Sherlock Alternatives: Username Search With No Install

Sherlock is the username tool most people hear about first. It is free, open source and good at what it does. It is also a command-line program. You need Python or Docker, a terminal and a bit of patience before you see a single result.

Plenty of people just want to type a handle and see where it is used. This post compares Sherlock with three other options and with our own tool, WhatsMyName Apps. We make one of the tools on this list, so we stick to facts you can check yourself.

The short answer

If you want to search a username without installing anything, WhatsMyName Apps is the best pick for most people. It is free, needs no sign-up, checks 3,450+ sites on our own FreeUsername engine, and runs in any browser, including on your phone. If you write scripts or need a proxy, Sherlock or Maigret is still the better tool.

Comparison table

	WhatsMyName Apps	Sherlock	Maigret	Blackbird	UserSearch
How you run it	Browser or Android app	Command line (Python or Docker)	Command line (pip or Docker)	Command line (Python)	Browser
Sites	3,450+	400+ per its README	About 5,900 (top 500 by default)	600+ per its README	About 10 to 315+ per free search
Sign-up	None	None	None	None	None for username search
Live results	Yes, streamed as each site answers	In the terminal	In the terminal	In the terminal	Hits listed live
Export	JSON, CSV	Text, CSV, XLSX	Report files	PDF, CSV	Not confirmed
Domain check	Yes	No	No	No	No
Scripting and proxies	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Price	Free	Free, open source	Free, open source	Free, open source	Free search, paid extras

Sherlock

Sherlock is a Python tool under the MIT license. Its README says it checks 400+ social networks. You install it with pipx or Docker, then run it with one or more usernames. It can save results to CSV or Excel and route traffic through a proxy. It reports found or not found, and it shows profile URLs only. Read more on our Sherlock page.

Maigret

Maigret began as a Sherlock fork. It checks about 5,900 sites, though only the top 500 by default. It can pull details from the profiles it finds and follow new usernames. That depth is great for research. It still needs pip or Docker and a terminal. See our Maigret page.

Blackbird

Blackbird is another Python tool. Its README says it covers 600+ platforms and can export PDF and CSV reports. You clone the repository, install the requirements and run it from the command line. There is no hosted version. More on our Blackbird page.

UserSearch

UserSearch.org is a web tool, so there is nothing to install. Free username searches need no sign-up. Each search checks between about 10 and 315+ sites, depending on the depth you choose. Email, phone and image lookups are paid. Details on our UserSearch page.

Why WhatsMyName Apps is the easiest pick

• Nothing to install. Open the page, type a handle, press search. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebooks and phones.
• 3,450+ sites. Every check runs on our own independent FreeUsername engine, with rules we write and test.
• Quick or Full search. Quick search covers about 1,060 popular sites in roughly 30 seconds. Full search checks the whole list.
• Live results. Hits appear as each site answers, so you can start reading straight away.
• Private by design. Searched usernames are never stored.
• Export and extras. Save results as JSON or CSV, check domain availability on the name checker, or use a single-site tool from the platform checkers.
• 10 languages, and a free Android app.

Want to see who uses a handle, not whether it is free? Try the reverse username lookup.

Where we fall short

We are a web tool, so you can't script us. There is no API, no CLI and no proxy option. We also don't keep an account history of past searches. If you need to run hundreds of names in a batch job, or chain results into other tools, Sherlock or Maigret will serve you better.

On your phone

The command-line tools are awkward on a phone. Our site works in any mobile browser, and our Android app, FreeUsername: Username Checker, does the same job in an app. Get it on Google Play. An iPhone version is coming soon. You can also read about the engine at FreeUsername.com.

FAQ

Is there an official Sherlock website?

No. Sherlock ships as a command-line tool. Any browser tool, ours included, is a separate project.

Do these tools find the same accounts?

Partly. Each one keeps its own site list and rules, so results overlap a lot on big sites and differ on smaller ones.

Is a match proof that one person owns the account?

No. A match means a profile exists at that name. Open it and check photos, links and dates before you draw any conclusion.

Is WhatsMyName Apps free?

Yes. Searches are free and need no sign-up.

Responsible use

Search your own handles, your brand, or research you are allowed to do. Treat every result as a lead to verify. Ready to try it? Run a free username search.

WhatsMyName Apps is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by WhatsMyName, Sherlock, Maigret, Blackbird, UserSearch or the other tools named here.