A reverse image search engine that finds where an image appears online and tracks modified copies of it.
TinEye is worth it for users who need to track exact and modified copies of a specific image. TinEye finds where an image appears, flags edited versions, and verifies a source. The web search runs free, and the API starts at $200 per month for automated work. Users who need object recognition or product search are better served by free tools like Google Lens.
TinEye is a reverse image search engine that finds where an image appears online and tracks modified copies of it. Idée Inc., a private company based in Toronto, Canada, owns and operates TinEye. Leila Boujnane and Paul Bloore founded Idée Inc. in 1999, and TinEye launched on May 6, 2008.
TinEye bundles several image search products into one platform. The web search finds matching and altered copies of an uploaded image. MatchEngine compares images against a private collection. MulticolorEngine searches images by color. The TinEye API extends image tracking to developers and enterprise teams.
TinEye indexes over 77.6 billion images as of late 2025. The website search runs free with no account required. The TinEye API starts at $200 per month for 5,000 searches.
TinEye is safe and legitimate, and the platform does not save the images submitted through its browser extension. TinEye operates under a documented privacy policy from Idée Inc. and runs over HTTPS for image uploads and result delivery.
TinEye runs as a product of Idée Inc., a private company based in Toronto, Canada, that launched TinEye in 2008 and has operated it since. TinEye publishes its terms of service and API usage rules, and serves commercial clients through paid API and MatchEngine agreements.
Visit tineye.com and open the reverse image search box.
Upload an image file or paste an image URL.
Run the search to query the TinEye index.
Sort the results by best match, size, change, or date.
Click a result to open the host page and the source image.
Install the TinEye browser extension for right-click image search.
Sign up for an API key to automate high-volume searches.
Finds exact and modified copies of an uploaded image.
Matches images against a private image collection.
Searches images by dominant color or hex value.
Right-click image search in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
Searches by pasting an image web address.
Detects cropped, resized, and recolored versions.
Automates high-volume image search for developers.
Orders results by match, size, change, and date.
Upload a photo to find every page hosting a copy; modified-image tracking flags cropped and recolored versions with source links.
Verify the original source of an image, detect fake profiles and stock images, and find the oldest indexed copy.
Run high-volume searches via the API and match uploads against a private collection of up to 500 million images with MatchEngine.
| Tool | Best for | Price | Notes | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Lens | Object and text recognition | Free | Free tier available | vs → |
| Yandex Image Search | Broad web and face matching | Free | Free tier available | vs → |
| Bing Visual Search | Shopping and visual lookup | Free | Free tier available | vs → |
| Pixsy | Copyright monitoring for photographers | from $0/mo | Free tier available | vs → |
| PimEyes | Face search across the web | from $29.99/mo | Limited free tier | vs → |
| TinEye — this review | Exact and modified copy tracking | API from $200/mo | Free tier available |
Google Lens identifies objects, text, and products inside a photo, while TinEye tracks exact image copies. Yandex Image Search matches faces and broad visual content across the web, and Bing Visual Search focuses on shopping and product lookups. TinEye targets copyright tracking and source verification rather than general recognition. Google Lens, Yandex, and Bing run free, while the TinEye API starts at $200 per month.
TinEye offers a free reverse image search on its website with no account required. The free search finds exact and modified copies of an uploaded image or image URL. MatchEngine, MulticolorEngine, and the TinEye API require a paid plan.
TinEye web search costs $0, and the TinEye API starts at $200 per month for 5,000 searches. API bundles scale to $10,000 per year for 1,000,000 searches. MatchEngine Starter costs $200 per month for up to 5,000 private images.
Idée Inc., a private company based in Toronto, Canada, owns and operates TinEye. Leila Boujnane and Paul Bloore founded Idée Inc. in 1999. TinEye launched in 2008.
TinEye is safe to use, and the browser extension does not save the searched image. TinEye runs over HTTPS and operates under a documented privacy policy. TinEye stores search history only for registered accounts.
TinEye builds a pixel-level digital signature of an uploaded image. TinEye compares that signature against an index of over 77.6 billion images. TinEye returns every matching page, including cropped and color-altered copies.
TinEye is worth it for photographers, fact-checkers, and developers who track image copies. The free web search covers casual lookups, and the API serves automated work. Users who need object or product recognition find Google Lens a better fit.
Start free, or take the trial to explore premium features across all your devices.
Visit TinEye →
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