5 Best Social Catfish Alternatives for Phone Number Lookup

Social Catfish has been a reliable and very informative tool for quite a while. Lately, though, number searches keep delivering outdated information, extra hidden fees, and, well…obviously inaccurate information.

There’s got to be something you can do to get better results, and right now, the best option is to look for alternatives. Let me present the best number search engines in the market that deliver what Social Catfish isn’t:

1. CatfishNumr – The Most Efficient Engine

Let’s go through each of Social Catfish’s struggles and see what CatfishNumr offers instead: 

Fees: There are two packages you can choose from…

• $6 for 2 in-depth searches
• $10 for 5 in-depth searches

No taxes, no extra fees, and it doesn’t auto-renew. Pick your plan, use your searches, and continue without worrying if you’ll be charged next month.

Inaccurate/outdated Info: CatfishNumr updates its database frequently to minimize mistakes. Multiple sources are searched to provide diverse and reliable data.

A simple search can spot:

1. A scam caller
2. VoIP/ burner phone numbers
3. Social media profiles: LinkedIn, Quora Telegram, X
4. Chatting apps: Signal, Telegram
5. Even networking socials like LinkedIn 
6. And many other platforms linked to the phone number

A solid alternative for reliable and up-to-date phone number searches, perfect for short-term usage.

2. ClarityCheck – The Tool With The Cheapest Trial

ClarityCheck is the place where you’ll find your answers, though it might cost more than you thought.

Here’s what ClarityCheck offers:

1. Speedy, right-to-the-point answers
2. Affordable one-time offers
3. Searches for sex offenders, criminals
4. Data leak reports
5. Global phone number searches

Note: Not all features come in one subscription; each plan offers different services. Check out ClarityCheck pricing:

• 1-week trial for just $1 
• $14.99 for 2 weeks, 8 searches
• $29.99 for 1 month, 20 searches

+Add-ons plans.

All plans are renewable, so read them carefully before purchasing. If you get charged for credits you haven’t used, request a refund. 

3. TrueCaller – Provides great results, even for free

The only thing keeping TrueCaller in third place is the lack of privacy. When using it, you play Russian roulette with your info. So, is risking your info for getting someone else’s worth it? You choose.

Let’s close an eye (or two) for that matter, and judge TrueCaller’s features for ourselves:

1. Free phone number scanning
2. VoIP & scam detection
3. Works in real-time if you download it
4. Detects AI 
5. Delivers results for calls & messages

Impressive right? Especially the free scans part. But let’s make something clear: they’re limited in number and in features. To get the most out of the engine, you’ll have to go premium.

In-App Pricing:

• 1 month for $9.99
• 1 year for $74.99
• AI assistant that answers unknown calls – $9.99
• Additional features of the premium plan for a month – $9.99
• AI-voice recognition for $9.99
• No ads for 1 month – $0.99

TrueCaller’s Privacy Policy & Terms state that TrueCaller doesn’t sell data, but there’s no mention that TrueCaller doesn’t store your data. If you forget about that part, there’s no doubt: TrueCaller is very unique and innovative. 

4. NumLookup – Great For Basic Searches

The best thing about the NumLookup tool is that it’s free, or at least it tries to be. Still, it only works for some countries, and it provides great casual results.

Where NumLookup tends to shine:

1. The free version doesn’t require an account
2. Works well for landlines or older cell numbers 
3. Simple, user-friendly interface 
4. It mostly delivers results on the history of a number, past addresses, or associated names.

If you’re a company or you simply want more details, NumLookup offers paid subscriptions as well, with these features in mind: 

1. Owner’s addresses 
2. Social media links
3. Family members and age. 

Pricing: 

• $10 for 1 Month, 40 scans, no ads 
• $20 for 1 Month, 80 scans 
• $50 for 1 Month, 200 scans, premium support

Within these plans, you get access to name lookup, reverse image search, and plagiarism detection tools in each subscription. Also, you have to sign up for paid plans to work.

Be aware: The site’s results are limited with the free plan & all subscriptions auto-renew, so make sure you cancel them beforehand.

So, if you only need a quick name for a phone number, NumLookup is still worth trying, since it’s fast and usually free. However, don’t rely on it for VoIP lines or detailed background information. 

5. Instant Checkmate – Best For Spotting Criminals

If they have a criminal past or anything to do with court files, Instant Checkmate will deliver results if the number’s from the U.S.

Why is Instant Checkmate a good option?

1. It monitors and alerts you about new insights
2. Provides personal information, 
3. Social media & online activity
4. Finds photos (and more) connected to the phone number

And just like that, you can confirm people’s identity, check what they’re up to, and come to a conclusion whether they’re worth contacting or not.

• 5-Day trial = $1 fee for unlimited reports
• $5.99 for 1 month with unlimited reports
• Dark web monitoring: $1.99 per month.

A heads up: results and the process of removing your data take time, so do it before you run out of searches.

Tips When Using Phone Number Lookup Tools

Since most tools require payment, each search is valuable. Here’s what you can do to get the best out of your searches:

Read carefully before subscribing. Most plans get renewed, so you might get billed monthly without even knowing. 

Take advantage of trials. Run every search you think you’ll ever need, screenshot results, and cancel the next day.

Screenshot everything. Keep emails, receipts, and chat logs. If billing goes sideways, they speed up refunds.

Don’t immediately jump to conclusions. People have the same name, last name, or even face, and tools make mistakes. 

Find a safe engine. Not every tool is worth it; some steal your info and contacts. That’s a line that shouldn’t be crossed

Opt-out. If you value your privacy, remove your data ASAP. The process can take weeks, so start it before your data spreads to partner sites or your trial runs out.