Whether you’re a seasoned CEO or first-time college intern, first impressions matter.

For professionals, a clean, crisp AI headshot allows future employers to see the person behind the paper. A polished portrait can help build trust and establish authenticity, or at the very least, set you apart in a sea of other candidates. In this competitive, digital age, having a headshot should be a no-brainer.

But, how much time, money, and energy are you willing to put into a high-quality portrait? Professional photography can also cost upwards of $1500 and require hours of planning, prepping, shooting, editing, and printing. Not to mention, booking a photographer? That can take weeks, sometimes even months. For some of us, it’s simply not a realistic option.

Like many of us, I’ve splurged on the fancy pantsuit and photoshoot, hoping to make my resume standout — only to end up utterly disappointed. If only online headshot generators had been around when I started my career! They’ve become a popular alternative for individuals who want their resume to make a lasting impression.

Using a headshot generator is a much quicker and more cost-effective choice than traditional photography. These next-gen portrait services streamline the entire experience, so customers can sit back and relax while their professional headshots are crafted to capture their style. From selecting your backdrops to fine-tuning your look, many of these services are entirely customizable, so you can curate a collection of headshots that actually feels like you.

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best AI portrait services that cover all your needs. I’ve found secure sites that protect your privacy, affordable options for the most bang-for-your-buck, and other programs that are so user-friendly that even your Grandma could get the job done.

I even tried one of these AI headshot generator sites out myself, and the results shocked me and my own mother. She couldn’t tell the difference, even with her glasses on.

Unbelievably realistic photos at your fingertips. That’s what PortraitPal has to offer, and thousands of happy customers agree that its headshot-generating services are worth every cent. Starting at just $35 for 20 high-quality prints, users can explore different packages and processing times that meet their needs. Getting started is simple, and the final product arrives in less than a few hours. All users have to do is drop in a few selfies, candids, or basic shots and answer some questions about their build and style preferences. PortraitPal’s AI analyzes, finetunes, and recreates your originals, transforming low-quality snaps into powerful headshots that place you in the best light — literally and metaphorically.

New York Post Review:  Like many Gen Z-ers, I settled for a senior photo as my professional headshot for more years than I’d like to admit. The grainy, zoomed-in portrait was so outdated that, at one point, I’m not sure if I even recognized myself.

Years later, I stumbled upon PortraitPal’s basic headshot package and decided it was time to give it a shot. I signed up with my email, entered the basics (name, age, hair color, physical stature, etc.), and then dropped some pictures that I thought were workable — if you know what I mean.

Then, I waited… half-expecting to look like a mangled Sims character or like I went a little too heavy on the Facetune filters. Three hours later, I had 20 photos waiting for me, and all my fears evaporated. These images captured every angle without flaw. Clear, detailed, and placed in business-casual settings, from bright office spaces to dim-lit libraries, outdoors, and everything in between.

The album captured me, but on my best day, with an effortless smile, smoother skin, and a fresh blowout, which I’d never be able to afford on top of an actual photoshoot. When I showed my mother some of my new headshots, she asked where I got the blazer.

If PortraitPal properly fooled her, I’m confident nobody else will question where my brand-new LinkedIn profile picture came from either.

Pricing: Starts at $35 for 20 high-quality headshots.

BetterPic makes studio-quality portraits so easy and accessible that the only question on your mind will be how many you should be adding to your cart. The three-step process is simple.

First, users pick from a mix of 150 styles, outfits, and backgrounds to hone in on their look. Then, you can start uploading your original shots (eight needed total). If you have any questions or concerns, simply nudge the program’s AI-assist. It can help determine the quality of your original images, so the final product captures every detail.

Within an hour, your brand-new photos will be sent straight to your email. One of the best of BetterPic’s best offers is the option to further edit with BetterPic’s AI Studio. Keep in mind that every touch-up is $8, but if you’re looking for a flawless, realistic portrait, this service may be right for you.

The process is fast, fun, and still affords some customization opportunities, so your new headshot shines.

Pricing: Starts at $35 for 20 Headshots (4K)

Many professionals turn to Adobe Firefly for editing and image generation.

While it takes some more editing skills and a bit of patience to get started, the ability to customize with specific prompts and take control over the final product makes it an attractive choice for dedicated creatives.

Firefly can automate photos from simple text prompts, but these images will typically resemble other stock photos, and not you. Therefore, the best way to get started is to upload a photo of yourself to Photoshop and then use the generative fill feature to remove the background and add an appropriate outfit or accessories. From there, you can utilize Firefly’s AI enhancements to smooth the skin, adjust lighting, and choose a more neutral backdrop for your headshot. Yes, it takes some time to get used to the Photoshop tools.

However, Firefly is also free to use, so if you’re willing to put out the work, it might be worth it.

Pricing: Free to use, subscription starts at $10/month

Not all of us are so patient. If you’re eager to get your hands on a polished, brand-new portrait, but don’t want to wait hours for the results, PixelPose may be your best bet.

This site offers three processing plans, with the starting package delivering 20 images in just 1.5 hours. Like other AI portrait generators, you can upload original photos directly from social media for a fast and easy setup.

The resulting portfolio showcases users in several outfits and different backgrounds, so there are plenty to choose from. It’s not a heavy lift for customers, but it’s important to note that you won’t be able to manually edit the images after they are generated.

What you get is what you get, and results vary, according to some customers.

Pricing: Starts at $35 for 20 high-quality headshots

From making logos to touching up family photos, Canva offers a full suite of editing tools for all your creative aspirations. The platform is known for its drag-and-drop mechanism, making it more intuitive for beginning editors to use.

The Instant Photo Editing feature allows users to grab, erase, and brush over parts of an image to remove distractions and return the focus on what matters.

Canva also offers a compatible ID Image App for those interested in creating corporate headshots. You’ll need to log in to your Canva account first and then select ID Image from the APP toolbar. From there, users can select a well-lit image of themselves, and choose a style (corporate, natural, artistic, etc.) and sit back while Canva brings their vision to life. The free plan offers up to 50 AI images.

Pricing: Free to use, Canva Pro subscription starts at $15/month

Instaheadshots has created over 15 million professional headshots for users worldwide, including some Fortune 500 companies.

If that alone isn’t proof that they’re an excellent headshot generator, take a look at some of their creations. Their photos are crisp, clear, and hyper-realistic, and take as little as 15 minutes to create.

Instaheadshots also offers services for companies and remote workers, so you can take care of the entire team and ensure your company’s bio page looks its best. Getting started is simple. You’ll need to upload at least two upper-body shots and eight close-up photos of your face. From there, Instaheadshots gets to work.

Customization options are available, and customers say that the customer service is phenomenal, so if you have any questions or concerns about your final product, there will be someone ready to support you.

Pricing: Starts at $49 for 40 high-quality headshots

There’s no guessing game with Dreamwave. Before paying for any professional headshots, users can play around with example portraits, choosing from different people and styles to see what might suit them.

The site has also set itself apart from some competitors by giving users more control over the final product. After receiving their headshots, customers can touch up the contrast, outfits, and backgrounds and even have the option to enhance their facial features. The bright lighting and soft backgrounds are optimized for professionalism, but this company also offers dozens of other, more creative styles, from event photos and pet portraits to photorealistic videos.

The wait time for photos is around 1 hour, but the results are natural, stunning, and made to put you in the very best light. Well worth it if you’re after quality.

Pricing: Starts at $35 for 75 photos

To evaluate the best AI headshot generators, we considered a few important factors: the ease of use and site navigation, overall quality of the images and likeness, customization and fine-tuning, pricing and packages, and turnaround time.

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