Alternatives
The honest reads.
If you arrived here looking for a replacement for GummySearch, Exploding Topics, Reddily, or ChatGPT Plus: we will tell you when The Detective fits the job you were doing with them, and when it does not. No piss-on-grave for tools that died, no strawmen for tools that work.
vs. GummySearch
Shut down 2025-11-30GummySearch was a Reddit audience-research tool. The Detective is a profile-fit research engine that grounds every claim in primary sources. Different shape — useful for a different decision.
vs. Exploding Topics
Exploding Topics shows you what is growing. The Detective tells you whether a growing trend fits the founder you actually are.
vs. Reddily
Reddily is a Reddit-native research tool. The Detective is a multi-source founder-fit research engine. Different surface, different decision.
vs. ChatGPT Plus
ChatGPT Plus has breadth and confidence. The Detective has a structured pipeline, verifiable sources, and a verdict you can defend.