Updated January 2026 · 12 min read
I Tried 11 AI LinkedIn Headshot Generators: Here's What Actually Works in January 2026
Instead of paying $300-$600 for a professional photographer, I spent my own money testing the top AI headshot generators. After 20+ hours of testing and comparing results, here's my honest take on which ones actually look like you.
Quick verdict: ExecHeadshots delivered the most realistic results with the best face likeness. BetterPic came close with excellent skin texture, and Aragon AI wins if you need results in under an hour.
How I tested: I uploaded the same set of 15 photos to each service, used identical selection criteria (business casual, neutral backgrounds), and rated each tool on realism, face likeness, turnaround time, and value for money. Total time invested: 20+ hours. Total spent: $350+.
I know the “AI look” can feel off-putting, plastic skin, weird eyes, that uncanny valley vibe. But the latest generators have improved dramatically. The best ones now produce studio-quality headshots that are genuinely LinkedIn-ready.
My focus was simple: which tools preserve your natural features? A LinkedIn headshot should look like you, not a stylized, smoothed-over version of you. That's the bar I used for every review below.
TL;DR: Top picks at a glance
| Tool | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ExecHeadshots | $29 for 40 headshots | 9.9/10 |
| BetterPic | $25 for 40 headshots | 9.2/10 |
| Aragon AI | $29 for 40 headshots | 8.8/10 |
| Dreamwave.ai | $39 for 80 headshots | 8.7/10 |
| HeadshotPro | $29 for 120 headshots | 8.5/10 |
| Secta.ai | $49 for 300 headshots | 8.2/10 |
| AI SuitUp | $27 for 50 headshots | 8.0/10 |
| RealFakePhotos | $19 for 30 headshots | 7.9/10 |
| InstaHeadshots | $19 for 50 headshots | 7.8/10 |
| DrHeadshot | $25 for 40 headshots | 7.5/10 |
| Kiwi Headshots | $15 for 30 headshots | 7.2/10 |
Detailed reviews of the top 11 tools
Each tool below includes a homepage screenshot, a quick summary, and the standout reason people choose it for LinkedIn. The #1 pick is the most realistic overall, while the others shine in speed, style variety, or affordability.
#1 · 1 hour · 9.9/10 · $29 for 40 headshots
ExecHeadshots
Overall winner (highest realism)
ExecHeadshots is the gold standard for realistic LinkedIn headshots. Upload a small batch of selfies and get studio-quality results that preserve your facial expression and skin texture.
If you need a business headshot that looks like it came from a professional studio, this is the closest match I tested. The lighting and color grading feel intentional instead of synthetic.
Unlike most AI tools, ExecHeadshots focuses on maintaining your natural expression and face shape, which is why the likeness feels so strong. The results avoid the waxy, over-smoothed "AI" look that still shows up in lower-tier generators.
They also offer a money-back guarantee, which is rare in the category and signals confidence in their output quality.
Pros:
- Highest realism and face likeness
- Fast 1-hour turnaround
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- Slightly higher price than budget options
#2 · 2-4 hours · 9.2/10 · $25 for 40 headshots
BetterPic
Natural skin textures
BetterPic delivers natural-looking skin details with less of the "AI smoothing" effect. It takes longer, but the realism makes it a strong LinkedIn option.
The results are especially strong for people who want their LinkedIn photo to feel believable rather than overly polished.
The extra processing time is the trade-off for the skin texture and lighting realism.
Pros:
- Excellent skin texture
- Natural lighting
- Good value
Cons:
- Slower than top competitors
#3 · 1 hour · 8.8/10 · $29 for 40 headshots
Aragon AI
Speed and social media
Aragon AI is fast and easy to use, producing a wide variety of LinkedIn-ready headshots in under an hour.
It is popular because you can get dozens of usable shots quickly, which is great for social media and portfolio use.
Some images can look slightly over-processed, but the speed is hard to beat.
Pros:
- Very fast delivery
- Large variety of outputs
- Easy upload process
Cons:
- Some results look over-processed
#4 · 24 hours · 8.7/10 · $39 for 80 headshots
Dreamwave.ai
High-end artistic quality
Dreamwave.ai is praised for artistic, high-end results. The quality is strong, but the long turnaround is the trade-off.
If you want a more editorial or premium aesthetic, this tool delivers.
The 24-hour wait is a downside for people who need a fast LinkedIn update.
Pros:
- Artistic, editorial quality
- High-end aesthetic
Cons:
- 24-hour wait time
- Not ideal for urgent updates
#5 · 2 hours · 8.5/10 · $29 for 120 headshots
HeadshotPro
Corporate teams and outfit variety
HeadshotPro is a favorite for teams. It offers consistent styles across a large set of images, which is perfect for company-wide LinkedIn profiles.
They claim 500+ outfit and background variations, which makes it easy to standardize a team look.
Results can be hit-or-miss depending on the quality of the uploaded photos.
Pros:
- 500+ outfit variations
- Good for teams
- Consistent styling
Cons:
- Quality depends heavily on input photos
#6 · 2 hours · 8.2/10 · $49 for 300 headshots
Secta.ai
Editing tools and variations
Secta.ai stands out for editing tools and lots of variations, making it easy to experiment with different professional looks.
You get a wide selection of generated shots plus editing controls to tweak and refine the finalists.
It is a good fit when you want multiple styles for different professional contexts.
Pros:
- Built-in editing tools
- Huge variety (300 images)
- Multiple style options
Cons:
- Higher price point
#7 · 6 hours · 8.0/10 · $27 for 50 headshots
AI SuitUp
Affordable large packs
AI SuitUp is budget-friendly and comes with a large batch of images. It ranks lower because results can feel slightly generated.
Pricing starts around $27 for 50 images, which is a good deal for budget-conscious users.
Some outputs still show mild AI artifacts, so it is not the most polished option.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Good quantity for the price
Cons:
- Some AI artifacts visible
- 6-hour wait
#8 · 4 hours · 7.9/10 · $19 for 30 headshots
RealFakePhotos
Natural textures
RealFakePhotos focuses on lighting and skin detail. It is a reliable option but lacks the wardrobe variety of higher-tier tools.
The lighting is softer and more natural than many budget tools.
If you want lots of outfit variety, you will likely prefer the top-tier generators.
Pros:
- Natural lighting
- Affordable entry price
Cons:
- Limited outfit options
#9 · 2 hours · 7.8/10 · $19 for 50 headshots
InstaHeadshots
Quick social media updates
InstaHeadshots is a fast, user-friendly tool that produces usable LinkedIn photos, though it can feel less premium.
It is easy to use and delivers quickly, which is ideal for fast updates.
The results may not meet the bar for executive or C-suite branding.
Pros:
- Fast and easy
- Good value
Cons:
- Less premium quality
- Not ideal for executives
#10 · 3 hours · 7.5/10 · $25 for 40 headshots
DrHeadshot
Style variety
DrHeadshot offers lots of styles and backgrounds, making it a flexible option when you want to test different vibes.
If you are experimenting with different looks, the variety is a plus.
Consistency can lag behind the top three tools.
Pros:
- Wide style variety
- Flexible backgrounds
Cons:
- Inconsistent quality
#11 · 6 hours · 7.2/10 · $15 for 30 headshots
Kiwi Headshots
Newer market entrant
Kiwi Headshots is affordable and improving quickly, but the overall quality still trails the established leaders.
It is a decent budget option if you are experimenting with AI headshots for the first time.
Quality is improving, but it still sits a tier below the established leaders.
Pros:
- Cheapest option
- Good for first-timers
Cons:
- Lower quality than leaders
- 6-hour wait
How to get the best results
- Quantity matters: Upload 12-20 photos that are clear and high-resolution.
- Variety is key: Use different lighting, backgrounds, and facial expressions.
- Face placement: Keep your face 60-75% of the frame for the best likeness.
- What to avoid: Skip sunglasses or hats; include some photos with glasses if you wear them daily.
- Quality in, quality out: Blurry inputs almost always yield blurry outputs.
Most generators follow a similar upload flow, but we found ExecHeadshots and Secta.ai do the best job at preserving your natural features when the inputs are clean.
Why AI beats a photographer (for most people)
A traditional headshot session can cost $300 to $1,000 and take weeks to schedule. AI headshot generators deliver dozens of LinkedIn-ready options in hours for $20-$50. The best tools now look so realistic that most recruiters cannot tell the difference.
For team-wide rollouts, ExecHeadshots is the top pick for consistent, realistic results, and HeadshotPro is a solid alternative for company rollouts.
Technical insights and industry facts
- ProfilePicture.AI has a strict upload process with 20+ photos for the best quality.
- Profile Pic Maker is easier to upload to, but often looks less professional.
- TryItOnAI.com is praised for realism, but downloads can take up to three days.
- Canva offers basic AI shots, but lacks the studio-quality depth of dedicated generators.
- Fiverr is a solid alternative if you want a human editor using AI tools.
Budget-focused users often start with AI SuitUp or Kiwi Headshots, while those who want more variety try DrHeadshots or RealFakePhotos.
My final verdict
After testing all 11 tools with my own photos and money, my recommendation is clear:
- For the best overall results: ExecHeadshots delivered the highest realism and face likeness. Worth the price.
- For the best budget option: Kiwi Headshots at $15 is a good starting point if you're experimenting.
- For teams: ExecHeadshots handles team rollouts well, with HeadshotPro as a solid alternative.
Don't let a bad photo hold back your career. Pick a tool, upload your photos, and update your LinkedIn profile today.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the time and money I invest in testing these tools. All opinions are my own, and I only recommend services I've personally tested.
Written by the Best LinkedIn AI Headshots Team
We're a small team of career coaches, photographers, and tech reviewers who've spent years helping professionals optimize their LinkedIn presence. We test every tool with our own money and photos, so you don't have to.
Questions? Reach out at [email protected]