InstaHeadshots vs. Dreamwave: Best AI Headshot Generator in 2025

Which AI headshot app delivers the most realistic results—faster?

Your headshot is often your first impression—on LinkedIn, your resume, or anywhere your personal brand lives online. And with today’s attention spans being short, a polished professional image can open doors.

Getting the best professional headshot used to mean squeezing in time, shelling out hundreds of dollars, and sitting through awkward photoshoots. Not anymore.

AI-generated headshots are changing the game. Tools like InstaHeadshots and Dreamwave now deliver studio-quality portraits without the cost, hassle, or studio session.

But if you’re trying to decide between the two, it comes down to this: Which one delivers headshots that actually look like you—realistic, polished, and ready to use? Let’s break it down.

TL;DR: 

InstaHeadshots is the best AI headshot generator in 2025 for people who want professional-looking headshots and a quick turnaround time. It beats Dreamwave with more realistic results, stronger facial accuracy, and faster delivery (just 15 minutes vs. 1–2 hours). 

InstaHeadshots also holds the highest rating on Trustpilot (4.9/5 from 3.1K reviews), far ahead of Dreamwave, which has just 3 reviews and a 2.8/5 rating. Dreamwave offers solid customization, but its results are less consistent. For headshots that actually look like you, InstaHeadshots is the better choice.

Why AI headshots are becoming more popular

Remote work, virtual networking, and personal branding have made professional photos more important than ever. But traditional studio shoots take time, cost hundreds, and aren’t always accessible.

That’s where artificial intelligence (AI) steps in.

In 2023, the AI image generator market reached $336.3 million, with projections to hit $1.4 billion by 2032. These tools are changing how people get high-quality headshots by offering a faster, more affordable option—no studio needed. 

Instead of booking a photographer, you upload a few selfies. The AI algorithms generate dozens of professional images that match your goals. As technology improves, results are starting to match traditional photography in quality without the high cost or hassle.

AI Headshots vs. Traditional Portraits

Let’s be honest, unless you’re prepping for a magazine cover or need high-end editorial shots, AI headshots now do 90% of what you’d get at a traditional studio—for 10% of the effort. 

Traditional portrait sessions typically cost $150–$370 per hour, require advance booking, and often mean traveling to a studio. You might wait a week or more to get your headshots, and you’ll walk away with just a few final shots, usually in one outfit and setting.

AI headshots flip that model on its head. You upload a few casual selfies, and within minutes, you get dozens (or hundreds) of professional-looking headshots customized to your style, without stepping outside your home.

Sure, there’s still a place for photographers, especially for branded campaigns or editorial shoots. But for everyday use on LinkedIn, resumes, team bios, and social media? AI headshots are faster, easier, and more than good enough.

Who Should Use an AI Headshot?

AI headshots are a smart solution for anyone who wants to improve their online presence without the time or expense of a photoshoot. They're especially useful for:

• Job seekers: Make a strong impression on LinkedIn and job boards.
• Entrepreneurs: Build a credible image across your website, social media, and pitch decks.
• Freelancers and content creators: Present yourself professionally without hiring a photographer.
• Remote teams: Maintain consistent bios across company websites, Slack, Microsoft Teams, directories, and sales materials.
• Students: Enhance resumes, portfolios, or professional profiles without a significant investment.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison: InstaHeadshots vs Dreamwave

To see how these tools stack up, we’ll compare InstaHeadshots and Dreamwave across the features that matter most: photo quality, customization, ease of use, speed, pricing, privacy, and overall experience.

Realism & Photo Quality

Realism is what separates a good AI headshot from a bad one. InstaHeadshots leads in this category, consistently producing realistic headshots with sharp clarity, accurate skin tones, natural facial expressions, and lifelike facial features. 

Its AI model is trained on millions of real human portraits, which helps it capture unique details like curls, beards, or ethnic features. The default AI headshot size is 1024 x 1024, which ensures your headshots look crisp across online profiles, social media, and business cards. 

Dreamwave also delivers high-quality AI photos. Its proprietary algorithm, developed by MIT and Google AI experts, ensures lifelike AI portraits with customizable outfits, hairstyles, and backgrounds. However, some images may appear blurry or overly smoothed (especially when viewed up close), which can reduce realism. 

Style & Ability To Customize

InstaHeadshots offers up to 40 different styles designed to fit a variety of professional needs. You can choose from business casual, formal, or creative looks and customize your headshots by editing outfits, changing backgrounds, or adjusting poses to get the exact shot you want. This level of control delivers versatile results that work well for LinkedIn, resumes, or social media. The final photos accurately reflect glasses, facial hair, and other personal features. 

Dreamwave also includes customization options like different outfits, hairstyles, and backgrounds. However, its style variety can feel more limiting, especially for creative professionals or teams seeking distinct professional looks. Since you can’t choose your style up front, results may feel inconsistent or too casual for business use.

Ease of Use & Photo Upload Process

InstaHeadshots is built to be easy from the start. After signing up, you upload 10 photos or selfies with varied lighting, backgrounds, and angles. You’ll also answer a few quick questions like gender, ethnicity, and age. A sidebar walks you through the ideal photo setup to help you get the best results. 

Once you submit your photos, the platform handles the rest and emails you when your headshots are ready.

Dreamwave also offers a simple upload process. You only need five selfies, and the drag-and-drop interface makes setup quick. There’s little to no learning curve, but users should expect a longer wait before their headshots are ready.

Turnaround Time

Speed matters, especially if you need a quick refresh before a meeting, presentation, or new opportunity.

InstaHeadshots delivers up to 200 headshots in just 15 minutes, making it one of the fastest AI generators available. That kind of quick turnaround is a major advantage for professionals who don’t want to wait around.

Dreamwave takes longer, with typical delivery times between one and two hours for up to 300 headshots. While the higher output may appeal to some users, the slower processing can be a drawback if you’re working against the clock or just want faster results.

Pricing & Packages

InstaHeadshots offers three plans based on the number of headshots, style variety, and delivery time:

• Starter ($49): 40 HD headshots in 2 styles, delivered in 90 minutes
• Basic ($59): 100 HD headshots in 5 styles, delivered in 60 minutes
• Premium ($69): 200 HD headshots in 10 styles, delivered in just 15 minutes 

All plans include a 100% money-back guarantee. If you’re unhappy with the results, you can request a full refund. 

Dreamwave also offers three plans. The entry point is lower, but the premium tier is more expensive:

• Starter ($35): 75 photos in 8 outfits and 8 backdrops
• Standard ($59): 150 photos in 10 outfits and 10 backdrops, and 1 free redo
• Best Value ($99): 300 photos in 15 outfits and 10 backdrops, 2 free redos, and unlimited human touchups 

Dreamwave also offers a few spots each day for its free AI headshot generator, but they fill up very quickly, usually within a minute or two. The platform also doesn’t offer refunds, citing high hardware costs for generating images.

Privacy and Security Features

InstaHeadshots takes data privacy seriously. It uses best-in-class encrypted infrastructure and a passwordless login system to protect user information. You can delete your uploaded photos and generated headshots at any time, and all data is automatically deleted after 30 days. The platform doesn’t sell, share, or advertise your data—your likeness remains private.

Dreamwave also emphasizes security. It offers a 30-day auto-deletion policy and allows users to delete photos manually at any time. While privacy is clearly a priority, the platform provides fewer public details about its data handling practices.

Mobile vs. Desktop Experience

InstaHeadshots is fully optimized for mobile and desktop. Its responsive interface makes it easy to upload selfies, preview styles, and download your headshots on any device (iOS and Android), whether you’re using a phone, tablet, or computer.

Dreamwave is web-based and accessible across devices, but it lacks a dedicated mobile app. For mobile-first users or professionals managing tasks on the go, this can be a noticeable drawback.

User Reviews & Feedback

Real user experiences offer helpful insight into how these platforms perform in real-world scenarios. Both platforms have strong followings, but InstaHeadshots consistently earns higher marks for reliability, support, and overall experience.

InstaHeadshots: Why Customers Love It

InstaHeadshots holds a 4.9/5 rating on Trustpilot and has delivered over 15 million professional headshots. Users often praise the platform’s speed, image quality, and ease of use, with many genuinely impressed by how natural the results look. 

The generous refund policy and fast, friendly support team also help build trust. While a few users wish for more editing tools, most say InstaHeadshots nails the balance of speed, quality, and simplicity.

Dreamwave: User Experience

Dreamwave is well-liked by users seeking creative flexibility, especially those who want a range of outfits, backdrops, and hairstyles. However, many mention frustration with the longer wait times and say the quality of the headshots can be a hit or miss. Some photos look great, while others feel overly smoothed or slightly off. 

The lack of a refund policy is a common complaint, even though premium plans offer redos and human touch-ups. Reviews of customer support are mixed, but the platform still attracts users who value high image volume and variety.

Key Considerations When Choosing an AI Headshot Generator

Not sure which tool is right for you? Use this quick checklist to see which option fits your needs best.

What Is Your Primary Use Case?

Think about where your headshots will appear. Realistic and professional-looking results matter if you’re updating a LinkedIn profile picture, applying for jobs, or adding a polished photo to your company website. 

InstaHeadshots is designed to deliver clean, business-ready headshots that enhance your online presence. Dreamwave can work for more casual or creative settings but may require multiple tries to get a photo that feels truly right.

How Important Is Speed?

If you're on a deadline or prepping for an event, waiting 1–2 hours can be a dealbreaker. InstaHeadshots delivers images in as little as 15 minutes, making it ideal for last-minute updates or tight turnaround times. 

Dreamwave's slower processing time might not work when time is limited.

What Level of Quality Are You Expecting?

If photorealism matters to you—and for most professionals, it should—you want headshots that actually look like you. InstaHeadshots stands out here, offering consistent results with natural lighting and detailed facial accuracy. 

Dreamwave offers more creative flexibility, like different outfits and backgrounds, but the tradeoff is consistency. You might receive 300 images, but if only 10 actually look usable, that’s not flexibility, it’s frustration. Sorting through blurry, overly smoothed, or oddly rendered photos can waste your time and leave you unsure of what’s worth sharing.

Does the Cost and Learning Curve Align With Your Priorities?

InstaHeadshots offers strong value: high-quality, realistic headshots paired with a simple, guided experience. Even first-time users find it easy to navigate. With plans starting at $49 and a full money-back guarantee, it’s a low-risk option with a high return. 

Dreamwave is competitively priced, especially at the entry-level, but the lack of refunds and less predictable results might not justify the cost for some users.

Visual Comparison: Side-by-Side Output 

Final Verdict: Which Tool Is Better For You?

Both InstaHeadshots and Dreamwave offer strong AI headshot generation, but they serve slightly different needs. Dreamwave may fit the bill if you’re after creative variety and don’t mind a longer wait. 

But for most professionals, InstaHeadshots is the better all-around choice. It delivers studio-quality results with faster turnaround, more realistic images, and a broader range of professional styles, all backed by a satisfaction guarantee.

Join Other Professionals Choosing InstaHeadshots for Their AI Headshots

InstaHeadshots makes high-quality headshots fast, accessible, and affordable. With a user-friendly platform, 15-minute delivery, and a wide range of polished styles, it’s trusted by over 150,000 professionals to elevate their digital presence. 

Whether you're applying for a new role, updating your website, or refreshing your profile, InstaHeadshots gives you results that reflect your best, most confident self. No studio. No awkward posing. Just real, professional headshots, ready in minutes.

Try InstaHeadshots today and see why it’s the #1 choice for professionals who want to look credible, confident, and camera-ready.