In a world that is more connected than ever, having a professional headshot is not only nice, but it is the new standard. Whether it be for updating your LinkedIn, personal brand or to break through the myriad of profiles online — a great headshot is paramount. In the past, if you wanted a pro photo of yourself, your only option was to hire a photographer and book a session (and part with several hundred dollars). But AI-powered headshot generators have changed all of that. In only a couple of clicks, you can experience the power of an amazing looking professional image without ever entering a photo studio.
A recent report by Statista showed that more than 50% of professionals find having a recent headshot makes them easier to be found online by recruiters. On the shoulders of a generation of 85% online job applications, the demand for quick and cost-effective headshots is a burgeoning one.
But not all AI headshot tools are created equal. Some prioritize speed, others focus on creativity, while a few are tailored specifically for certain industries. In this article, we’ll delve into the best AI headshot generators of 2024, giving you an overview of each tool’s strengths, weaknesses, pricing, and real-world performance.
Top 5 Picks
Here are my top 5 picks for your convenience:
👉 1. PortraitPal
👉 2. BetterPic
👉 3. Aragon AI
👉 4. The Multiverse AI
👉 5. Prophotos AI
Next, let me share my results with each tool (and how to use them.)
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1. Portrait Pal
Portrait Pal is designed for those who need polished, professional headshots with minimal effort. With its AI-driven customization options, Portrait Pal has quickly become a favorite among freelancers and job seekers alike. According to their official website, they’ve generated over 1 million headshots for professionals worldwide in 2023 alone.
Pros
- Intuitive interface, perfect for beginners.
- A variety of customizable backgrounds, outfits, and lighting.
- Fast rendering times, often under 2 minutes per photo.
Cons
- Limited download options in the free version.
- Some users report minor facial feature discrepancies.
Pricing
Portrait Pal offers a free tier, but to access the full range of features and high-resolution downloads, you’ll need a premium plan starting at $9.99 per month. The premium version allows up to 20 downloads a month and includes more background and outfit options.
My Experience
I uploaded a simple selfie, and Portrait Pal turned it into a clean headshot in 90 seconds flat. The tool comes with so many backgrounds and lighting options that I could adjust for a casual look or make more formal. So the free version, of course, still gets the job done but I paid for premium to have more options on my own personal Gordini and higher res photos. One of my friends recently saved their LinkedIn profile to incorporate analytics, and within a couple of weeks received +30% more views on her profile.
👉 Try Portrait Pal
2. BetterPic
BetterPic has been created as a straightforward AI tool, predominantly for professionals who need a fast and clear headshot. This innovation resource is largely dedicated to corporate clients, and has been very popular with law firms, tech companies and startups. With over 10,000 companies using BetterPic to generate employee headshots in fact.
Pros
- Offers high-resolution headshots optimized for business use.
- Ideal for teams needing multiple headshots with consistent branding.
- Built-in options for team photo management.
Cons
- Lacks creative or casual headshot options.
- Premium pricing, especially for team packages.
Pricing
BetterPic operates on a pay-per-use model. For individuals, it’s $12 per headshot, but businesses looking to generate headshots for their entire team can access bulk discounts. Packages for 50 employees start at $399.
My Experience
I was impressed with how fast BetterPic generated a headshot. The quality of the image was excellent—sharp, well-lit, and professional. The lack of creative flexibility might be a turnoff for some, but if you’re in a corporate setting, this tool delivers exactly what you need. I tested it with a team of five and appreciated the seamless process for generating consistent headshots across the group.
👉 Try BetterPic
3. Aragon AI
The kind of work that Aragon AI does is quite different, especially with the hyper-realistic headshots. In fact, it actually becomes really difficult to tell the difference between AI-generated images and real-life photography. Moreover, Aragon AI, known for its advanced neural networks, produces results that are nearly indistinguishable from life, where the margin between realism and professional photography is minimal.
Pros
- Hyper-realistic headshots with natural lighting and textures.
- Options to tweak facial expressions and pose variations.
- Advanced background removal feature.
Cons
- Slower rendering times, sometimes up to 5 minutes per headshot.
- Some users report an uncanny valley effect in certain images.
Pricing
Normally, Aragon AI rates $14.99 per headshot and sometimes gives discounts for bundle. Monthly prices: coming down from 10 images a month at $19.99
My Experience
When I used Aragon AI, it was like getting a picture taken by a top-line photographer. The AI was able to identify some finer points like skin texture and natural lighting that evaded many other models. It did run at about 3 FPS though, so if you are in a hurry that is an upside. I thought the resulting photos were pretty real and could pass as professionally taken pictures; the options for changing facial expression and pose was cool. Another Redditor mentioned that changing their LinkedIn headshot to an Aragon AI one gave them the confidence to apply for a job interview.
👉 Try Aragon AI
4. The Multiverse AI
Multiverse AI took headshot making to an almost surreal level in its creation of portraits. It varies from standard professional looks to really creative and visually fantastic images. Offering something for all professions, this tool is equally useful for planned artists and designers.
Pros
- A wide array of customizable genres, including creative and fantasy-inspired styles.
- Great for both casual and professional headshots.
- Generates high-quality, imaginative portraits.
Cons
- Some headshots may feel overly stylized for formal settings.
- High-quality image uploads are necessary for the best results.
Pricing
Headshots from Multiverse AI start at $10 each, but bulk image orders of 10 come with discounts, bringing the price down to just $85.
My Experience
The Multiverse AI lives up to its name, offering the most diverse range of styles I’ve seen from an AI headshot generator. I tried several different looks—ranging from traditional business attire to a more futuristic, creative aesthetic. The results were fun and highly customizable, though I’d advise against using the more artistic styles for formal business settings. It’s great for creative professionals like designers, writers, and content creators who want to stand out.
👉 Try The Multiverse AI
5. Prophotos AI
ProPhotos AI is a product of artificial intelligence designed for photographers or advanced users who want to create and tweak their portraits. Moreover, it offers a range of editing tools far beyond basic AI images, which, as a result, makes it ideal for anyone who loves having complete control over the creation of their portraits.
Pros
- A variety of advanced editing tools, from lighting adjustments to facial retouching.
- High-resolution downloads suitable for both print and digital use.
- A broad selection of styles and customizable templates.
Cons
- Not as beginner-friendly as other tools.
- Higher cost for premium features.
Pricing
Prophotos AI is fairly amazing and intuitive in that it has a free version with basic features. Paid plans start from $19.99 a month, unlocking advanced editing tools, higher-resolution downloads, and more templates besides.
My Experience
Prophotos AI felt more like a professional photo-editing software than a simple headshot generator. The suite of customization options was vast, ranging from color grading to precise adjustments of facial expressions. For a user with experience in photo editing, it’s a dream come true. However, the learning curve might be steep for beginners. I used the tool to adjust lighting and facial retouching in a series of headshots, and the results were stunning—perfect for print media or high-stakes presentations.
👉 Try Prophotos AI
6. DreamWave AI
If you’re looking for something more than just a typical business headshot, DreamWave AI delivers. Known for its AI-driven, artistic portraits, it’s perfect for those in creative fields like graphic design, media, and advertising.
Pros
- Highly stylized, artistic headshots.
- Customizable filters and effects that mimic various art styles.
- Great for social media profiles and personal branding.
Cons
- Not suitable for traditional business or corporate settings.
- Abstract filters may distort certain features.
Pricing
DreamWave AI starts at $7 per image, with premium packages that offer more filter options and higher resolution downloads.
My Experience
DreamWave AI is an extraordinary gift to a creative. The tool has given rise to headshots that could resemble artistic pieces more than common portraits. I adored the broad spectrum of filters; from surreal painterly effects to chic modern edits, the effects lend incredible creativity to the work. While unfit for use in applications, DreamWave AI would serve well for social media, portfolios, or any creative environment for the expressionist.
👉 Try Dreamwave AI for Free
7. Profilebakery
Profilebakery is a versatile AI tool that serves a variety of industries—from business to social media influencers. It’s particularly popular with young professionals seeking to stand out in competitive job markets.
Pros
- Affordable pricing for high-quality headshots.
- Perfect for LinkedIn and social media profile pictures.
- Easy-to-use interface with a variety of backgrounds and filters.
Cons
- Limited options for formal corporate photos.
- Some filters can make the images look over-processed.
Pricing
Profilebakery charges $5 per headshot, making it one of the more affordable options. They also offer a monthly subscription for $12.99 that allows unlimited photo generation.
My Experience
Such an excellent little thing for young professionals. I updated my LinkedIn and Twitter photos through that, and the response was incredibly positive. The generated headshots were clean, modern, and ideal for a casual yet professional online presence. However, its more casual nature makes it unsuitable for formal-type industries.
👉 Try Profilebakery
8. HeadshotsByAI
HeadshotsByAI is designed to be simple yet focused on business; moreover, it offers no-nonsense headshots for professionals who need images for various purposes, such as LinkedIn pages, resumes, and corporate websites.
Pros
- Simple, easy-to-use interface with minimal distractions.
- High-resolution images designed for professional use.
- Consistent lighting and background options for teams.
Cons
- Limited creative options.
- Some users report inconsistent results with skin tones.
Pricing
HeadshotsByAI charges $9.99 per image; however, discounts are available for bulk purchases by companies or teams.
My Experience
HeadshotsByAI delivered what I needed: a crisp, professional-looking image for my site. The platform is really no-frills, which suits just one looking for a clean, professional headshot. The skin tone problem was minor; however, it did come across in certain lighting conditions.
👉 Try HeadshotsbyAI
My Take on AI Headshot Generators
AI headshot generators have made an enormous disruption to the way we put ourselves online. New statistics show that, in the last two years, AI-generated headshots’ demand has risen by 150%, as professionals, freelancers, and creatives look for quicker and cheaper alternatives to traditional photography.
While Portrait Pal and BetterPic dominate the corporate scene with their clean, professional photos, tools like DreamWave AI and The Multiverse AI push the creative boundaries. My suggestion? Consider the context in which your headshot will be used. Whether it’s a job application or a personal branding exercise, these tools offer something for everyone.
Finally, every headshot generator has its own merits and demerits depending on the need. Ordinarily, as for those on a budget, tools like Profilebakery and Dr. Headshot offer great value; while BetterPic or Aragon AI should appeal much more to professionals, returning more reliable outputs. Whichever tool is chosen, AI has simplified and made headshot more accessible than ever.
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