Hey everyone! 👋
I became interested in AI headshot generation in 2024 when a new generative model (Flux) came out. I was impressed by the results and all the opportunities it offered. I tested several solutions like PhotoAI.com at the time and was not satisfied by the prices and the overall product. I was also frustrated by the inconsistencies of the result I could get out of the box with Flux.
I started working on photographe.ai by the end of 2024 and after being delayed a lot (you know, side projects) I wanted to do an overview of what we have now in 2025 and share the result here.
I tested 7 of the most popular AI headshot generators of 2025 to see which ones actually deliver results worthy of your LinkedIn, CV, or next big profile update. Some are really good, others I don't understand why they pop up in the first search results I did.
Methodology
Selection of Services: I picked the most visible and talked-about platforms — the top results on Google for a variety of headshot-related searches.
Input Data: I used the same set of selfies for every tool that required model training (mostly casual iPhone selfies, nothing fancy). When no training was needed, I used a single high-quality selfie as the base input for fairness.
Objective Measurement: I ran every final photo through AWS Rekognition, the same facial recognition technology used in airports, to measure resemblance to the original photos. However, since generative AI models are often trained to optimize for tools like AWS Rekognition, I found that resemblance scores were maxed out across all platforms. As a result, I had to rely on subjective visual reviews as well.
Comparison Table: At the end of this article, you'll find a comprehensive table comparing prices, features, generation times, and more.
Candidates
Photographe.ai: $19/m for 1,000 photos + 50 free photos included (disclosure: I'm the founder)
PhotoAI: $49/m for 1,000 photos + 50 free photos included
Betterpic: $35 for 20 photos
Headshotpro: $29 for 40 photos
Aragon: $35 for 40 photos
Canva: Free for 1 photo
GPT 4o: Free with limitations
Comparison table
Don't want to read everything? Here's the result table. I decided to focus on the basic generation tasks and resemblance, most of these tools have additional tools (like de-blur, image restoration, background removal etc) I did not include in my review.

The Most Popular and Well-Established (But I Was Disappointed)

Betterpic and HeadshotPro follow almost identical processes. They focus entirely on delivering professional-looking photos. Everything is geared toward that: you choose backgrounds, outfits, and settings, upload 10 to 15 photos, fill out a medium-length form about your facial and body features, pay, wait one to two hours… and eventually receive your batch of photos with very limited editing options.
Among this type of service, Betterpic delivered the best results. The photo quality was good, and I didn't notice any strange facial expressions or obvious AI artifacts. But this model feels restrictive — you get what you get, and that's it.

This one disappointed me the most. I had high expectations, but the results were off for about 80% of the photos. The images were sharp and high quality, but the resemblance simply wasn't there.
It also took longer than the others — two full hours before I received the first batch. On top of that, I ran into multiple technical issues during the process: network errors, 502 HTTP responses, and a failed payment flow that required me to contact support to proceed. The support team was quick to respond, but the whole experience felt frustrating and far from smooth.

Aragon felt like a simplified version of HeadshotPro and Betterpic. The final photos were mostly okay, and I appreciated that the platform offered more variety in poses and styles. Betterpic and HeadshotPro tend to generate the exact same pose across all images, which might be fine if you're after a hyper-consistent result, but Aragon's diversity felt more natural. Unfortunately, there's that smile that isn't mine, and the same goes for the hair.
The False Competitors

It's no surprise that Canva appears at the top of Google results — it's a huge platform. But it's absolutely not specialized in AI headshots. The results are, let's say… interesting.
I was surprised to see that it's not even free for this use case. There's probably a niche audience for what Canva offers, but it's completely off-topic for anyone seriously looking for AI-generated professional headshots generators.

ChatGPT-4o took the internet by storm in 2025 with its incredible image editing capabilities. But there's a huge misunderstanding online: this tool is not designed for lookalike generation. It doesn't even try to preserve your real appearance.
It's great for creative concepts, memes, and experimental visuals, but if you're hoping to generate a convincing headshot of yourself, this is absolutely not the right tool.
The New Portrait Generators (My Favorites)
I believe that because AI can be unpredictable, the "pay once and get 40 perfect shots" approach simply doesn't work. The best results came from platforms that let me generate as many photos as I needed to find the perfect one — and at a fraction of the price.

PhotoAI was one of the first platforms to apply this more flexible logic. It delivers solid results, but one major frustration (shared with most competitors) is that it insists on forcing a smile — which often ruins the resemblance by changing the natural facial expression. Once again, there's that smile that isn't mine, and the same goes for the hair.
That said, the photos were sharp and high quality. The model is expensive — $19 for just 100 photos — but results are delivered quickly, usually in less than 30 minutes.
Photographe.ai (Disclosure: I'm the founder)

In the end, I'm really happy with the direction I took for Photographe.ai. I focused on maintaining correct facial expressions and realism. I'm not the type who smiles with teeth, and the model respects that. While not every photo is perfect, most feel more natural and authentic to me.
At $9 for 250 photos, it's also the most affordable competitor while still delivering high-quality outputs. And beyond just professional portraits, I wanted this tool to be fun — perfect for generating memes, trying new outfits, experimenting with hairstyles, and having more personal creative control.
The process is also faster and simpler. You just upload your photos — no lengthy forms to fill out — and results are ready in 5 to 10 minutes, making it the fastest service I've tested.
What is the best app for AI headshots? — Verdict
PhotoAI.com & Photographe.ai
PhotoAI.com and Photographe.ai may not be specialized in corporate headshots, but they stand out by providing great results as well as creative flexibility. They are not expensive and let you play around generating enough photos to get the one you'll like. Both platforms include tools for outfit changes, hairstyle adjustments, or start from an image.
PhotoAI.com starts at $19/month for 50 photos, while Photographe.ai offers a far better deal at $9/month for 250 photos. If you're looking for variety alongside professional options, I think Photographe.ai delivers the best value.
Betterpic, HeadshotPro & Aragon.ai
If you want to stick with professional headshots and don't mind the price, Betterpic, Aragon, and HeadshotPro deliver. Results look like real studio shots but for me not the best resemblance. They may be the best if you want very inviting pictures even if the resemblance is off a bit.
They specialize in polished business photos, and turnaround time is quick (usually within one hour). Prices are $35-$39 for around 20-40 photos. If you need LinkedIn-ready images, these are the tools to choose, but customization options feel limited.
ChatGPT-4o & Canva
I found Canva being more of a toy than a serious tool. I think they scored high in the Google result because Canva itself is very popular. It's free, and can make artistic results, but it is not a headshot generator like the others. ChatGPT-4o is new and super popular, it has amazing creative editing capabilities, and results are kind of realistic; but it is absolutely not about resemblance and you simply cannot do headshot of yourself from it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free headshot AI generator?
Unfortunately, not yet. While tools like Canva and ChatGPT-4o appear often in Google searches, they don't focus on resemblance, the result simply won't look like you. To truly achieve resemblance, today's technology requires training a model on several of your photos, which comes with a non-negligible cost for the website (about $2-$6).

Can ChatGPT do headshots?
No, ChatGPT is an awesome tool to manipulate image but it still create a new image and because it was not trained on your own face, it will not be able to generate a photo of you.
What is the most realistic headshot AI?
For me the best model is offered by Photographe.ai and PhotoAI.com, AI never works on the first try, that's why the more liberty you have to generate new pictures the best your results will be. PhotoAI decided to force a smile on all my headshots, which looks unlike me, but maybe it is on purpose to get a more inviting picture.

If you want polished, inviting pictures and don't mind paying more (even if it doesn't really look like you), then Betterpic, Aragon.ai or HeadshotPro are great. Unfortunately the face shape was not perfect most of the time, and off as soon as we add a smile that isn't mine.

Conclusion
Choosing the right AI headshot tool really depends on your needs and budget. Generative AI is still unpredictable, the most pictures you can generate to play around, the best results you'll get.
As the creator of Photographe.ai, I also believe personal generative AI shouldn't just be about stiff, professional headshots. That's why I focus on offering creative tools and letting users generate a lot of photos at a low price. You can experiment with new outfits, hairstyles, or even turn yourself into a meme while chatting with friends — all without sacrificing quality.
At the end of the day, whether you're polishing your LinkedIn presence or just having some fun, there's never been an easier time to refresh your online image.
If you found this useful, feel free to share or ask me questions below!
