# Mixedbread (mxbai) vs sentence-transformers

**Leader by vioscaleAI score:** Mixedbread (mxbai)

| Attribute | Mixedbread (mxbai) | sentence-transformers |
|---|---|---|
| **vioscaleAI score** | 64.2 (58% (medium)) | 58.9 (54% (medium)) |
| activity.commits_last_30d | - | 100 |
| adoption.dependent_repos | - | 5,182 |
| adoption.github_stars | - | 19,174 |
| content.faq | `[{"answer":"A search and retrieval platform that indexes and queries text, images, PDFs, video, and audio across over 100 languages with minimal latency, requiring no infrastructure management or manual embedding configuration. It is indexed under Embeddings Apis.","source":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","question":"What is Mixedbread (mxbai)?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Mixedbread (mxbai) offers a free tier, so you can start without paying. Paid plans start at $0.30. Prices are published openly on the vendor's own pricing page. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","question":"Is Mixedbread (mxbai) free?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed browser-based access to Mixedbread (mxbai). That is the extent of what we could verify from public sources, so it may well offer desktop or mobile clients we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","question":"What platforms does Mixedbread (mxbai) support?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. Mixedbread (mxbai) can be deployed cloud / SaaS, hybrid and on-premise, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","question":"Can Mixedbread (mxbai) be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have confirmed 3 integrations for Mixedbread (mxbai), including Vercel, Google Drive and Slack. This is what we could verify from public sources, so the vendor may support others we have not indexed.","source":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","question":"What does Mixedbread (mxbai) integrate with?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"We have independently confirmed SOC 2 and ISO 27001 for Mixedbread (mxbai). Certifications we do not list are ones we have not been able to verify from public sources, which is not the same as Mixedbread (mxbai) not holding them. Always confirm compliance directly before you rely on it.","source":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","question":"What security certifications does Mixedbread (mxbai) have?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Mixedbread (mxbai) is available worldwide. Its primary market is the United States. The vendor is headquartered in the United States.","source":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","question":"Where is Mixedbread (mxbai) available?","confidence":0.75}]` | `[{"answer":"Python toolkit for generating semantic embeddings from text, images, audio, and video using transformer-based neural networks. Supports dense embedding models, cross-encoder rerankers for scoring and ranking, and late-interaction multi-vector models for advanced retrieval tasks. It is indexed under Embeddings Apis.","source":"https://www.sbert.net","question":"What is sentence-transformers?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"sentence-transformers is open source, so it can be self-hosted and used at no licence cost. It is released under the Apache-2.0 licence. Pricing changes often, so verify at source before relying on it.","source":"https://www.sbert.net","question":"Is sentence-transformers free to use?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. sentence-transformers can be deployed self-hosted, so it does not have to run on the vendor's infrastructure.","source":"https://www.sbert.net","question":"Can sentence-transformers be self-hosted?","confidence":0.6},{"answer":"Yes. sentence-transformers is published under the Apache-2.0 licence, a permissive licence that generally allows commercial use and modification. Licence terms can change between releases, so verify against the repository for the version you intend to use.","source":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers","question":"Is sentence-transformers open source?","confidence":0.95}]` |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"hybrid":true}` | `{"self_hosted":true}` |
| description.long | A managed platform that processes and indexes documents, images, audio, and video content, providing semantic search with optional reranking through an API. Pricing is usage-based with optional monthly credit allowances. | Python toolkit for generating semantic embeddings from text, images, audio, and video using transformer-based neural networks. Supports dense embedding models, cross-encoder rerankers for scoring and ranking, and late-interaction multi-vector models for advanced retrieval tasks. |
| features.capabilities | `{"soc2_type_ii":true,"pricing_model":"per_million_tokens_api","architecture_model":"hybrid","cross_encoder_reranker_api_offered":true,"late_interaction_architecture_colbert_v2":true,"multi_modal_image_and_text_joint_embeddings":true,"multilingual_support_across_100_plus_languages":true,"zero_data_retention_training_opt_out_enterprise":true}` | `{"pricing_model":"free_open_weights","architecture_model":"open_weights_local","cross_encoder_reranker_api_offered":true,"late_interaction_architecture_colbert_v2":true,"multi_modal_image_and_text_joint_embeddings":true}` |
| integrations.count | 3 | 1 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"Vercel","native":true,"direction":"bidirectional"},{"name":"Google Drive","native":true,"direction":"inbound"},{"name":"Slack","native":true,"category":"chat","direction":"inbound"}]` | `[{"name":"Hugging Face Hub"}]` |
| language.primary | - | Python |
| license.spdx | - | Apache-2.0 |
| market.availability | `{"primaryMarkets":["US"],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"web":true}` | - |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","plans":[{"free":true,"name":"Starter","summary":"Free with $5 one-time credits","features":["$5 one-time credits","3 workspace users","10 stores","100 requests/minute","Community Slack support"],"minSeats":3,"components":[{"kind":"one_time","amount":5,"currency":"USD"}],"description":"Free tier with included credits and basic limits","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"stores":"10","requests_per_minute":"100"}},{"free":false,"name":"Scale","summary":"$20/month plus usage-based pricing","features":["$20/month in included credits","Unlimited workspace users","10,000 stores","1,200 queries/min, 360 ingestion/min","Automatic backups","Priority Slack support (same-day SLA)"],"commitment":"monthly","components":[{"kind":"fixed","amount":20,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":1,"unit":"million input tokens"},"kind":"metered","amount":0.3,"currency":"USD"},{"per":{"qty":1,"unit":"million output tokens"},"kind":"metered","amount":0.72,"currency":"USD"}],"description":"Monthly subscription with higher capacity and priority support","contactSales":false,"includedLimits":{"stores":"10,000","workspace_users":"Unlimited","queries_per_minute":"1,200","ingestion_per_minute":"360"}},{"free":false,"name":"Enterprise","summary":"Custom pricing with volume discounts","features":["Volume-based discounts","Unlimited stores","Custom rate limits & SLA","Automatic backups with point-in-time recovery","Dedicated support team"],"description":"Custom plan with volume pricing and dedicated support","contactSales":true,"includedLimits":{"sla":"Custom","stores":"Unlimited","rate_limits":"Custom"}}],"addOns":[{"name":"Startup Credits Program"}],"summary":"From $20/month plus per-token API usage. Free tier available with $5 credits.","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.mixedbread.com/pricing","retrievedAt":"2026-08-25T21:46:40.403Z","startingPrice":{"amount":20,"period":"month","currency":"USD"},"billingPeriods":["month"]}` | `{"type":"open_source","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.sbert.net","retrievedAt":"2026-08-21T11:02:44.703Z"}` |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | yes |
| pricing.model | freemium | open_source |
| pricing.price_level | mid | free |
| pricing.starting_price | `{"amount":20,"currency":"USD"}` | - |
| pricing.transparent | yes | yes |
| release.cadence_days | - | 27 |
| release.history | - | `[{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v6.1.0","date":"2026-09-18T10:44:39Z","type":"stable","version":"v6.1.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v6.0.1","date":"2026-08-31T07:50:59Z","type":"stable","version":"v6.0.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v6.0.0","date":"2026-08-18T13:46:07Z","type":"stable","version":"v6.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.7.0","date":"2026-08-06T12:12:42Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.7.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.6.1","date":"2026-07-23T14:42:08Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.6.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.6.0","date":"2026-06-16T14:02:15Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.6.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.5.1","date":"2026-05-20T07:37:38Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.5.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.5.0","date":"2026-05-12T14:06:38Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.5.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.4.1","date":"2026-04-14T13:35:25Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.4.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.4.0","date":"2026-04-09T13:41:49Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.4.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.3.0","date":"2026-03-12T14:54:11Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.3.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.2.3","date":"2026-02-17T14:06:18Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.2.3"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.2.2","date":"2026-01-27T11:11:19Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.2.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.2.1","date":"2026-01-26T14:48:31Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.2.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.2.0","date":"2025-12-11T14:12:37Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.2.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.1.2","date":"2025-10-22T13:00:25Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.1.2"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.1.1","date":"2025-09-22T11:28:54Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.1.1"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.1.0","date":"2025-08-06T13:49:08Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.1.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v5.0.0","date":"2025-07-01T13:56:10Z","type":"stable","version":"v5.0.0"},{"url":"https://github.com/huggingface/sentence-transformers/releases/tag/v4.1.0","date":"2025-04-15T13:47:13Z","type":"stable","version":"v4.1.0"}]` |
| security.certifications | `[{"name":"SOC 2 Type II","level":"Type II","status":"active"},{"name":"ISO 27001","status":"active"}]` | - |
| security.iso27001 | yes | - |
| security.soc2 | yes | - |
| security.vulnerabilities | - | `{"count":1,"source":"https://advisories.ecosyste.ms/api/v1/advisories?ecosystem=pypi&package_name=sentence-transformers&per_page=100","last_12m":1,"max_severity":"CRITICAL"}` |

## Capabilities (Embeddings Apis)

| Capability | Mixedbread (mxbai) | sentence-transformers |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Architecture model | Hybrid | Open weights local |
| Matryoshka representation learning for dimension truncation | - | - |
| Multilingual support across 100 plus languages | ✓ | - |
| Binary and scalar quantization for memory reduction | - | - |
| Cross encoder reranker API offered | ✓ | ✓ |
| Late interaction architecture colbert v2 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Massive context window greater than 8k tokens | - | - |
| Multi modal image and text joint embeddings | ✓ | ✓ |
| Task specific prefixes query vs document instructions | - | - |
| Zero data retention training opt out enterprise | ✓ | - |
| SOC2 type ii | ✓ | - |
| Mit or apache permissive oss license | - | - |
| Pricing model | Per million tokens API | Free open weights |

*Source: vioscaleAI. Generated 2026-10-16T19:18:56.622Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*