This story was created in paid partnership with Ascend Agency.
In any profession, having an internet presence is essential for doing business. Whether it's a bio on your company's About page, an online portfolio to share your best work or social media profiles, you need to display a professional photo of yourself front and center, and a quick selfie just won't cut it anymore.
You need a good headshot -- a clear, high-quality photo from the shoulders up, with decent lighting and a basic background. That sounds simple enough, but it's actually not easy to get right without the help of a professional photographer, and many of us don't have the means to hire one.
Thanks to new strides in AI technology, there's a fast, affordable alternative available to anyone with a computer and a bunch of selfies: AI headshot generators. If you don't know what these are and how they work, this article answers your questions and provides a detailed review of the 11 best headshot generators in 2024.
Using a number of selfies or other photos that you upload, an AI headshot generator can produce hundreds of images with your likeness with a variety of backgrounds and clothing options to choose from. The secret is in the generator's machine-learning AI model, which re-creates and enhances your features, facial expressions and personal style for the most professional, flattering headshots you can get without hiring a photographer yourself.
AI-generated headshots can look very realistic, but your final results may vary depending on the quality and variety of the photos you provide. If you don't follow the instructions, some of your photos could be rejected if they can't be used to train the AI. So you should use photos that clearly show your face with nothing obstructing it, and avoid using a "batch" of photos where you're wearing the same outfit or being shot from the same angle.
After your photos are accepted, the AI headshot generator gets to work, and you'll have anywhere from 40 to several hundred new headshots to choose from within a few hours. You can keep your favorites and delete the rest. Some AI headshot generators offer additional options for editing or customizing select photos to suit your needs.
Keep reading to learn about what the 11 best AI headshot generators have on offer for you!
Our top choice overall for getting affordable, high-quality headshots on a user-friendly platform is Portrait Pal. You'll receive professional photos that highlight your best features without the stiffness or distortions that are common with other, less advanced AI models.
The secret to Portrait Pal's consistency is in its cutting-edge machine learning technology, which is trained by your original photos to re-create your image in the most flattering light. Your photos are analyzed with a type of deep learning model called Stable Diffusion. The finished headshots are refined and fine-tuned within the algorithm, so they'll be ready to use as soon as you receive them, without any additional edits needed.
If you need your headshots fast, Portrait Pal can produce them for you within just 30 minutes with the Premium package. And if you're not completely satisfied with the results, they offer a seven-day money-back guarantee. While some AI headshot generators may have lower rates, we think the quality of the photos is reflected by the price.
Next on our list is the relative newcomer to the AI headshot-generator industry, PixelPose. Regardless of the service's age, it's hard to ignore the undeniable quality that this tool can provide thanks to the latest and greatest AI model that it uses to generate its portraits. As quickly as the technology is advancing, it's hugely beneficial to give the latest tools a shot.
With PixelPose, all it takes to get started is to upload your photos from a variety of sources, including Facebook and Instagram -- or you can just upload them directly from your device. From there, the AI model will re-create your likeness with amazing levels of accuracy and then place you in a variety of poses and styles before providing you with the high-resolution and high-quality headshots. Then, just select the best ones from the batch and archive the others.
PixelPose will also return the headshots to you nice and fast, compared to some other AI generators. Out of the three pricing tiers, the basic one, "Lite," will provide you with your headshots in about an hour. Choosing the "Pro" tier at $69 will provide you with more headshots, in more styles, and in only 30 minutes. Naturally, the middle tier, "Standard," will split the difference at 45 minutes.
For sharp professional headshots that you can use for your professional profiles and all social media platforms, Aragon.ai is known for its consistent yet versatile results. It uses a fast yet thorough AI model that produces creative, crisp images that capture your unique features and personality.
Its algorithm was built by top AI researchers who previously worked with Meta and Microsoft. Its cutting-edge machine learning technology can produce realistic, customized headshots that won't disappoint.
One unique feature you can find at Aragon.ai is the ability to input text prompts as well as photos to describe the specific background or outfit that you want in your headshots. It also offers additional editing tools that allow you to enhance or touch up specific photos one by one. The price points and packages are similar to those at Portrait Pal, ranging from $35 for the Starter package to $75 for Premium.
With the highest price point of all the AI headshot generators on this list, you should expect a lot from Dreamwave AI. And they do deliver on a promise to produce realistic, high-quality photos with a polished, professional look. The team of AI researchers and engineers have backgrounds at MIT, Google Brain and Meta AI, and you can see their expertise shine through with every batch of photos.
Dreamwave AI's packages include unlimited background and outfit options, so you can create a tailored look for each platform you display your headshots on, from a professional portfolio to a fun social media page. One thing that may deter some potential customers, however, is the lack of transparency during the purchase process. For some reason, it doesn't reveal its price list until after you upload your own photos. This can frustrate curious shoppers and possibly drive them away.
Yet, the quality of Dreamwave AI's headshots must be enough of a draw as reviews and praise from many satisfied clients are proudly displayed across its site. If you're looking for photos that don't embellish your natural look too much and could pass for the real thing, Dreamwave AI might be your best bet. While the price may seem steep, it does include access to an AI editor, which other brands may charge an extra fee for.
If you don't need a lot of extra features and you're looking for a traditional corporate look, HeadshotPro is a fantastic option. One of the first AI headshot generators on the market, it's reliable and consistent, producing clear, quality headshots for professional teams as well as individuals. For business owners or managers, the company offers a "team" package, which can help you quickly generate photos for each member of your staff with a cohesive unified look.
With every package, HeadshotPro includes a number of "edit credits," which allows you to go in and enhance or change details of your favorite photos. You can change the clothing, background, pose or color scheme, which gives you more artistic control over the final look for your headshots.
The corporate aesthetic is a common theme as many of the outfits and backgrounds are neutral and conservative. For this reason, HeadshotPro may not be the best choice to use for more creative professions or casual environments. But these photos are excellent for projecting a traditional professional image, so it's a safe choice for job seekers or entrepreneurs. If you're on the fence, the company offers a 14-day money-back guarantee, so there's almost no risk in trying it out.
Out of all the AI headshot generators on this list, BetterPic is the only one that offers 4K studio quality photos. It also offers plenty of background and style options -- more than 150 of each. With so many options, you can use these headshots anywhere, from social media to LinkedIn.
BetterPic's headshot packages have no hidden charges, and it offers special rates for groups or teams. Every plan also includes credits that you can use in the AI editing studio to customize individual photos. With these credits, you can swap out the backgrounds or outfits, change your hairstyle or airbrush some skin blemishes. You can even change the look of your whole batch of photos in one shot.
We love that BetterPic offers a full satisfaction guarantee. This means the company will do whatever it takes to ensure you're happy with your headshots, whether it's to redo them for you or edit them manually. If you're still not happy with the results, they offer a full refund within seven days as well.
While some others on the list lean toward the corporate aesthetic, Try it on AI is better suited to creatives and other people who want their photos to really stand out. Founded by professional photographers and designers, this headshot generator combines the practicality of an AI tool with a human flair for a unique set of photos you'll be proud to share.
Try it on AI's editing options give you flexibility when you have a specific idea in mind for how you want your headshots to look. If the concept of AI-generated photos is new to you, you can add manual editing to any of your headshots, which brings a human touch that you can't get from some of the competing headshot generators that use AI alone.
If you know you'll be creating new headshots or working on other similar projects consistently, you can sign up for Try it on AI's subscription service. This membership allows you to design your own custom portrait styles rather than relying on the options within the platform. You can incorporate your own branding or signature look, giving you a lot more versatility with how you use your headshots.
The base rate starts at $21 for hundreds of photos, and you can add professional, human editing on a specific photo for an additional $10 fee. The package also includes 50 editing credits that you can use to make your own adjustments with Try it on AI's editing tools.
One thing that separates The Multiverse AI from the other headshot generators on our list is its singular pricing option. There's only one package available for individuals and one for groups. This could be a nice feature for someone looking for a basic set of photos without any frills, but other people might prefer the option of adding more photos to the batch without placing a whole new order.
If you like having more control over the finished product, The Multiverse AI allows you to edit some of your favorite headshots to fit your needs. For no added charge, you can change out the clothing, background, or even your eye color. This level of customization ensures your photos are one-of-a-kind and embody the image you envision for yourself.
Another unique option The Multiverse AI offers is the ability to add text prompts for a portion of your headshots. You can specify the type of profession you're in, a particular outfit or a general theme you want to see in the photos. This feature gives you a lot of creative control and truly limitless options for your headshots.
Rather than offering hundreds of photos from which you can expect only a smattering of good ones, StudioShot focuses on the refining and editing process to produce a headshot you really love. By choosing to embrace quality over quantity and offering infinite touch-ups by human experts, StudioShot shows a high level of confidence and an appreciation for the craft.
If you're focused on how your face looks in your headshots, and maybe more than a bit obsessed with perfect lighting and realistic detailing, StudioShot is the best headshot generator for you. While it has only dozens, not hundreds, of styles and backgrounds to choose from, you'll have a dedicated team of professionals working to curate the perfect shots you've been looking for.
The turnaround time may seem a bit long compared to the other AI headshot generators on the list, but it makes sense when you understand that two days also includes manual touch-ups by human experts to get every detail right. While they don't offer refunds, their unlimited revision options ensure that they won't stop until you're completely satisfied with the results.
If you're looking for a quick, low-budget option and you don't want to sift through hundreds of headshots, Artguru might be just what you're looking for. The style options are limited, with only eight available each for men and women, but the turnaround time is quick -- your headshots are ready in about an hour.
With Artguru's mini package, you'll only get eight headshots, all featuring one particular style. The standard package for only $2 more will give you two style options and double the photos in a high-quality 3K format. In this case, upgrading the package seems to be worth the cost as the final headshots will be much improved and you're likely to be happier.
For anyone looking for headshots that are more fun than professional, Artguru also offers an AI Avatar Generator. You can use this as a way to create an image of yourself that embodies a particular hobby, film genre or fantasy world of your own creation. Use its existing styles as a base, then add your own details for a customized look.
Secta was the first company in the world to offer AI-generated headshots, and it's been perfecting the service for years. While the price point is higher than many others on our list, you'll get plenty of value in return.
One unique feature Secta provides with its package is up to two free "retries." This means that if you're not happy with the overall results of your headshots, you can resubmit up to two new rounds of photos, and new ones will be generated for you. You'll also have access to their AI editing tool called Remix, which allows you to retouch or swap out any features, such as hair style, background or clothing.
Secta includes the largest quantity of headshots, sending you more than 300 options within just two hours. The company is so confident in the quality and value of its product that it also offers a 100 percent money-back guarantee. You have nothing to lose by trying out Secta.
AI headshot generators have simplified the process of creating high-quality headshots so you can instantly level up your personal brand on social media, LinkedIn or anywhere else you need to upload a photo. But are they always better than going with a tried-and-true professional photographer?
In some circumstances, you can't beat a real photograph that captures your personality, highlights your best features and embodies your true essence. But AI-generated headshots can be the best option for many people in certain situations. Let's discuss some reasons why you might consider choosing one over the other.
Obviously, the cost of hiring a professional photographer is much steeper than getting AI-generated headshots. The average price of a photoshoot usually ranges from $250 to $1,000 or more. But you also need to think about additional expenses, such as buying professional clothes to wear, getting your hair and makeup professionally done and possibly booking a studio space or other location to do the shoot.
On the other hand, AI-generated headshots can be as low as $21, and you don't have to wear special clothing or get your hair done. The background, outfits, and styling are all added digitally so your photos will have much more variety than you could get with a live photoshoot.
Everyone is busy these days, and it goes without saying that getting professional photos taken is much more time-consuming than using an AI headshot generator. The shoot itself will take a minimum of two hours, or even longer if it involves several locations.
When you factor in the time it takes to shop for or choose your outfits, fix your hair and makeup and travel to and from the studio, it's a big time commitment to get your headshots done the traditional way. For your AI-generated headshots, all you need is a few minutes to upload photos you already have in your camera roll -- within a few hours, your new headshots will be ready to go!
With traditional headshots, while you'll be able to change up your outfits a few times, you won't have time to make any big changes to your hair and makeup during the shoot. You'll also be limited to a few backdrops or locations if you're doing outdoor photos. The photographer will be able to enhance and adjust the photos a bit, but they probably can't swap out your hair color or whiten your teeth like you can with an AI headshot generator or AI editor.
For more variety in your photos, and to try out completely new looks, you're better off choosing an AI headshot generator. But if you have the time to spare and you're willing to pay more for a set of high-quality headshots from a professional photographer, traditional headshots can be the way to go.
As companies that produce AI-generated headshots continue to grow and build on the latest technologies, creating high-quality headshots using AI will only get easier and more realistic. Compared to hiring a professional photographer for a studio photoshoot, uploading some photos to an AI headshot generator saves you time and money and gives you more options for customizing your photos.
For faster, more convenient and cost-effective headshots, you can't beat this new trick for leveling up your online image. Within hours, and often faster, you can have professional, sharp photos that are versatile enough to use anywhere -- from your company's website to your social media profiles.
Depending on your personal preferences or professional image, any of the companies on this list can create custom headshots that capture your style and enhance your best features. Some offer just the basics and have a more corporate flair, while others offer more options for customizing and editing that you can use on your favorite photos.
We don't think you can go wrong with any of the AI headshot-generator platforms we discussed above, but ultimately the decision is yours. Now, go out there and get your new headshots, and prepare to feast your eyes on the best version of you!
