The 4 types of tool for valuing an artwork online
1. Auction-results databases
Artprice, Artnet, Invaluable. You search an artist and read what their works have fetched at auction. Very rich, provided you know who the artist is. Access is mostly paid.
2. Image recognition
Google Lens, Magnus. A photo is used to find similar images, an artist or a title. A first identification lead, not a valuation.
3. Photo-based estimators (AI)
ArtValue. A photo returns an indicative value range backed by comparable sales. Fast and inexpensive, but indicative.
4. Expert or auctioneer
A professional who examines the object. The only type whose valuation carries professional responsibility (estate, insurance, sale).
Comparison table: what each tool does, who it is for, what it costs
| Tool | What it does | Best for | Price | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ArtValue | From one photo, returns an indicative value range with comparable sales and a PDF report. 7 languages. | Individuals, heirs and sellers who want a quick order of magnitude. | First estimate free (once only, no credit card), then €2.99; packs of €24.99 (10) and €39.99 (20), valid 1 year; Pro €19.99/month (15 estimates). | Indicative, not an appraisal. Does not replace an auctioneer. Gives no figure without a photo or a recognised artist and title. |
| Artprice | Auction-results database: search by artist, past and upcoming sales, market reports. | Collectors, professionals, investors. | Paid (annual or one-day access); prices not shown on the pages consulted, see their site. | You need to know who the artist is and read the results yourself. |
| Artnet (Price Database) | 18 million auction results since 1985, for pieces estimated at $500 and above. | Collectors, dealers, specialists. | Paid: one-day pass $32.50 (5 searches); Individual plan $42.50 / 30 days; Expert plan $450 / year. Excluding taxes, checked 9 Oct 2026. | Pieces estimated below $500 are not covered. Search is by artist, not by photo. |
| Magnus | Scanning app: "take a photo of an artwork and know the artist, title and price". Map of nearby galleries and museums. | Gallery and museum visitors, enthusiasts. | The app is presented as free; their site does not detail other plans. | Their site does not detail coverage or how the displayed price is produced. |
| Google Lens | Image search: similar images and web pages related to the photo. | Anyone, as a first identification lead. | No price stated on the Google help page consulted. | Returns web pages, not a value range: you have to find the price yourself. |
| Invaluable | Archive of auction sale prices, online auctions. | Buyers and sellers who already know the type of object. | Free account: 12 months of past prices; beyond that, a paid subscription (5 years, then 15+ years), see their site. | Free history limited to 12 months; keyword search. |
Information taken from each provider's official site on 9 October 2026. Prices change: check them before subscribing. None of these services took part in this page.
Which tool to choose for your situation
🏺 Inheritance or estate
To sort items and get an idea before calling anyone, a photo-based estimate such as ArtValue gives a first order of magnitude. For probate, an estate division or insurance, you need an auctioneer or a qualified appraiser.
🧺 A flea-market or attic find
Google Lens or Magnus can help identify the artist. If a name is legible, an auction database (Artnet, Artprice, Invaluable) shows the prices reached; otherwise ArtValue starts from the photo.
🛒 Buying an artwork
If the artist is listed, compare with auction results (Artprice, Artnet). For a first opinion on the photo of a listing, ArtValue is a fit. Before a major purchase, have the piece examined.
🛡️ Insurance
No online tool is enough: insurers usually ask for a valuation by a qualified appraiser or auctioneer. An online tool can help you prepare the file.
ArtValue in detail: what it does and what it does not
ArtValue (artvalue.art) is an online tool that values an artwork from a photo. It identifies the piece (technique, signature, condition), searches comparable sales published by auction houses and returns an indicative value range with a confidence level, in about a minute. It works in 7 languages. The market data it uses comes from public sales.
Its limits. The estimate is indicative: it is not an appraisal and does not replace an auctioneer. ArtValue refuses to give a figure when it has no photo and no recognised artist and title: no range is better than an invented one. Accuracy depends on photo quality and on how visible the artist is on the market.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| First estimate | Free, once only, no credit card |
| Single estimate | €2.99 |
| Pack of 10 estimates | €24.99 (valid 1 year) |
| Pack of 20 estimates | €39.99 (valid 1 year) |
| Pro plan | €19.99 / month, 15 estimates included |
Sources checked on 9 October 2026
Information about other services comes from their own pages. When a price was not published on the pages consulted, we give no figure.
- Artnet Price Database: coverage and prices
- Magnus: app presentation
- Google help: search with Google Lens
- Invaluable: Price Archive help
- Artprice: terms of sale (subscription types)
- ArtValue: pricing
FAQ
What is the best tool to value an artwork online?
It depends on what you know about the piece. With only a photo, a photo-based estimator such as ArtValue or an image-recognition tool (Google Lens, Magnus) is the starting point. If you know the artist, an auction-results database (Artprice, Artnet, Invaluable) shows the prices actually reached. For a value with legal weight, you need an appraiser or an auctioneer.
Is there a free tool to value artwork?
In part. Google Lens can be used without a subscription to find similar images, Magnus is presented as a free app, Invaluable gives a free account 12 months of past prices, and ArtValue offers the first estimate, once only and with no credit card. The most complete databases are paid.
Does an online valuation replace an appraisal?
No. An online tool gives an indication, not a guaranteed value. For an estate, insurance or a major sale, the opinion of a qualified appraiser or auctioneer is still needed.
How much does an ArtValue estimate cost?
The first estimate is free, once only, with no credit card. After that an estimate costs €2.99, or €2.50 and €2.00 inside the packs of 10 (€24.99) and 20 (€39.99), valid for 1 year. The Pro plan costs €19.99 per month and includes 15 estimates.
What does ArtValue do if it does not recognise the artwork?
It gives no figure. Without a photo and without a recognised artist and title, ArtValue declines to estimate rather than invent a range.