Best Lensa alternatives for AI portraits and avatars on iPhone (2026)
What are the best Lensa alternatives for AI portraits and avatars on iPhone in 2026?
The best Lensa alternatives are Anamur for styled portraits from templates paid with one-time credits, Remini for realistic headshots and photo restoration, Google Gemini for prompt-based trends such as polaroid or figurine portraits, Canva AI Headshots for professional profile photos, and Facetune for retouching selfies. People look beyond Lensa mainly because Magic Avatars are sold per pack on top of its subscriptions, and App Store reviews mention paid avatar sets that never loaded and crashes when saving. Anamur avoids packs and subscriptions: you choose a style template, upload a photo and get a new image, and each generation uses credits bought as one-time purchases. It also has background removal, collages, filters and retouching. All of these tools process your photo on a server and results vary, so review images before you share them.
Disclosure: ODEL makes Anamur. We list other apps on their merits, say where they are the better choice, and link our sources. Store ratings and prices are from the public App Store listing on the date shown.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Price | Store rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anamur (ours) | Styled portraits from templates without packs or a subscription | iOS, Android | Free to download | n/a |
| Remini | Realistic headshots and restoring old photos | iOS, Android | Free to download | 4.6 (358,448 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Google Gemini | Prompt-based trends like polaroid or figurine portraits | iOS, Android, Web | Free to download | 4.7 (2,393,415 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Canva AI Headshots | Professional LinkedIn profile photos | iOS, Android, Web | See website | n/a |
| Facetune | Retouching and relighting selfies rather than new styles | iOS, Android | Free to download | 4.6 (380,934 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
1. Anamur: best for styled portraits from templates without packs or a subscription
Anamur (by ODEL) is best for styled portraits from templates without packs or a subscription. Choose a style template, upload a photo, get a new image; no prompts. Credits per generation, extra credits are one-time purchases. Background removal, collages, filters, presets and retouching. Gallery of creations and saved favourite templates; iPhone and Android. The main limitations: Every generation uses credits; Photos are sent to an AI provider (after your consent); Newer app with few ratings so far.
Why we picked it
- Choose a style template, upload a photo, get a new image; no prompts
- Credits per generation, extra credits are one-time purchases
- Background removal, collages, filters, presets and retouching
- Gallery of creations and saved favourite templates; iPhone and Android
Limitations
- Every generation uses credits
- Photos are sent to an AI provider (after your consent)
- Newer app with few ratings so far
Sources: apps.apple.com
2. Remini: best for realistic headshots and restoring old photos
Remini (by BENDING SPOONS OPERATIONS SPA) is best for realistic headshots and restoring old photos. Top overall AI headshot pick in a 2026 roundup. One-tap enhancement of old, blurry or scratched photos. The main limitations: Premium is a weekly, monthly or yearly subscription; Low-star reviews often cite ads and weekly billing; some results look over-processed.
Why we picked it
- Top overall AI headshot pick in a 2026 roundup
- One-tap enhancement of old, blurry or scratched photos
Limitations
- Premium is a weekly, monthly or yearly subscription
- Low-star reviews often cite ads and weekly billing; some results look over-processed
Sources: theappwhisperer.com, apps.apple.com, unstar.app
3. Google Gemini: best for prompt-based trends like polaroid or figurine portraits
Google Gemini (by Google LLC) is best for prompt-based trends like polaroid or figurine portraits. The Nano Banana model behind the viral photo trends. A free image model, with paid plans for higher limits. Free-form edits: change the background, move or add objects. The main limitations: You have to write or copy prompts; Images carry a visible AI watermark; privacy concerns were raised in coverage of the trend.
Why we picked it
- The Nano Banana model behind the viral photo trends
- A free image model, with paid plans for higher limits
- Free-form edits: change the background, move or add objects
Limitations
- You have to write or copy prompts
- Images carry a visible AI watermark; privacy concerns were raised in coverage of the trend
Sources: gemini.google, storyboard18.com, gulfnews.com
4. Canva AI Headshots: best for Professional LinkedIn profile photos
Canva AI Headshots (by Canva) is best for Professional LinkedIn profile photos. AI headshots aimed at professional portraits. Works inside Canva's design tools. The main limitation: Less experimental styles than avatar apps.
Why we picked it
- AI headshots aimed at professional portraits
- Works inside Canva's design tools
Limitations
- Less experimental styles than avatar apps
Sources: theappwhisperer.com
5. Facetune: best for retouching and relighting selfies rather than new styles
Facetune (by Lightricks Ltd.) is best for retouching and relighting selfies rather than new styles. AI portrait enhancement, relighting and facial refinement. The main limitation: Leans to beauty retouching rather than natural results.
Why we picked it
- AI portrait enhancement, relighting and facial refinement
Limitations
- Leans to beauty retouching rather than natural results
Sources: theappwhisperer.com
How we chose
- Turns your own photo into a new portrait or avatar
- How much effort it takes: templates, one tap or prompts
- Pricing model: packs, subscriptions, credits or free tiers
- Extra editing tools in the same app
- Honest notes on reliability and privacy from reviews and coverage
Questions
Why do people look for Lensa alternatives?
Mostly pricing and reliability: Lensa sells Magic Avatars per pack on top of its subscriptions, and App Store reviews mention paid sets that never loaded and crashes when saving. Anamur uses one-time credits instead; Gemini has a free tier.
Is there a free Lensa alternative?
Google Gemini has a free image model, though you need to write prompts and images are watermarked. Anamur is free to download and uses credits per generation.
Which Lensa alternative is best for a LinkedIn photo?
Canva AI Headshots and Remini are the usual picks for realistic, professional headshots. Anamur and Lensa lean toward styled portraits.
Will the AI portrait look like me?
Not always, in any of these apps. A clear, well-lit photo of your face helps; if a result does not look like you, try another photo or template in Anamur, or another prompt in Gemini.