When you buy through affiliate links in our content, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn Facial recognition technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, and the best facial recognition software can be a useful tool for both individuals and businesses conducting reverse face searches. These sophisticated systems use cutting-edge algorithms to analyze facial features, enabling quick and accurate identification across large databases.
Whether you need to conduct a reverse face search lookup to verify someone’s online identity, enhance security measures in your business, or find out who is stealing your copywritten artwork, there’s a facial recognition software tool that can help. After thorough testing and evaluation based on usability, cost, compatibility, and key features, I’ve compiled this shortlist of the very top performers. I’ll also touch on the offerings and limitations of the best free facial recognition search services.
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Social Catfish – Best facial recognition software for detecting a catfish
The Best Facial Recognition Software Tested By Our Experts
- Social Catfish – Best facial recognition software for detecting a catfish
- PimEyes – Best face recognition technology tool with advanced facial feature scanning technology
- Spokeo – Best facial recognition search engine for scanning public records
- TinEye – Best facial recognition software for finding image duplicates
- FaceCheck.ID – Easy-to-use, one-click facial recognition software with Chrome extension
- Clearview – Best facial recognition software for private security agencies
- Recognito – High-level biometric face recognition technology for advanced needs
What Is Facial Recognition Software?
Facial recognition software is a form of biometric technology which detects a person’s overall facial structure and features from a real-time video stream, or from an image or video frame. It then creates a unique faceprint for that person and conducts a reverse face search through a large database of faces on the web using advanced algorithms. Individuals and agencies can use face recognition technology software for identity verification or security purposes.
There are both web-based and app-based versions of facial recognition software, some requiring on-premise installation while others work through cloud services. You can integrate facial recognition technology into security cameras, smartphones, or specialized software, offering information like the search target’s name, phone number, social accounts, and similar images on the web.
How Facial Recognition Software Works
Facial recognition software works by capturing an image, extracting its unique features, encoding the “faceprint”, and comparing this to a database of images to generate confident matches. To build the faceprint it uses specialized algorithms to detect key facial landmarks, like the distance between the eyes or the exact shape of the nose.
Next, it will encode the faceprint. This means translating it into a string of numbers which it can quickly compare to large databases of other known faceprints. These will be labelled with the people’s identity notes (e.g. name or gender).
Then comes the matching part. Facial recognition software uses machine learning algorithms, often with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), to find the closest match based on similarity scores between the faceprints. When it matches faces within a certain confidence threshold, it will then verify the match and displays relevant data linked to the person the new photo has been matched to.
The Best Facial Recognition Software Reviewed
I tested dozens of face ID search apps to determine the best facial recognition software and create this shortlist of my top seven. My evaluations were based on criteria such as their accuracy in matching facial images with a person’s real identity, processing speed, ease of use, and pricing. I discovered these were the best for online face recognition and reverse image search:
| Starting Price | $5.73 |
|---|---|
| Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
| No. of Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Why We Picked It
I selected Social Catfish because it helps detect catfish accounts on social media platforms and dating sites, so you don’t fall victim to scams. Unlike FaceCheck.ID, which allows only photo searches, Social Catfish lets you verify identities using a person’s picture, name, username, email, home address, or job title. You can also use it to find long-lost connections.
Features
- Reverse Lookup Technology – Social Catfish’s standout feature allows for reverse image lookup or “face lookup”, name lookup, email lookup, address lookup, and username lookup. With this feature, you can verify the identity of people you meet online using their real names, usernames, emails, phone numbers, or pictures.
- Advanced Search – This feature searches social networks, dating platforms, education profiles, government IDs, professional records, and public databases to provide you with the social accounts, full names, physical home addresses, phone numbers, and even aliases and relatives of the person you’re searching for.
- Partnership with Dating Platforms – While some of Social Catfish’s information comes from public databases, I discovered that they have account partnerships with major dating sites—such as Tinder, Mingle2, Clover, and Elite Singles—that provide them access to specific private profile details, ensuring their reports are accurate and up-to-date.
Social Catfish Pricing
Social Catfish offers several flexible pricing plans that run daily, monthly, and annually with varying perks. There is also an option for customized facial lookup that involves hiring a Search Specialist. Here’s a breakdown:
| Regular Plans | Social Search | Image Search | Search Specialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Days | $5.73 | $6.87 | $397 (One time payment) |
| 1 Month | $27.48 | $28.97 | ❌ |
| Search Social Pro | 250 Social Searches | 500 Social Searches | 1,200 Social Searches |
| Monthly | $50 | $99 | $199 |
| Annually | $503/year | $953/year | $1,910/year |
- Social Search – With this plan, you can perform 100 social searches per billing cycle, covering names, emails, phone numbers, usernames, and addresses but excluding reverse image searches.
- Image Search – This plan offers unlimited reverse image searches for one billing cycle but does not include searches for names, emails, phone numbers, usernames, or addresses.
- Search Specialist – This plan is ideal if you want a specialist to conduct your facial search. A face search using this plan typically takes 3-5 days.
- Search Social Pro – All plans within this category offer the same set of features with the only difference being the number of social searches available per billing cycle.
Who It’s Best For
Social Catfish is best if you need a tool to verify identities across multiple dating platforms or reconnect with lost contacts, using not just photos for online face recognition but also names, emails, home addresses, and job titles. Its comprehensive range of features and deep search capabilities is what earns it the top spot on my list of facial recognition software.
Read our full Social Catfish review.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Verifies identities using wide variety of data points
- Extensive database
- Free-forever plan
Cons
- No clear refund policy
- Web app only
2. PimEyes – Best Face Recognition Technology Tool With Advanced Facial Feature Scanning Technology
| Starting Price | $29.99/month |
|---|---|
| Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
| No. of Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Why We Picked It
PimEyes is a multilingual search tool that uses advanced facial scanning technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning models to find pictures online, help you reclaim image rights, and protect your online identity. It is strictly for facial search and does not support other identity search queries like Social Catfish, which supports search queries like phone numbers, emails, and usernames.
Features
- Image Upload – During my testing, I was able to upload five pictures at once from my gallery and use the built-in camera to take live photos. The good part is that it doesn’t store your live pictures, protecting your privacy.
- High Processing Speed – When I uploaded my photo, I got 16 results in less than 5 seconds using the free search option and could export the report as CSV or PDF. These results comprised similar faces to mine, including their sources, IDs, and an option to exclude specific images from PimEye’s public search.
- Photo Eraser – I also found a photo eraser feature, which is very helpful if you want to have better control over your digital media. You can use it to erase any existing photos online, minimizing the risk of people using your face or artwork without your consent.
- Alert Function – The set alert feature helps you monitor your online presence. With the alert, the app can email you when it finds new results containing your face or copyrighted material.
PimEyes Pricing
PimEyes offers flexible pricing plans catering to quick and long-term facial search needs. Check it out below:
| Duration | Open Plus Plan | Protect Plan | Advanced Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $29.99 | $39.99 | $299.99 |
- Open Plus Plan: This plan allows up to 25 searches daily, up to 3 PimEyes Alerts, and a dedicated support system. I recommend it if you’re looking for advanced facial feature scanning tools but can’t commit to expensive plans.
- Protect Plan: This plan offers up to 25 searches daily, up to 15 PimEyes Alerts, customized service from a PrimEyes agent, and dedicated support.
- Advanced Plan – Allows unlimited searches, up to 500 PimEyes’s Alerts, a deep search mechanism, and dedicated support throughout your subscription.
Note that PimEyes doesn’t offer a demo, free trials, or refunds after purchasing any of its plans. However, it offers a one-time fee of $14.99 to view the search results of a particular session.
Who It’s Best For
PimEyes is best for anyone looking for a sophisticated, multi-lingual (English, Hindi, Spanish, Korean, Portuguese, Japanese, and Russian) facial recognition search engine. However, it is not a good choice for people on a budget, as it’s comparatively quite pricey. It also supports only image lookup, making Social Catfish a better choice for broader searches.
Pros
- Conducts in-depth face ID search with accurate results
- Free search option available
- Available in multiple languages
Cons
- No clear refund policy
- No free trial or demo version
3. Spokeo – Best Facial Recognition Search Engine for Scanning Public Records
| Starting Price | $0.95/7-Day Trial |
|---|---|
| Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
| No. of Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Compatible with all devices |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Why We Picked It
Spokeo made it on my list because it’s a robust people search engine. It allows you to look up information about people from a wide range of public records and combines all the data into an easy-to-understand report in less than a minute. However, it is not a direct facial search tool like Social Catfish.
Features
- Advanced Search – One key thing that distinguishes Spokeo from its competition is its advanced search capabilities. Spokeo scans over 50 million property records, consumer records, historical records, court records, business records, and social networks to provide comprehensive reports on a specific search target.
- Other Search Options – Although it is not a direct facial recognition search engine, I could perform an in-depth search using a person’s name, phone number, or email. With the report generated, which includes pictures, I could cross-reference these with the pictures I have in my gallery.
- Regular Updates – Spokeo provides regular updates on the reports you receive for the lifetime of your account. If you don’t find all the info you were looking for at first, you can always check later, as their data automatically refreshes and updates the report.
- Broad USA Name Search – This feature allows you to search for popular names in the U.S. through a vast array of public records, including federal, state, and county databases. It then provides a detailed report of the name, including their criminal records, residential address, and phone number.
Spokeo Pricing
For an identity verification tool with several features, Spokeo has quite budget-friendly pricing plans available for different durations. Below is a breakdown:
| Duration | Spokeo Pricing |
|---|---|
| 7-Day Trial | $0.95 |
| 1 Month | $14.95 |
| 3 Months | $19.95/month |
Spokeo accepts payment via several platforms, such as PayPal, GPay, and Venmo. Both pricing plans have the same features I discussed above, and you can cancel your subscription at any time. While there is no free trial or refund policy, if you are dissatisfied with your results, you can contact Spokeo’s customer support team, and they’ll give you a hand.
Who It’s Best For
Spokeo is best suited for people who want to perform comprehensive background checks or locate specific individuals using their name, email, phone number, or social media profiles. It isn’t completely suited for those who want to conduct a face recognition search specifically. If that’s your preference, you should consider Social Catfish, which allows direct facial lookups.
Read our full Spokeo review.
Pros
- Advanced search capabilities from over 50 million databases
- Fast and comprehensive; generates search reports in one minute
- Regularly updates reports for duration of subscription
- Offers “Broad Name Search” for common names in the USA
Cons
- No direct facial search
- Name search feature is only available for U.S. residents
4. TinEye – Best Facial Recognition Software for Finding Image Duplicates
| Starting Price | $200 for 5,000 searches ($0.04/search) |
|---|---|
| Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
| No. of Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Why We Picked It
TinEye is a powerful tool for verifying pictures online. It allows you to identify duplicate or previously flagged images—even if they’ve been modified. It scans through over 70 billion web image indexes in real time and has more advanced image recognition APIs than Spokeo.
Features
- MatchEngine – The first TinEye feature I discovered during testing is the MatchEngine API, which scans the image you upload and finds duplicates online, including those that have been resized and modified. You can use it to check if the image someone sent to you is a stock photo by simply uploading the image or providing its URL.
- TinEye Alerts – This feature shows you where and how your images appear online. You can upload any artwork or copyrighted image and set alerts to be notified when someone uses or modifies it without your permission.
- Chrome Extension – You can add the TinEye web app as an extension to your Chrome browser to make it easily accessible. TinEye also provides experts to help you solve your image search challenges so you can have the best experience with the software.
TinEye Pricing
TinEye bills based on the number of searches you intend to perform, instead of monthly. Check the plans below:
| Plan | TineEye Pricing |
|---|---|
| Starter | $200 for 5,000 searches ($0.04/search) |
| Basic | $300 for 10,000 searches ($0.03/search) |
| Corporate | $1,000 for 50,000 searches ($0.02/search) |
| Enterprise | $10,000 for 1,000,000 searches ($0.01/search) |
The good thing about TinEye’s pricing is that each bundle you purchase is valid for two years, which is pretty impressive. However, you can’t roll over unused searches for a specific subscription. There is also no free trial or demo version and no clear refund policy if you’re unsatisfied with your purchase.
Who It’s Best For
TinEye is best suited for enterprises, small businesses, and startups looking for budget-friendly image recognition technology to integrate into their systems. It’s not the best fit for individuals who want to do fewer searches (fewer than 5,000 searches based on the Starter Plan). If you only need a tool for occasional face searches, PimEyes might be a better option.
Pros
- Advanced image recognition APIs
- Personalized customer support
- Searches over 70 billion image indexes
Cons
- Can’t read images over 10MB in size
- Pricer for those needing minimal or individual searches
5. FaceCheck.ID – Easy-To-Use One-Click Facial Recognition Software With Chrome Extension
| Starting Price | $19 (Crypto Only) |
|---|---|
| Free Trial/Demo | ❌ |
| No. of Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Why We Picked It
FaceCheck.ID helps answer the question: Who is this person? All I had to do was upload my picture via the Chrome extension, and it was checked against millions of faces from social media posts, scam accounts, and criminal and news websites, providing my social media profiles and lookalikes online.
FaceCheck.ID is also often celebrated as the best free facial recognition search tool as it allows for up to ten free searches per day. Just keep in mind that the database it can access is more limited than for the affordable premium plans, so performance will be less reliable and accurate.
Features
- Access Result Links – I discovered that FaceCheck.ID’s Access Links feature allows you to directly browse source websites where the images are found. This function is particularly helpful for artists and photographers who want to identify people who steal their work.
- Danger Detection – The software also provides instant danger detection by flagging high-risk sources. When matching images from potentially harmful or untrustworthy sites are found, red flag icons are displayed at the top of your results. I found this feature really useful, as it helps you spot potential threats quickly and act accordingly.
- Set Alerts – The Alerts feature also stands out for me, as it keeps you updated by sending daily face-match alerts through the Telegram app. These notifications provide real-time updates, keeping you in the loop about new matches or potential risks. Even better, you can export search results in PDF or Excel formats.
FaceCheck.ID Pricing
FaceCheck.ID offers extensive pricing plans for different durations. This makes it suitable for immediate and long-term face search needs. It also allows you to conduct a limited number of searches a day for free, although the database it used for this is not as deep as for the paid plans. Here’s a breakdown:
| FaceCheck.ID Plans | Duration | Pricing (Crypto Only) |
|---|---|---|
| Rookie Sleuth | 14 Days | $19 |
| Private Eye | 2 months | $47 |
| Deep Investigator | 6 months | $197 |
| The Professional | 1 year | $597 |
- Rookie Sleuth – This plan offers 150 credits, priority search, and access to links. I’d recommend it if you’re looking to complete a one-click facial recognition search and not in it for the long haul.
- Private Eye – Offers 400 credits, access to links, priority and continuous search, and Telegram Alerts, making it suitable for relatively longer-term use.
- Deep Investigator – This plan includes 2000 credits, access to links, priority search, continuous search, and Telegram alerts.
- The Professional – Offers 10,000 credits, access to links, priority search, continuous search, Telegram alerts, and export to PDF and Excel.
You can purchase any of the plans with Solana, Bitcoin, or Litecoin via PayPal, Venmo, Phantom, Coinbase, Skrill, BitPay, or Cash App.
FaceCheck.ID does not offer refunds, free trials, or a demo version for users to test the service before purchasing. However, it will let you search up to 10 faces for free per day across a shallower database than it uses for its paid plans. My advice? Go for the Rookie Sleuth plan over the free tier.
Who It’s Best For
FaceCheck.ID is best if you’re looking for an easy-to-use, comprehensive facial recognition tool that can be integrated into your Chrome browser. However, it’s not great for anyone not familiar with making online payments in cryptocurrency. With such a downside, Spokeo is a better option, as it has a more straightforward payment process.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable and flexible pricing plans
- Chrome extension
Cons
- Payment in crypto only
- No clear refund policy
6. Clearview.AI – Best Facial Recognition Software for Private Security Agencies
| Starting Price | On Request |
|---|---|
| Free Trial/Demo | ✅ |
| No. of Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Why We Picked It
Clearview earns a spot on my list because of its unparalleled accuracy and extensive database. This is particularly suitable for private security companies or similar businesses. Unlike FaceCheck.ID, Clearview’s framework is for large-scale face ID searches.
Features
- Massive Database – Clearview offers access to over 40 billion facial images, making it easier to match faces across diverse sources quickly. You can take advantage of this feature to get fast and detailed identification results.
- Real-time Alerts and Multilingual support -The Real-Time Alerts feature sends notifications when matches are found, ensuring you stay updated about new threats or persons of interest. You can also export and share your reports in PDF or Excel, and the platform supports multiple languages, including English, Portuguese, Ukrainian, and Spanish.
- Search Organization – Another noteworthy feature is Clearview’s organization function, which allows you to organize multiple searches of the same or different persons of interest within the same investigation. This makes it easy to collaborate on investigative projects.
Pricing
Clearview offers two pricing plans: Basic and Pro. Due to its particular customer base, Clearview’s pricing is customized and available upon request. You can also request a demo directly from Clearview’s sales team.
- The Basic Plan includes the Clearview AI application, extensive database, regular updates, support via email and chat from Monday to Friday (9 AM—5 PM EST), and an assigned customer success manager.
- The Pro Plan, on the other hand, includes all basic features plus still image extraction, collaboration and information sharing, integration with Clearview partners, and advanced customer support, making it ideal for agencies with comprehensive facial recognition needs.
Who It’s Best For
Clearview is best for larger corporations and security companies. However, you can leverage its sophisticated framework for face ID searches. One downside to this facial search engine is its lack of transparency regarding pricing. If you’re looking for software with clear pricing and a feature set that extends beyond facial searches, opt for Spokeo instead.
Pros
- Real-time facial recognition alerts
- Available in multiple languages
- Robust customer support
Cons
- Lack of transparency with pricing
- Requires technical support to set up
7. Recognito – High-Level Biometric Facial Recognition Technology for Advanced Needs
| Starting Price | On Request |
|---|---|
| Free Trial/Demo | ✅ |
| No. of Devices | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ |
Why We Picked It
I picked Recognito because it offers high-level biometric face recognition technology that is not offered by most platforms in the market. These features are tailored to advanced needs, unlike standard offerings from providers like Social Catfish.
Features
- Face Recognition SDK – This feature allows you to verify the identity of anyone online with just one image.
- ID Document Recognition SDK – This feature extracts data from any ID document you upload and converts it into text in seconds.
- ID Document Liveness Detection SDK – Similar to the second feature, this function is particularly beneficial to business owners. You can use this SDK to stop fraudsters from uploading forged and fake document images about your business online.
- Face Liveness Recognition SDK – This feature detects whether a selfie is live and genuine, not an AI-generated image or injection. This is helpful for mitigating threats posed by deep fake technology, which is among the top 10 cybersecurity threats currently facing both individuals and businesses.
Pricing
Recognito is an on-premise, fully offline, and on-device solution. As such, you’ll have to contact the sales team for a quote. Before you do that, note that the platform offers two subscription plans—a 15-day Free Trial License and a Lifetime License:
- The 15-day Free Trial license offers a demo, complete feature access, performance evaluation, and integration support.
- The Lifetime License includes one-time payment, free support and updates, and permanent use.
Who It’s Best For
Recognito is best for businesses looking for a feature-rich identity verification provider to protect themselves from scammers and authenticate their business’ digital profile. It is not ideal if you’re looking for a basic tool for individual, small-scale searches.
In this case, you’re better off choosing TinEye instead, as it provides standard identity search APIs, staple facial recognition capabilities, and transparent pricing.
Pros
- Doesn’t need internet connection
- Advanced facial and biometric verification features
- Great for medium and large-scale business needs
Cons
- Pricing not transparent
- Not beginner-friendly and requires technical support to set up
The Best Facial Recognition Software Compared
Below is a detailed comparison of the seven best facial recognition software tools in 2024. Let’s take a look at how they differ from each other and decide which one is ideal for you:
| Provider | Social Catfish | PimEyes | Spokeo | TinEye | FaceCheck.ID | Clearview | Recognito |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free | $29.99/month | $0.95/7-Day Trial | $200 for 5,000 searches | $19/14 days | N/A | N/A |
| Free Trial/Demo | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Top Features | Reverse Lookup Technology, Account Partnerships, Free Trial | Photo Eraser, High Processing Speed, Set Alert, Image Upload Capacity | USA Name Search, Regular Updates, Advanced Search Capabilities | MatchEngine, TinEye Alerts, Web Application | Access Links, Instant Danger Detection, Alerts Feature | Massive Database, Multi-lingual, Real-Time Alerts, Organization Function | Face Recognition SDK, ID Document Recognition SDK, ID Document Liveness Recognition SDK, Face Liveness Recognition SDK |
| No. of devices | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Compatibility | Windows and macOS | Windows and macOS | Compatible with all devices | Windows and macOS | Windows and macOS | Windows and macOS | Windows, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Money-back Guarantee | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
How We Review And Test Spyware Apps
Important Note: Spy software is not legal to use without the device owner’s permission in many countries and states. When we test spy software, we do so only with the explicit consent of the device owner and in compliance with local laws and regulations.
To provide our readers with accurate and well-informed recommendations, we test the most popular spy applications on the market to find the best options for you. Our methodology consists of the following criteria:
- General Features: We evaluate the comprehensive feature set of each spy app, including but not limited to features such as App Management, Time Management, Call Monitoring, Device Control and GPS Tracking.
- Ease of Use: We gauge the user-friendliness of each app, considering factors such as installation process complexity, the necessity of jailbreaking (for iOS) or rooting (for Android) the target device, and more.
- Device Support and Compatibility: We thoroughly examine the compatibility of each spyware app with different devices and operating systems, including iOS and Android. We also assess whether the app offers a unified dashboard accessible from both desktop and mobile devices.
- Customer Support: We test the responsiveness and effectiveness of customer support provided by each app developer. We evaluate the availability of support channels, such as live chat, email, or phone support, as well as the satisfaction ratings of customer assistance.
- Price and Value for Money: We assess each spyware app’s pricing structure in relation to its features and functionalities, aiming to determine its overall value proposition. We analyze whether the app offers different subscription tiers, flexible payment options, and discounts for long-term commitments. Additionally, we check whether the app provides free trials or demos for users to test its capabilities before making a purchase.
- Privacy and Security: We prioritize the privacy and security of user data in our evaluation. We scrutinize the app’s data encryption measures, adherence to privacy regulations, and commitment to regular security updates to safeguard user information from unauthorized access or breaches.
More on How We Test Facial Recognition Software
To ensure our recommendations are practical and trustworthy, we rigorously test each facial recognition search engine using real-world scenarios. Here’s how we test tools in this niche:
- Identity Verification: We test how effectively the tools identify individuals using diverse datasets, including images with varying angles, expressions, and backgrounds. This helps simulate real-life identity verification use cases.
- Finding Stolen Content: We upload copyrighted images and artwork to see how well the tool detects unauthorized use or duplicate images across the web.
- Social Media Detection: Using sample photos, we evaluate how accurately the tools locate social media profiles and other online appearances tied to the uploaded face.
- Business Applications: For tools marketed for security or enterprise use, we simulate scenarios like employee identity verification or customer recognition systems to test their scalability and reliability.
- Ethical Use Monitoring: We check for features like opt-out options, transparency in data usage, and compliance with ethical AI guidelines, ensuring these tools align with privacy and legal standards.
What Are The Benefits of Using Facial Recognition Software?
Using face recognition technology has become inherently necessary for staying safe online, especially with the rise in communication across different social networks as well as dating apps. Below are some of the core benefits you stand to gain from using it:
- Fraud Prevention – Face recognition software ensures that the person you’re interacting with on social networks is truly who they claim to be, reducing the risk of catfishing and impersonation.
- Personal Privacy Protection – These tools help protect your identity by ensuring no one is using your image or pretending to be you online, safeguarding you against identity theft.
- Tracking Stolen Art – If you’re an artist or photographer, face recognition search engines can help you find other individuals or platforms using your intellectual property without your permission, either for commercial or malicious purposes.
- Criminal Surveillance – Law enforcement agencies can use facial recognition software to scan surveillance footage and quickly identify criminals responsible for break-ins into your home or constitute any form of threat to your safety, both online and physically.
- Finding Missing People – Face recognition is invaluable in locating missing persons by matching their images in public spaces or on surveillance footage.
Is Facial Recognition Software Safe?
Facial recognition search engines are safe. However, like any technology that deals with personal data, they come with potential risks. The safety largely depends on how well the provider handles data security, privacy, and compliance with general and regional regulations.
If the tool encrypts sensitive information, anonymizes user data, and follows GDPR or other privacy standards, it’s generally considered secure. However, storing images without consent or sharing data with third parties is a red flag.
To ensure you’re using a safe tool, take precautions like reviewing the provider’s privacy policy, checking for transparency in data usage, and confirming compliance with local regulations. You can also save yourself the stress and choose one of the providers I have personally tested on this list.
What is the Best Free Facial Recognition Software?
FaceCheck.ID is often referenced as the best free facial recognition software as it allows up to 10 free searches a day on its free tier. However, its database access for the free service is quite shallow, meaning its performance may be hit and miss, and the usage limits won’t be enough for a lot of users.
However, to be frank, I wouldn’t say there are any completely free facial recognition search engines that are worth using.
Free facial recognition tools or plans are subject to stringent limitations in terms of usage, results, accuracy and features. Even if the tools are marketed as free, it’s not uncommon that they will actually only send you partial results and ask for you to pay to unlock the full information. They will pretty much always come with restrictive daily usage restrictions, and due to their limited access to databases, their results will be less accurate and reliable than those of affordable premium tools.
Also very important to note: free facial search tools are more likely to open you up to privacy and security risks due to lacking data protection infrastructure.
You could try using Google Reverse Image Search if you want a completely free service to lookup facial images. Just be aware that this is not a specialized tools for facial recognition and identification. It also won’t offer you the filter options or detailed analysis and reports that low-cost paid facial search engines will.
How To Choose The Best Facial Recognition Software
The facial recognition market is packed with different applications, each with distinct features. Before jumping into the search frenzy to find the best facial recognition software for your needs, here are the most important factors to consider:
- Purpose and Use Case: Define the reason you need facial recognition software. Is it to identify catfishers on dating platforms, verify someone’s identity, or reconnect with a lost pal? Different applications specialize in different areas, so I advise that you first understand your intent for a facial search tool before making a choice.
- Budget: Prices for facial recognition software can vary widely. Check the pricing plans and payment options of the solution to ensure it fits within your budget while offering the core features required for your use case.
- Ease of Use: How much you can get from a facial search tool depends on how well you can use it. Ensure you can install, navigate, and manage the software with little or no assistance. Also, look for facial recognition search engines that offer clear documentation and support.
- Support & Privacy: Facial recognition involves sensitive data, so it’s crucial to choose software with standard encryption and data privacy measures. Also, make sure it complies with relevant general and regional data protection regulations, like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Key Features: Do you want a direct facial search tool or a general lookup tool? Do you need high accuracy in identifying faces in various conditions, such as different lighting or angles? Consider the specific features you’d want your ideal tool to have before committing to ensure you’re getting value for your money.
- Customer Support: Facial recognition search engines are susceptible to occasional glitches. In such moments, you’ll want prompt assistance to resolve the issue. Ensure the provider offers quality customer support via multiple channels, such as chatbot, email, or phone, before subscribing.
How To Reverse Face Search - Step-By-Step
Performing a reverse face search, especially on Social Catfish, is quite straightforward. Here's a step-by-step procedure on how I did it.
Step 1 – Sign Up on Social Catfish
Visit Social Catfish’s official website. Click the ‘Login‘ button at the top right of the homepage. Next, click ‘Sign Up‘ at the bottom of the dropdown dashboard to select a plan.
Step 2 – Pick A Plan
Select a pricing plan that covers your unique needs and aligns with your budget, and pay for it to receive your login details.
Step 3 – Log In to Your Account
After paying for your preferred plan, go back to the ‘Login‘ dashboard to input your email address or username and password.
Step 4 – Go to the Reverse Image Search Page
On the homepage, click on the ‘Image‘ option, which will direct you to the Reverse Image Search page. When on the page, click ‘Browse and upload the image here‘ inside the search bar.
Step 5 – Select and Upload the Image
Select and upload the image you want to use for a reverse face search. Wait until it uploads, then click ‘Search.’ You can access the results when the search is completed.
Conclusion – What is the Best Facial Recognition Software?
My top recommended facial recognition software Social Catfish. It ranks as number one on this list because it provides accurate results and is not limited to reverse face search or reverse image lookup alone. You can verify the identity of people you meet online using their government names, usernames, emails, or phone numbers. I also recommend Spokeo for its user-friendly interface and widespread access to a ton of private databases.
