Best Sherlock: AI Face Search Alternative in 2026
Looking for a better alternative to Sherlock? Sherly offers privacy-first face search with on-device processing, no account required, and affordable pricing.
Sherly vs Sherlock at a Glance
| Feature | Sherly | Sherlock |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free searches included, affordable credit packs & Pro subscription | $4.99/search, $3.99–$8.99/week, or $9.99–$19.99/month |
| Platforms | iOS & Android | iOS, Android |
| Accuracy | High — powered by advanced AI facial recognition | Mixed — users report frequent search failures |
| Account Required | No — fully anonymous | Varies |
| On-Device Processing | Yes — Apple Vision | No |
| Data Retention | Photos not stored on server | Varies by provider |
Why People Switch from Sherlock to Sherly
Sherlock: AI Face Search is a mobile face search app available on iOS and Android. It charges credits for searches via weekly ($3.99–$8.99/week) or monthly ($9.99–$19.99/month) subscriptions. Users report no free searches are available, and the app has received criticism for its aggressive paywall — even basic functionality requires payment. While Sherlock serves its purpose, many users have reported frustrations:
- No free searches at all — paywall from the start
- Expensive pricing: $4.99 per single search, $8.99/week, or $19.99/month
- App Store reviews report searches frequently fail with errors
- Multiple users call it a 'scam' in App Store reviews (3.5★ on Google Play)
- No way to test the app before paying — no free trial
- Confusing credit system with multiple subscription tiers
- Users report poor accuracy and irrelevant search results
- Must invite 3 friends just to get one free search
What Makes Sherly Different
Try Sherly Free Today
No account needed. Download and start searching in seconds.
Other Face Search Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Sherly offers similar face search capabilities with the added benefits of privacy-first on-device processing, no account requirement, and affordable pricing with free searches included.
Sherly uses advanced AI facial recognition powered by Apple's Vision framework for on-device face detection, combined with a powerful third-party search engine for web-wide face matching. Results are typically delivered in under 60 seconds.
Sherly includes free searches to get started. Additional searches are available through affordable credit packs or a Pro subscription — no cryptocurrency needed, no hidden fees.
No. Photos are processed on your device using Apple's Vision framework. The cropped face image is sent through our server to perform the search but is never stored. Your search history is kept only on your device.