Witness vs TrueMedia
TrueMedia is built for a Georgetown University initiative offering a non-partisan, open source, public-interest platform to help the public assess whether online text, images, or audio are manipulated or false. Witness is built for quick, plain-language checks of images and video. Here is how they differ, using each vendor's own public pages.
Choose TrueMedia if your needs match what it says it is built for. Choose Witness if you want a quick check in the browser or by API with a heatmap and a plain-language explanation. Neither can prove an image is real or fake.
Witness and TrueMedia at a glance
| Witness | TrueMedia | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | People and teams who want a quick, plain-language check of whether an image or video is likely AI-generated or face-swapped, in the browser or by API | A Georgetown University initiative offering a non-partisan, open source, public-interest platform to help the public assess whether online text, images, or audio are manipulated or false. |
| Media covered | Image and video. Voice is an experimental beta | Image and audio (authenticity check) and text (veracity check) per FAQ; video listed as ETA January 2027; multimodal ETA Spring 2027. |
| Free option | Try a few scans with no account. A free account includes 20 image scans a month | Footer states 'Non-partisan, open source, free.' Platform access is via 'Request Beta Access' waitlist and Platform Login; no tier details stated on page. |
| Pricing | Free, Pro at $15 a month ($10 a month billed annually at $120), and custom Enterprise | Not listed for image detection on the pages we read. Check their site |
| API | Yes, see the API docs | Not stated on their page |
| Browser extension | Yes, Chrome extension | Not stated on their page |
| Provenance and explanation | Reads Content Credentials (C2PA) and checks for the SynthID watermark and metadata. Heatmap, per-frame video timeline and a plain-language explanation | See their site for current details |
TrueMedia details were read from the vendor's own pages on 2026-11-13. Check their site for current information.
Which one fits you
Pick TrueMedia if
- Your use matches: a Georgetown University initiative offering a non-partisan, open source, public-interest platform to help the public assess whether online text, images, or audio are manipulated or false
- You need what its own pricing page offers, such as the plans listed above
- You want to compare more than one detector before deciding
Pick Witness if
- You want a quick answer in the browser with a Chrome extension
- You want a heatmap and a plain-language explanation
- You want provenance and watermark checks in the same result
TrueMedia at a glance
Taken from TrueMedia's own pages on 2026-11-13. Check their site for current details.
Built for
A Georgetown University initiative offering a non-partisan, open source, public-interest platform to help the public assess whether online text, images, or audio are manipulated or false.
Pricing as listed
Not listed for image detection on the pages we read. Check their site
Free option
Footer states 'Non-partisan, open source, free.' Platform access is via 'Request Beta Access' waitlist and Platform Login; no tier details stated on page.
API and extension
API: Not stated on their page. Extension: Not stated on their page.
Read this before relying on any detector
- Witness reports a likelihood with a confidence score. It does not prove anything on its own.
- No detector catches every image. New generators can be missed until detection catches up, and heavy compression or screenshots can lower confidence.
- A real photo can be flagged and an AI image can pass. Treat a result as one input, alongside the source, context and other checks.
Frequently asked questions
Is TrueMedia free?
TrueMedia says: Footer states 'Non-partisan, open source, free.' Platform access is via 'Request Beta Access' waitlist and Platform Login; no tier details stated on page. Check their site for current terms. Witness lets you try a few scans with no account.
How much does TrueMedia cost?
As listed by the vendor on 2026-11-13: Not listed for image detection on the pages we read. Check their site. Confirm on their site.
Does TrueMedia have an API or browser extension?
API: Not stated on their page. Browser extension: Not stated on their page. Witness has a Chrome extension and an API.
What is the difference between Witness and TrueMedia?
TrueMedia describes itself as built for a Georgetown University initiative offering a non-partisan, open source, public-interest platform to help the public assess whether online text, images, or audio are manipulated or false. Witness is built for quick, plain-language checks of images and video in the browser or by API.
Is TrueMedia more accurate than Witness?
No independent, apples-to-apples comparison exists, and vendor-reported accuracy numbers use different test sets. Test both on your own images.
Is TrueMedia free?
TrueMedia says: Footer states 'Non-partisan, open source, free.' Platform access is via 'Request Beta Access' waitlist and Platform Login; no tier details stated on page. Check their site for current terms.
How much does Witness cost?
Witness has a free tier, Pro at $15 a month ($10 a month billed annually), and custom Enterprise plans. See the pricing page for current limits.
Sources
- truemedia.org read 2026-11-13
- truemedia.org/about/faq read 2026-11-13
- truemedia.org/tools read 2026-11-13
Competitor details come from each vendor's own public pages on the dates shown. Products change, so check the vendor's site before you decide.
More on TrueMedia
Don't guess. Witness it.
Free to try. No account needed for your first scans. Witness gives a likelihood with a confidence percentage, not a certainty.