Comparison

FastEmbed vs Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings

On the evidence we track, FastEmbed leads this comparison with a composite score of 57/100. Scores are only directly comparable because these tools share a category; the full breakdown and every source is below.

Machine formatsMarkdownJSONGraphQLMarkdown is open. JSON and GraphQL need a free key.
★FastEmbed57
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings46
Score
vioscaleAI score
FastEmbed57 / 100medium · 54%
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings46 / 100low · 35%
Pricing
Free tier
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
Model
FastEmbedopen_source
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddingsfreemium
Price level
FastEmbedfree
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddingslow
Transparent
FastEmbed–
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✗
Integrations
Count
FastEmbed3
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings1
Adoption
Dependent repos
FastEmbed4
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings–
Github stars
FastEmbed3,244
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings–
Activity
Commits last 30d
FastEmbed71
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings–
Release
Cadence days
FastEmbed33
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings–
History
FastEmbed20 items
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings–
License
Spdx
FastEmbedApache-2.0
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings–
Language
Primary
FastEmbedPython
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings–
Market
Availability
FastEmbed–
Google Vertex AI Text EmbeddingsAvailable worldwide · Popular in US
Content
Faq
FastEmbed3 items
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings4 items

Capabilities

Feature-by-feature on the axes that matter for embeddings apis. “-” means undocumented, not absent.

Capabilities
Architecture model
FastEmbedOpen weights local
Google Vertex AI Text EmbeddingsManaged cloud API
Matryoshka representation learning for dimension truncation
FastEmbed-
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings-
Multilingual support across 100 plus languages
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
Binary and scalar quantization for memory reduction
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings-
Cross encoder reranker API offered
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings-
Late interaction architecture colbert v2
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings-
Massive context window greater than 8k tokens
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
Multi modal image and text joint embeddings
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
Task specific prefixes query vs document instructions
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
Zero data retention training opt out enterprise
FastEmbed-
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings-
SOC2 type ii
FastEmbed-
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings-
Mit or apache permissive oss license
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings-
Pricing model
FastEmbedFree open weights
Google Vertex AI Text EmbeddingsPer million tokens API

What each one is

The product in its own terms, so the numbers below have context.

FastEmbed

Leader

FastEmbed is a Python library that generates text and image embeddings using ONNX Runtime, eliminating the need for large PyTorch dependencies. It supports various embedding models including sparse embeddings, late-interaction models, and cross-encoders, making it suitable for serverless and resource-constrained environments.

Independently observed

Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings

A cloud-based API that transforms text into high-dimensional vector embeddings using deep learning. Supports multiple languages and task types, integrating with vector databases for efficient semantic search.

Independently observed

Pricing

List pricing as published by each vendor, with the date we read it. Always verify at the source before you buy.

FastEmbed

Leader
Open sourceFree tier
as of verify ↗

Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings

Usage-basedFree tier

Usage-based pricing; new customers receive $300 in free credits

as of verify ↗

Platform & deployment

Where each product runs and how it can be hosted. A dash means undocumented, not unsupported.

Platforms
Web
FastEmbed–
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
CLI
FastEmbed–
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
Deployment
Cloud / SaaS
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✓
Self-hosted
FastEmbed✓
Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings✗

Integrations

What each product connects to. Counts come from the vendor's own integration directory where one exists.

FastEmbed

Leader
3 total
  • Qdrant
  • Langchain
  • Llama Index
Independently observed

Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings

1 total
  • Vector Search
Independently observed
Still deciding?

FastEmbed or Google Vertex AI Text Embeddings: which one depends on you

A composite score cannot know your constraints. Describe them and both get re-weighted against what you actually need, with the evidence behind every position.

Free to run, no account needed to start. How the evaluation works

Comparison generated from independently-sourced facts. Every value links to its source and retrieval date. See the method.