Embeddings are useful, but “vector database” is not a complete architecture. Products also need filters, freshness guarantees, access control, and predictable operations.
Ask about the workload
How often do records change? How important are metadata filters? Does the system need keyword search as well as semantic search? These answers matter more than a feature checklist.
Optimize for the team
A tool that is slightly less specialized but easy to inspect and operate may be the better choice for a small team.
