Sightengine alternative: OpenModeration compared
The best Sightengine alternative depends on what you moderate: for images, video and identity checks, Sightengine is built for that; for comments on news sites, brand pages and public channels, OpenModeration is. OpenModeration hides clear violations, has our team handle doubtful cases and gives a written reason for every decision, with a Logora team that sets it up with you.
Who Sightengine is for
Sightengine is a Paris-based API, according to its website, for detecting unwanted content in images, video, live streams, text and audio, as well as AI-generated images, deepfakes and identity signals such as age estimation or face liveness. It targets developers at platforms that handle user uploads: marketplaces, dating apps, gaming, photo and creator networks. You integrate it in your own code and receive tags and scores per category.
Choose OpenModeration if…
- you moderate comments on a news site, brand pages or public channels, not image uploads;
- you want Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress connected without development;
- you want doubtful cases handled by people, a console where you see every decision and a written reason for every hidden comment;
- you need DSA building blocks and EU hosting;
- you want a team that adapts the moderation to your rules and use cases.
Sightengine may suit you better if…
- images, video and live streams are your main risk;
- you need AI-generated image, deepfake or age estimation checks;
- your developers want a raw API and will build the workflow and review tools themselves.
Sightengine and OpenModeration, side by side
Information about Sightengine taken from its website, sightengine.com, consulted on October 30, 2026. Prices excluding tax.
| Criterion | Sightengine | OpenModeration |
|---|---|---|
| Offering | Moderation and image analysis API: images, video, text, audio, AI-generated content detection, identity checks | AI comment moderation for news sites, brands and public bodies, set up with you by the Logora team |
| Content moderated | Images (150+ classes), video and live streams, text, audio. Text ML models in 7 languages (en, fr, it, pt, es, ru, tr), rule-based filter in 18 | Comments posted on your websites and social pages |
| Integrations | REST API; rules and workflows set in its dashboard. No social media or WordPress connector on the pages consulted | Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress natively; TikTok, X, LinkedIn and other networks added on request, quickly |
| AI models | Its own models: "state-of-the-art models and proprietary technology", custom models on Enterprise | Own moderation AI, cross-checked by other AI models; new models plugged in as they come out |
| Human review | Optional hybrid mode: thresholds send items to "your human moderation platform", reviewed by your own team | Clear violations hidden automatically, doubtful cases handled by our team; you see every decision in one console |
| Explanation of decisions | A tag describing the type of content found, with scores per category | A written reason for every decision and a full activity log |
| DSA | Not specified on its website | Notice and action, statement of reasons, human review of contested decisions, exportable figures |
| Hosting and data | Company in Paris; "datacenters in numerous countries"; regional endpoints not on Free, Starter or Pro | Hosted in the European Union, GDPR; on-premise deployment on request |
| Public pricing | Free (2,000 operations/month), Starter $29/month (10,000), Pro $99/month (40,000), Enterprise on request | Free up to 1,000 comments analysed/month, Pro €99/month for 10,000 comments, Enterprise on request |
| References | Client logos shown without names; partners include NVIDIA, PubNub, Tremau and Checkstep | L'Équipe, Challenges, Sud Ouest, actu.fr, Estadão, Südkurier, Egora |
An AI engine that follows the progress of AI models
Sightengine says it relies on "state-of-the-art models and proprietary technology", with custom models and classes on its Enterprise plan. Its machine learning text models cover 7 languages, according to its FAQ.
OpenModeration runs its own moderation AI, and on delicate cases its decisions are cross-checked by other AI models. The engine is model-agnostic: when a better or cheaper model comes out, our team plugs it in quickly, with nothing to change on your side. Your moderation keeps up with the AI market instead of staying frozen on one in-house algorithm.
Sightengine price vs OpenModeration price
Sightengine
- Free: 2,000 operations per month, max 500 per day
- Starter: $29 per month for 10,000 operations
- Pro: $99 per month for 40,000 operations
- Extra operations: $0.002 each
- Enterprise: custom
OpenModeration
- Free: up to 1,000 comments analysed per month
- Pro: €99 per month for 10,000 comments
- Enterprise: on request, for large volumes
- On-premise deployment: on request only
Sightengine counts operations, OpenModeration counts comments analysed; compare on your own volumes. A Sightengine plan covers images and video too, while OpenModeration pricing includes the review console, connectors and the support of the Logora team.
Switching from Sightengine in 3 steps
Run the sandbox next to Sightengine
Connect your site or social pages. OpenModeration analyses your real comments without hiding anything, while Sightengine keeps working.
Adapt the rules with our team
The Logora team adapts the moderation to your rules and use cases. You compare decisions, and their written reasons, comment by comment.
Switch on automatic actions
When the results suit you, clear violations are hidden automatically and doubtful cases are handled by our team. You see every decision in real time in the console and can step in.
We set it up and run it for you
Just connect your pages: our team sets up the moderation on your rules and use cases, then runs it day to day. Doubtful cases and reports are handled by us, and you can step in whenever you want.
We set up your rules for you
Our team starts from your existing rules, your use cases and your real comments, sets the moderation up, then fine-tunes it over the first weeks. No work on your side.
Our team handles the doubtful cases
Doubtful cases, user reports and contested decisions are handled by our team. The system learns from every decision and proposes adjustments to your rules, which you approve in one click.
A test without risk
In sandbox mode, OpenModeration analyses your real comments and shows what it would have decided, without hiding or deleting anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Sightengine?
For comment moderation on news sites, brand pages and public channels, OpenModeration is designed for that use: social and WordPress connectors, a review console, a written reason for every decision, DSA building blocks and EU hosting. For images, video, deepfakes or age checks, Sightengine remains a specialised option.
How much does Sightengine cost?
According to its pricing page: free up to 2,000 operations per month, Starter at $29 per month for 10,000 operations, Pro at $99 per month for 40,000, $0.002 per extra operation, Enterprise on request. OpenModeration is free up to 1,000 comments analysed per month, then €99 per month for 10,000 comments.
Sightengine vs OpenModeration: what is the difference?
Sightengine is a developer API, strongest on visual content, that returns tags and scores. OpenModeration is a comment moderation service: it connects to your site and social pages, acts on comments, has our team handle doubtful cases and explains each decision in writing.
Can I test OpenModeration without switching off Sightengine?
Yes. In sandbox mode, OpenModeration analyses your real comments without hiding anything. Sightengine keeps running, and you compare both sets of decisions on the same comments, each OpenModeration decision with its written reason.
Which AI does OpenModeration use?
OpenModeration runs its own moderation AI, and other AI models cross-check its decisions on delicate cases. When a better or cheaper model comes out, our team plugs it in, with nothing to change on your side, so you benefit from the progress of AI models.
Does Sightengine moderate German text with its machine learning models?
According to its FAQ, its ML text models cover English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and Turkish, and German is covered by its rule-based filter. Check with Sightengine for updates.
Sightengine is a trademark of its owner. Information about it comes from its website (consulted on October 30, 2026). Spotted a mistake? Write to us at contact@openmoderation.com.
Sources: sightengine.com/pricing · sightengine.com/about · sightengine.com/text-moderation-api · sightengine.com/faq/languages-for-text-moderation · sightengine.com/faq/automated-vs-hybrid-moderation
Moderate your comments, not just your images.
Book a call: we look at your rules and use cases, then run the sandbox on your real comments next to Sightengine.
No credit card required · DSA-compliant · GDPR-compliant
Questions? contact@openmoderation.com