Honest Comparison
2026 quick summary
Short answer: Dreamwave makes competent AI headshots. But in a market with free options delivering comparable quality, 'competent' isn't enough to justify paying $19 unless you have a specific reason to prefer Dreamwave's style.
Dreamwave entered the AI headshot market with clean branding and professional positioning. I tested their output against TrendAvatar to see if they bring anything new to the table or if they're just another face in an increasingly crowded market.
| Category | TrendAvatar | Dreamwave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ✅ Free to try | ⚠️ $19 for 40 headshots (no free tier) |
| Photo requirement | ✅ 1 selfie | ⚠️ 8-10 photos recommended |
| Output quality | ✅ Natural, professional | ✅ Good quality — on par with competitors |
Dreamwave produces good headshots. But so do 15 other AI headshot tools. The market has reached a point where 'good enough' quality is table stakes — what differentiates tools now is price, convenience, and privacy. Dreamwave doesn't lead on any of these dimensions. It's a perfectly fine tool in a market where 'perfectly fine' is the minimum bar.
Dreamwave makes competent AI headshots. But in a market with free options delivering comparable quality, 'competent' isn't enough to justify paying $19 unless you have a specific reason to prefer Dreamwave's style.
Quality-wise, they're comparable. Price-wise and convenience-wise, TrendAvatar wins — it's free and needs only 1 selfie.