paying
- you plan to connect it to your tools or automations through its API
Before deciding, run a trial on a real task and measure the time saved: it is the only criterion that really counts.
How much does Pinecone cost?
Pricing model: freemium (limited free use, then paid). A free plan is offered, usually limited in volume or features.
The first paid plan costs $20 per month (Builder, monthly plan with usage quotas), according to the pricing page, checked on October 24, 2026.
Per month, that is cheaper than the category median ($49 per month, based on tools with a published price).
To estimate what the same work would cost done directly with an AI model, use our API price calculator. Prices change often: always check the official site before subscribing.
Data and privacy
According to its privacy policy, data is processed in several regions depending on the plan.
Exporting your content: yes (details on the official site). Being able to get your data back makes switching tools easier later.
Three habits apply to every AI tool:
- turn off the use of your content for training if the option exists
- use a work account separate from your personal account
- review everything the tool produces before publishing or sending it
Platforms, languages and API
Pinecone runs on: web browser and API.
Interface languages: English.
A public API lets you call it from your own programs or an automation tool, and plug it into an AI agent.
How we scored it
Our 78/100 score does not judge output quality: it measures what can be publicly verified about access to the tool, its openness and how far the publisher can be trusted.
| Criterion | Points | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Access | 25/30 | free tier, published price, French interface |
| Openness | 20/30 | API, data export, open code |
| Trust | 33/40 | identified publisher, declared hosting, age, presence in reference lists |
The full calculation is explained on our method page.
Comparison with alternatives
Pinecone against other tools in the vector databases and RAG category:
Verdict
Pinecone is among the most accessible and transparent tools in its category.
Strengths
- Free tier to try it
- Cheaper than its category median
- Public API
- Established since 2021
Alternatives
Categories and jobs
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
Is Pinecone free?
Yes, a free plan exists, with usage limits. The first paid plan costs $20 per month.
Where is Pinecone data stored?
According to the publisher, in several regions depending on the plan.
Does Pinecone have an API?
Yes, a public API is documented.
What are the alternatives to Pinecone?
In the same category: LlamaIndex, Weaviate, Chroma, and Agentset.
Pinecone or LlamaIndex: which one to choose?
Pinecone starts at $20 per month, LlamaIndex at $50 per month and our score is 78/100 for Pinecone and 95/100 for LlamaIndex. Try both on the same task before paying.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score