ProfileTrace vs Sherlock: Which username search should I use?
Use Sherlock if you want free, open-source username searches you can run from a terminal and export to files. Use ProfileTrace if you prefer searching in a browser, opening public-profile results and following evidence or account-help guidance without installing a tool. ProfileTrace’s first standard search is free; further standard searches use prepaid credits. The choice is mainly about setup and how you want to work with the results.
Published by ProfileTrace. We checked the projects’ public documentation and our pricing on November 4, 2026. This is a comparison of documented workflows, not a speed or accuracy benchmark.
What does getting started involve?
Sherlock runs on your computer. Its installation guide documents several routes; the supported Python-package route recommends pipx. Once you have pipx installed, the basic sequence is:
pipx install sherlock-project
sherlock --version
sherlock --csv your_username
Replace your_username with the handle you want to check. The version command shows the installed version; the final command requests a CSV export. You can also pass several usernames in one command. Sherlock’s current project README lists the available options, including XLSX export and limiting a search to selected sites.
That suits someone already comfortable with a terminal. You keep the installation current and decide where to save and process its output. You don’t need a Sherlock service account to run the open-source tool.
ProfileTrace’s public username search starts in a browser. Enter a handle, then follow the prompts to open your results with a confirmed account. Use Google or an emailed link to open your results. No card is required. You can check the supported-site directory before starting.
What will I do with the results?
Sherlock presents candidate profile links in the terminal and supports file exports. If you’re checking several of your old handles, a spreadsheet gives you a place to mark which accounts you recognize and which need another look. You can keep those notes in your own workflow rather than buying a hosted service.
ProfileTrace puts public-profile results in a browser view, with guidance on saving evidence and official reporting or account-help links where a relevant guide is available. You still open the profiles, review what they say and complete any report or recovery request yourself. It isn’t an analyst review or an automatic impersonator verdict.
For either tool, check the sites that matter to your task. A longer supported-site list doesn’t tell you how many checks will succeed today, and a failed automated check doesn’t establish that an account is absent. Neither option unlocks private content or messages.
What does another search cost?
Sherlock is released under the MIT license. The project doesn’t charge a per-search fee. You supply the computer, internet connection and time to install, update and review the output.
ProfileTrace’s credit packs currently cost:
| Pack price | Credits |
|---|---|
| $2 | 2 |
| $5 | 10 |
| $10 | 25 |
| $50 | 150 |
A standard search costs one credit, so ten additional standard searches fit the $5 pack. These are prepaid purchases, with no subscription or automatic renewal.
Results are leads, not proof of identity. ProfileTrace is not a background check and cannot be used for hiring, housing, credit or insurance decisions under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).