TinEye Review
A reverse image search engine that finds where an image appears online and tracks modified copies of it.
Is TinEye Worth 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.
About TinEye
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.
Is TinEye safe, private, and secure?
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.
Company background and terms of service
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.
✅ Worth it if you
- Track exact and modified copies of a specific image
- Verify where a photo originally came from
- Monitor unauthorized use as a photographer or brand
- Automate high-volume image tracking via the API
🤔 Look elsewhere if you
- Need general object or product recognition
- Search for a person by face
- Want only casual lookups (free tools may be enough)
Our Verdict
Pros
- Pixel-level exact-match accuracy
- Finds cropped and modified copies
- Free web reverse image search
- Browser extensions for right-click search
- Index of over 77.6 billion images
Cons
- Weak at general object recognition
- API starts at $200 per month
- No free daily cap published
- No facial recognition feature
- High-volume API calls cost more
How It Works
Open search
Visit tineye.com and open the reverse image search box.
Provide image
Upload an image file or paste an image URL.
Run search
Run the search to query the TinEye index.
Sort results
Sort the results by best match, size, change, or date.
Open source
Click a result to open the host page and the source image.
Add extension
Install the TinEye browser extension for right-click image search.
Get API key
Sign up for an API key to automate high-volume searches.
TinEye Features
Reverse Image Search
Finds exact and modified copies of an uploaded image.
MatchEngine
Matches images against a private image collection.
MulticolorEngine
Searches images by dominant color or hex value.
Browser Extensions
Right-click image search in Chrome, Firefox, and Opera.
Image URL Lookup
Searches by pasting an image web address.
Modified-Image Tracking
Detects cropped, resized, and recolored versions.
TinEye API
Automates high-volume image search for developers.
Result Sorting
Orders results by match, size, change, and date.
TinEye Pricing
- 5,000 developer searches
- $300/yr for 10,000 searches
- $1,000/yr for 50,000 searches
- $10,000/yr for 1,000,000 searches
- Up to 5,000 private images
- 1,000 monthly searches
- Cropped, resized & recolored matching
- Up to 500 million images
- Basic, Corporate & Enterprise tiers
- Custom pricing
Who Is TinEye Best For?
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.
TinEye Alternatives
| 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 vs Yandex vs TinEye
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 FAQ
Is TinEye free?
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.
How much does TinEye cost?
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.
Who owns TinEye?
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.
Is TinEye safe?
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.
How does TinEye work?
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.
Is TinEye worth it?
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.
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