A free AI headshot generator that's actually free to try.

Search for a free AI headshot generator and you'll find two kinds of tools: the ones that ask for your card 'just in case', and the ones that give you a blurred, watermarked postage stamp unless you pay. This page is the third kind — the honest version of free, from the studio that builds the tool.

Every new Darkroom AI Studio account gets 5 credits. No card, no auto-renew, nothing to cancel. That's five real renders on the same pipeline paying members use — full look tests you can download and actually use.

01

What you get free — the honest version

The free tier is a trial you can genuinely judge the product on, not a teaser. Five credits is enough to run the set check, try two or three different lighting packs, and still have a credit or two left for a ✨ Darkroom Finish enhancement pass.

One thing to know up front: the five credits are a one-off allowance per person, not a monthly refill. Every render costs us real compute, so we protect the free tier with device signals instead of watering it down. When your five are spent, Pro or a small top-up takes over — or you can tell us what you're trying to achieve and we'll consider another five on us.

  • 5 credits on signup — no card, no auto-renew, nothing to cancel
  • Set check, shot briefs and the AI Prompt Writer are free and unlimited
  • Look test = 1 credit, Darkroom Finish = 2 — you choose how to spend the five
  • Same render quality as paid members — the free tier is the real product
02

Your first free headshot in four steps

Sign up with an email, then upload 2–6 clear photos of your face. A phone camera and a window is enough — the reference photo guide has the full checklist, and your photos never leave your browser except for the check or render you trigger.

Run the free set check: the AI grades every frame for light, angle and sharpness, and names the photos dragging the set down. Then open a pack — Boardroom for LinkedIn, Golden hour for something warmer, Safelight noir for drama — or describe the shot in plain English. One click, about 15 seconds, and your first look test is ready to download.

03

Why most 'free' tools aren't

The pattern is usually the same: 'free' means a card on file, a watermark across your face, or a preview so small you can't judge the likeness. We went the other way — a smaller number of renders, but complete ones. If five honest photos tell you the tool works, the upgrade decision makes itself; if they don't, no watermark was going to convince you either.

04

When five isn't enough

If you burn through the trial and want more, Pro is A$20 a month for 100 credits with rollover, and one-off top-ups add 25 credits for A$4, 50 for A$7 or 100 for A$12. Still deciding? Every account can ask once for a bonus five — tell us what you're trying to achieve and we'll happily consider it.

Questions

Asked and answered.

Are AI headshots really free here?

Yes — every account gets 5 credits with no card required. A look test costs 1 credit and a Darkroom Finish costs 2, so the five stretch across several renders. It's a one-off trial allowance rather than an unlimited free tool, and we'd rather say that plainly than watermark your photos.

How do I get a free AI headshot?

Create a free account, upload 2–6 photos of your face, run the free set check, then pick a lighting pack or describe your shot. The render takes about 15 seconds and downloads straight from the browser.

Do I need a credit card for the free trial?

No. There's no card field in the signup flow at all. You'll only ever pay if you choose Pro or a top-up after your free credits are spent.

Why only five free renders?

Each render costs real compute, so an unlimited free tier would either drown in abuse or arrive watermarked and blurred. Five complete renders is the most we can give away honestly — one allowance per person, protected by device signals so it stays fair.

Can I use my free headshots on LinkedIn?

Yes. Renders are yours to download and use for profiles, portfolios and socials — the free credits produce the same output as paid ones. Our Terms of Service cover the details, including the 18+ requirement.

Keep reading

See it on your own face.

Five free credits, no card. Run the set check, load a pack, and render your first look test in about 15 seconds.