You need a professional headshot for LinkedIn, but photographers charge $300+. What if you could get the same quality for free using AI?
The good news: several AI headshot generators offer free trials or free tiers. The bad news: most are terrible. Low resolution, obvious AI artifacts, or watermarks that scream "I didn't pay for this."
We tested every free option to find which ones actually deliver professional results.
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Best Free Trial: Percify (50 Free Headshots)
Free Tier: 50 generations, no credit card required
Percify offers the most generous free trial in the industry. You get 50 full-resolution, professional-quality headshots without entering payment info.
What Makes Percify's Free Tier Special:
- ✅ No Watermarks: Unlike competitors, your images are clean
- ✅ High Resolution: Full 4K export, suitable for printing
- ✅ Multiple Backgrounds: Office, studio grey, outdoor, solid colors
- ✅ Fast Generation: 30-60 seconds per headshot
- ✅ Commercial Rights: Use for LinkedIn, resume, company website
How to Use Percify Free:
- Sign up at percify.io (no credit card)
- Upload 10-15 selfies (different angles and expressions)
- Select "Professional Headshot" style
- Generate and download your favorites
The Catch: After 50 images, you need to upgrade to $29/mo. But 50 is enough to create multiple variations and pick your best one.
Get 50 professional headshots free
No credit card. No watermarks. LinkedIn-ready quality.
Start Free Trial →Best Free App: Remini
Free Tier: 5 AI headshots per day
Remini is a mobile app that started as a photo enhancer but now offers AI headshots. The free tier gives you 5 generations daily.
Pros:
- ✅ Truly free (ad-supported)
- ✅ Mobile-first (iOS and Android)
- ✅ Decent quality for social media
Cons:
- ❌ Low resolution (not suitable for printing)
- ❌ Limited background options
- ❌ Ads between generations
- ❌ Can look "over-smoothed"
Free vs Paid: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Free Tools | Paid Tools ($29/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1024x1024 | 4K (4096x4096) |
| Realism | Good | Excellent |
| Backgrounds | 2-3 options | 10+ options |
| Watermarks | Often yes | No |
| Generation Speed | Slow (queue) | Fast (priority) |
| Commercial Use | Sometimes restricted | Included |
Tips for Getting Professional Results (Free or Paid)
1. Upload Quality Selfies
The AI can only work with what you give it. Use:
- Natural lighting (window light is best)
- Multiple angles (front, slight left, slight right)
- Different expressions (smile, serious, neutral)
- No sunglasses, hats, or filters
2. Choose the Right Background
For LinkedIn and corporate use, stick with:
- Studio grey (most professional)
- Blurred office background
- Solid neutral colors (navy, charcoal)
3. Dress Professionally in Your Selfies
The AI will try to add a suit, but it works better if you're already wearing business attire in your upload photos.
4. Generate Multiple Variations
Don't settle for the first result. Generate 5-10 variations and pick the most natural-looking one.
Can Recruiters Tell It's AI?
Honest answer: In 2025, AI headshots from tools like Percify are indistinguishable from studio photography. The technology has advanced to the point where skin texture, lighting, and facial features look completely natural.
However, there are telltale signs of bad AI headshots:
- ❌ Over-smoothed skin (looks like a wax figure)
- ❌ Weird hands or jewelry artifacts
- ❌ Inconsistent lighting
- ❌ Background that doesn't make sense
If you use a quality tool and pick a natural-looking result, no one will know.