Comparison

Sherlock vs Watson

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sherlock

Identify the origin and authenticity of images. This tool checks where a photo appears online, detects AI-generated content, and describes its contents, helping you verify pictures before trusting them.

Highlights
  • Reverse image search
  • AI-generated photo detection
  • Image content identification
  • On-device search history
  • Encrypted photo uploads
  • No account required
Features
Read full description

Sherlock is a reverse image search and AI photo checker. Drop in a photo and Sherlock shows you where that image already appears online, whether it looks AI-generated, and what's in it — so you can check a picture before you trust it. WHY SHERLOCK A photo can be borrowed, resold, or generated. Before you act on one, it's worth knowing whether it has been somewhere else first. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Reverse Image Search — find the public pages and sites where the same picture already appears. • Spot AI-Generated Photos — get a score for how likely a picture was made by AI. • Identify What's in the Photo — get a plain description of the object shown. • Keep Your Results — past checks are saved on your device, and only there. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick a photo, take one, or paste an image address. 2. Sherlock runs a reverse image search and an AI-generation check. 3. You get a report: where the image appears, how AI-likely it looks, and what it shows. GOOD FOR • A listing photo that looks too good for the price. • A picture someone sent you that feels off. • Checking whether an image is a real photo or AI output. • Finding pages that are using a photo of your own. WHOLE-IMAGE SEARCH, NOT FACE RECOGNITION Sherlock matches the whole picture. It is not facial recognition. It does not detect, scan, or map faces, and it never creates or stores biometric data. It finds public web pages where the same image already appears. PRIVACY • Photos are uploaded over an encrypted connection only to run your check, then deleted from our servers right after — never used to train AI. • Your search history stays on your device. Turn it off or clear it anytime in Settings. • No name or email needed to get started. • Before your first check, Sherlock names every service your photo is sent to. AI NOTICE Reports are generated automatically and can be incomplete or inaccurate. Sherlock gives you signals, not verdicts — always verify before acting. FREE & PREMIUM Start with a free check each day. Premium unlocks unlimited checks and full reports. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled; manage anytime in your App Store account. Privacy Policy: https://www.imagesearch.mobi/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.imagesearch.mobi/terms

About

Watson

This utility app performs reverse image searches specifically for faces. Upload a clear photo to find visually similar faces across public webpages, with a match score provided for each result. It helps verify identities and protect against the misuse of personal photos.

Highlights
  • Reverse face image search
  • Scans public webpages
  • Match score for results
  • Verify identities
  • Protect against photo misuse
  • Free initial search credit
Read full description

Watson is reverse image search built for faces. Upload one clear photo and Watson scans public webpages for visually similar faces, then shows you where they appear with a match score for every result. WHY PEOPLE USE WATSON - Check yourself. See where your own photos show up across the public web. - Verify before you trust. A new match, a new seller, a new roommate. Make sure their photo is really theirs. - Protect people you love. Spot stolen photos and fake profiles built on someone else's face. HOW IT WORKS 1. Pick one clear, front-facing photo. 2. Watson searches the public web for visually similar faces. 3. Review matched pages with source links and match scores. Your uploaded photo is used for the search and then deleted. SIMPLE CREDITS Every account starts with a free search credit. A search uses one credit, and if a search fails or times out the credit comes right back. Top up with credit packs, or go Pro: - Watson Pro Weekly: 8 searches every week - Watson Pro Monthly: 35 searches every month Subscriptions renew automatically and can be canceled anytime. BUILT FOR RESPONSIBLE USE Watson searches only the public web. No private accounts, no private databases. Use Watson for lawful personal purposes only, and review our Terms before searching. Terms: https://searchwatson.com/terms Privacy: https://searchwatson.com/privacy Support: https://searchwatson.com/support

Screenshots

Sherlock4 screens
Watson3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Watson at 4.6 against Sherlock's 2.0. Watson also leads on ratings volume (13 vs 4). Sherlock's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs monthly). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Sherlock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and Watson sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Watson holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 13 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sherlock ships an update every 5 days, Watson monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Sherlock versus Watson: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSherlockWatson
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (4 ratings)4.6 (13 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings413 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB38 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperDr. Duck and His Friends Technology Co.Perseverance Peak Holdings LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Sherlock

Subscriptions2
  • Sherlock X Premium Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Sherlock X Premium Yearly$69.991 Year
7 purchases

Watson

Subscriptions2
  • Watson Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Watson Monthly$24.991 Month
One-time5
  • 1 Search Credit$0.99
  • 5 Search Credits$4.99
  • 10 Search Credits$9.49
Show 2 more
  • 25 Search Credits$22.99
  • 50 Search Credits$44.99

Questions

Is Sherlock free?
Sherlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Watson free?
Watson is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sherlock or Watson?
Watson is rated higher. Sherlock averages 2.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Watson averages 4.6 from 13 ratings.
Do Sherlock or Watson have ads?
Neither Sherlock nor Watson shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sherlock or Watson?
Sherlock ships an update every 5 days, and Watson monthly. Most recently, Sherlock was updated on October 31, 2026 and Watson on November 5, 2026.

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