Let’s face it: getting a professional headshot is a hassle. You either spend hundreds of dollars on a photographer and an awkward afternoon trying to pose naturally, or you end up using that slightly-too-casual selfie from three years ago for your LinkedIn profile. Neither is a great option.
Enter AI headshot generators. These services promise to transform a handful of your casual photos into studio-quality, professional headshots—all for a fraction of the cost and time. But do they actually work? And which one is the best?
We decided to find out. We put 7 of the most popular AI headshot generators to the test, uploading the same set of 15 selfies to each one. We judged them on realism, variety, ease of use, and overall value. This is our definitive guide.
How We Tested: The 4 Key Criteria
To keep things fair, we scored each service on a consistent set of metrics:
- Realism & Quality: Did the headshots look like a real person, or did they have that creepy, plastic “AI look”? We looked for natural skin texture, realistic lighting, and consistent facial features.
- Variety & Style: Did the service provide a good range of backgrounds, outfits, and expressions? Or was it just the same head on 20 different boring backdrops?
- Ease of Use: How simple was the process? We looked for clear instructions for uploading photos and a user-friendly interface.
- Price & Value: How much did it cost, and what did you get for your money? We considered the number of unique headshots delivered per dollar.
The 7 Contenders: A Quick Breakdown
1. Aragon AI
- What we liked: The realism is industry-leading. Aragon consistently produced images with fantastic lighting and texture that were almost indistinguishable from real photos. The processing time was also impressively fast.
- What could be better: It’s one of the more expensive options on the list.
- Best for: Professionals who need the absolute highest quality and are willing to pay a premium for it.
2. HeadshotPro
- What we liked: The variety is incredible. HeadshotPro delivered a massive range of outfits and backgrounds, making it perfect for building a full library of professional images for different uses. It’s also excellent for teams.
- What could be better: A few of the images had minor “AI tells,” like slightly warped hands or backgrounds.
- Best for: Teams and individuals who want maximum variety and options.
3. Secta Labs
- What we liked: The artistic direction is fantastic. Secta’s results have a unique, polished style that feels more creative than some of the more corporate-focused generators. The user interface is clean and simple.
- What could be better: The number of initial photos required for upload is higher than some others.
- Best for: Creatives, designers, and anyone looking for a headshot with a bit more personality.
4. Fotor’s AI Headshot Generator
- What we liked: It’s incredibly fast and easy to use, making it great for beginners. As part of a full photo editing suite, it offers great overall value if you need other editing tools.
- What could be better: The realism isn’t quite on par with the dedicated services like Aragon. Some results looked a bit generic.
- Best for: Users who want a quick, affordable option and are already using Fotor for other photo editing needs.
5. ProPhotos.ai
- What we liked: The corporate and business-centric styles are spot-on. If you need a classic “LinkedIn” headshot in a suit against a clean office background, this tool nails it every time.
- What could be better: Less variety in creative or casual styles compared to others.
- Best for: Sales professionals, consultants, and those in corporate environments.
6. Dreamwave AI
- What we liked: The model is trained on your face for a longer period (a few hours), which results in extremely high consistency and realism across all photos. It truly learns your face.
- What could be better: The wait time. It’s not for those who need a headshot in an hour.
- Best for: The patient user who values quality and consistency above all else.
7. PFPmaker
- What we liked: It’s a super-fast, often free tool for generating simple profile pictures (PFPs) with different backgrounds. It’s perfect for a quick social media update.
- What could be better: This is not a true “headshot generator.” It’s more of a background remover and style applicator. The results are not photorealistic headshots.
- Best for: A quick, free profile picture for Discord, Twitter, or Instagram, not for a professional LinkedIn profile.
The Showdown: Comparison Table
| Service | Realism | Variety | Ease of Use | Price & Value |
| Aragon AI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| HeadshotPro | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Secta Labs | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Fotor | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| ProPhotos.ai | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dreamwave AI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| PFPmaker | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Free) |
The Verdict: The Best AI Headshot Generator Is…
After reviewing all the results, we have a clear winner.
🏆 Best Overall: Aragon AI
While it’s a premium service, the results from Aragon AI speak for themselves. The quality, realism, and professionalism are simply a cut above the rest. If you want a set of headshots that you can confidently use on your company website, LinkedIn profile, and speaker bios without anyone suspecting they’re AI-generated, Aragon is the investment to make.
🏅 Best Value: Secta Labs
For those who want a fantastic balance of quality, style, and price, Secta Labs is our top recommendation. It delivers beautiful, high-quality images with a unique creative flair at a very competitive price point, making it the best all-around value on the market.
Final Thoughts
The world of AI headshots is evolving at an incredible speed. While a human photographer still offers an unparalleled level of customization and experience, these AI generators have become a genuinely viable, fast, and affordable alternative for professionals everywhere.
Have you tried an AI headshot generator? Share your experience in the comments below!