Apache Cassandra vs TiDB: Choosing the Right Database for Your AI Applications

Apache Cassandra and TiDB are both scalable distributed databases that can handle large datasets, but they differ in their core architecture and how they handle vector search functionality. Cassandra is a NoSQL database designed to handle massive amounts of unstructured or semi-structured data with its flexible schema, while TiDB is an open-source SQL database offering hybrid transactional and analytical processing (HTAP) capabilities. Both systems support vector search through integration with external libraries and plugins, but specialized vector databases like Milvus and Zilliz Cloud are better suited for large-scale, high-performance vector search tasks. When choosing between Cassandra and TiDB for vector search, consider factors such as data handling, scalability, flexibility, integration, ease of use, cost, and security features.