Entrupy is the default pick for resellers who check items every week, while LegitGrails is the default pick for a single handbag check at $15 for a 12-hour result. A photo check can cost $10 to $15 per item, while a reseller subscription starts at $139 per month, so the right choice depends on how many items you check each month. eBay Authenticity Guarantee costs $0 for eligible handbags and accessories at $500 and above, and $40 as an add-on for select items from $200 to $499.99.
Photo checks suit a single purchase, device checks suit a shop that handles volume, and marketplace checks suit a purchase that already runs through that marketplace. Prices were checked on 2026-11-12.
On this page
Best luxury authentication service: comparison table
Swipe the table sideways on a phone to see every column.
| # | Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan / trial | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Entrupy | Resellers checking many items | $139 per month | No | Visit |
| 2 | LegitGrails | One handbag photo check | $15 per item | Not applicable | Visit |
| 3 | Real Authentication | Multi-brand photo review | quote only | Not applicable | Visit |
| 4 | Authenticate First | Handbag certificates and cards | quote only | Not applicable | Visit |
| 5 | LegitApp | Low cost luxury photo check | $10 per item | Not applicable | Visit |
| 6 | CheckCheck | Fast app based luxury check | $6 per item | Not applicable | Visit |
| 7 | eBay Authenticity Guarantee | Buying a luxury bag on eBay | $0 for eligible handbags $500 and above | Yes | Visit |
| 8 | The RealReal | Buying authenticated consignment | quote only | Not applicable | Visit |
The 8 best best luxury authentication services, in detail
Entrupy
Best for: Resellers checking many items
Entrupy is a device based service for shops and resellers. You capture detailed images with the Entrupy device and app, and the system compares them with a database of authentic and counterfeit items. The Petit plan costs $139 per month or $1,499 per year, and it includes 25 authentication tokens per month.
- One token costs $5.60 on the monthly Petit plan and $5.04 on the yearly Petit plan.
- The Moyen plan costs $599 per month for 125 tokens per month, while the Grand plan costs $1,049 per month for 250 tokens per month.
- The token model matters because different items use different numbers of tokens, and premium items are billed at a higher token rate.
- Entrupy also notes a $299 one-time setup fee per device.
Pros
- Device and AI check with a financial guarantee
- covers bags, footwear, eyewear, jewelry and apparel
Cons
- Petit plan needs a $299 one-time setup fee per device
- Petit includes only 25 tokens per month
LegitGrails
Best for: One handbag photo check
LegitGrails is a photo based service that has authenticated items since 2019 across more than 600 brands. You upload photos of the bag, and independent authenticators check stitching, hardware, stamps, codes, materials and the interior. For most bag brands, a 12-hour result costs $15, a 6-hour result costs $20, a 2-hour result costs $25, and a 30-minute result costs $35.
- Hermès and Chanel cost $25 to $55 across the same tiers.
- The price is set by speed, not by a different level of checking, and every option gets the same checks.
- Authentic and counterfeit results include a digital certificate that you can share with a buyer, a seller or a marketplace.
- Choose LegitGrails for a single handbag purchase where you need a written result and a certificate.
Pros
- Clear turnaround tiers from 30 minutes to 12 hours
- digital certificate included with authentic and counterfeit results
Cons
- Hermès and Chanel cost $25 to $55, above the $15 to $35 range for most brands
- account credits are needed for the lowest bulk price
Real Authentication
Best for: Multi-brand photo review
Real Authentication was founded in 2016 and covers handbags, watches, streetwear, eyewear, clothing, jewelry, shoes, scarves, hats and home goods from more than 170 brands. You submit photos through guided prompts, and the team gives an initial determination within 24 hours once sufficient images have been received. A 12-hour service costs an additional $20, a 1-hour service costs an additional $30 per item when the team is live from 10 AM to 8 PM PST, and an instant service may cost an additional $50 during special events.
- The base price is not published on the official FAQ page, so the starting price here is quote only.
- Add-on prices are published: official documentation costs $10, a fair market valuation costs $20, identification costs $20, age costs $10, a Hermès se
- Real Authentication also states that it does not offer a financial guarantee for the value of an item.
- Choose this service for a wide range of brands and categories in one place.
Pros
- Covers more than 170 brands
- two or more expert authenticators review each product
Cons
- No published base price on the official FAQ page
- no financial guarantee for the value of the item
Authenticate First
Best for: Handbag certificates and cards
Authenticate First has been in business since 2013 and focuses on luxury and handbag authentication. You create an account, start a new order, upload photos and select optional certificates and cards. The service offers pro online authentication, mail-in authentication and in-person authentication, plus an emailed certificate of authenticity in PDF format, printed and signed certificates sent by mail, an email opinion, written statements for buyers and sellers, a notary service, a valuation appraisal and item identification.
- The homepage does not publish a per-item price, so the starting price here is quote only.
- That makes Authenticate First harder to compare on cost than LegitGrails or LegitApp, where the first price is printed on the service page.
- Choose Authenticate First if you want a printed certificate or a written statement for a sale or a dispute.
- Do not choose it if you want to see the full cost before you register and build an order.
Pros
- Online, mail-in and in-person authentication
- emailed and printed certificates, cards and written statements
Cons
- No published per-item price on the homepage
- no detailed reasoning is disclosed when an item is judged counterfeit
LegitApp
Best for: Low cost luxury photo check
LegitApp is an app based authentication service for luxury handbags, sneakers, designer goods and more. The app listing states that luxury items start at $10, Hermès starts at $20, watches start at $15, sneakers start at $3, streetwear starts at $4 and cosmetics start at $4. The service supports more than 300 brands, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, Dior, Prada, Celine, Fendi, Balenciaga, Burberry, Goyard and Saint Laurent.
- The $10 starting price makes LegitApp the lowest cost luxury photo check in this list, $5 below LegitGrails at $15 for most bag brands.
- The trade-off is that full pricing, turnaround options and token plans are shown only in the app.
- Choose LegitApp for a low cost check on a Louis Vuitton bag or another standard luxury brand.
- Do not choose it for Hermès without checking the higher $20 starting price first.
Pros
- Luxury items start at $10
- covers more than 300 brands across handbags, clothing, shoes and accessories
Cons
- Full pricing, turnaround options and token plans are shown only in the app
- Hermès starts at $20, double the luxury starting price
CheckCheck
Best for: Fast app based luxury check
CheckCheck is an app for authenticating sneakers, handbags, luxury watches, jewelry, apparel and accessories. You submit photos in the app, an AI pre-screen runs first, and two human authenticators then review the item. Every completed check comes with a certificate of authenticity in your name.
- Results can arrive in as little as 15 minutes, with a 15 to 30 minute range cited for most checks, depending on load.
- Pricing starts at $6 per item, but credit bundle prices vary, so confirm the actual charge at checkout.
- The app also lists monthly premium plans at $29.99 and weekly premium plans at $8.99, which adds a subscription cost on top of per-item checks.
- Choose CheckCheck for a fast, low cost check before you commit to a purchase.
Pros
- AI pre-screen plus two human authenticators
- certificate of authenticity with every completed check
Cons
- Credit bundle prices vary, so confirm the charge at checkout
- monthly premium plans cost $29.99
eBay Authenticity Guarantee
Best for: Buying a luxury bag on eBay
eBay Authenticity Guarantee is a marketplace check, not a standalone photo service. When you buy an eligible item, the seller ships it to an authentication center, where category experts perform a multi-point inspection to verify authenticity and check that the condition matches the listing. If the item passes, it is packaged and delivered with expedited shipping, and a signature is required for items over $1,500.
- If the item does not pass, you receive a full refund.
- The service is free for eligible handbags and accessories priced $500 and above.
- For select handbags and accessories priced from $200 to $499.99, it is available as an add-on service for $40 at checkout.
- The inspection is completed within two business days of receipt at the facility.
Pros
- Free for eligible handbags at $500 and above
- physical inspection by category experts before delivery to the buyer
Cons
- Only select brands and categories are eligible
- items from $200 to $499.99 cost $40 as an add-on
The RealReal
Best for: Buying authenticated consignment
The RealReal is a luxury consignment marketplace, and authentication is part of selling and buying there rather than a standalone service you can order for one item. The company states that every item passes through a rigorous authentication process overseen by a team of more than 100 experts, including luxury brand authenticators, gemologists and horologists. Each specialist has hundreds of hours of training in specific brands and categories, and the team physically examines every item before it is listed.
- The RealReal also uses TRR Shield, which flags brands and styles most likely to be counterfeit, TRR Vision, which takes microscopic pictures for compa
- No separate per-item authentication fee is published, so the starting price here is quote only, and the cost is covered by the consignment model.
- Choose The RealReal when you want to buy a consigned item that has already been checked in person.
- Do not choose it if you need a check for an item you already own and plan to keep.
Pros
- Every item is physically examined before listing
- team of more than 100 in-house experts, including gemologists and horologists
Cons
- No separate per-item authentication fee is published
- authentication is tied to consignment, not sold as a standalone check
How we chose
We included only services with a live official page and a clear authentication method for luxury goods, either photo review, device review, physical inspection or marketplace inspection. Prices and plan limits come from official vendor pricing pages and docs opened on 2026-11-12. We did not test any tool hands-on. Where the official page did not publish a base price, we wrote quote only instead of using a third-party estimate. The unique fact that changes the choice is the Entrupy token model: one token costs $5.60 on the Petit monthly plan, and premium items use more tokens, so the monthly fee does not buy a fixed number of checks.
Pick by budget and speed
| Situation | Pick | Cost to expect |
|---|---|---|
| One standard handbag, 12-hour result | LegitGrails | $15 per item |
| One standard luxury item, lowest cost | LegitApp | $10 per item |
| One fast app check | CheckCheck | $6 per item |
| One bag bought on eBay at $500 or more | eBay Authenticity Guarantee | $0 |
| One bag bought on eBay from $200 to $499.99 | eBay Authenticity Guarantee | $40 add-on |
| Shop checking 25 items a month | Entrupy Petit | $139 per month, 25 tokens |
| Shop checking 125 items a month | Entrupy Moyen | $599 per month, 125 tokens |
| Item already owned, need a certificate | Authenticate First or Real Authentication | quote only, plus $10 for Real Authentication documentation |
Frequently asked questions
How much does luxury authentication cost?
A single photo check costs $6 to $15 for most items in this list, with LegitApp at $10 per luxury item and LegitGrails at $15 for a 12-hour handbag result. Hermès and Chanel cost more, at $20 on LegitApp and $25 to $55 on LegitGrails. A reseller subscription starts at $139 per month on Entrupy Petit, and eBay Authenticity Guarantee costs $0 for eligible handbags at $500 and above.
Which is best for a single handbag purchase?
LegitGrails is the best pick for a single handbag purchase when you want a clear price and a certificate, at $15 for 12 hours or $35 for 30 minutes for most brands. LegitApp is the best pick when cost matters most, at $10 per luxury item. If the bag is bought on eBay at $500 or more, eBay Authenticity Guarantee is the best pick, because the physical check is free and built into the purchase.
Can a bag be authenticated from photos alone?
Yes, for many brands. LegitGrails, Real Authentication, Authenticate First, LegitApp and CheckCheck all work from photos, and they check stitching, hardware, stamps, codes, materials and the interior. If a photo is unclear, the service asks for another one. When photos cannot settle the question, LegitGrails gives an Unable to verify result rather than a guess.
How fast is luxury authentication?
Speed depends on the tier you buy. LegitGrails offers 12 hours, 6 hours, 2 hours and 30 minutes. Real Authentication gives an initial determination in 24 hours, with 12-hour service for an additional $20 and 1-hour service for an additional $30. CheckCheck aims for 15 to 30 minutes, and eBay inspects within two business days of receipt.
Is eBay Authenticity Guarantee really free?
Yes, for eligible handbags and accessories priced $500 and above, eBay covers the cost for the buyer and the seller. For select items priced from $200 to $499.99, the buyer can add the service for $40 at checkout. Only select brands and categories are eligible, and items shipping outside the United States are not eligible at this time.
What should I do if the result says fake?
Contact the seller or the platform straight away and ask to return the item. If the seller refuses, open a dispute with the marketplace or your payment provider, and use the certificate or written statement as support. Real Authentication sells a written statement that can be used to regain funds from eBay, PayPal and credit card companies, and eBay gives a full refund when an item does not pass its own inspection.
Sources
- https://www.entrupy.com/
- https://www.entrupy.com/pricing/
- https://legitgrails.com/
- https://legitgrails.com/products/luxury-bag-authentication
- https://realauthentication.com/
- https://realauthentication.com/faqs/
- https://authenticatefirst.com/
- https://www.legitapp.com/
- https://www.getcheckcheck.com/
- https://www.ebay.com/
- https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-guarantee-handbags
- https://www.therealreal.com/
- https://www.therealreal.com/authenticity
Prices and features were read on each company’s own website in November 2026. They change often, so confirm the current offer on the official site before you sign up or buy.