7 Best Passport Photo Apps in 2026
We tested the top passport photo apps for iPhone and Android to find which ones actually produce compliant photos—and which charge too much for basic AI features. Here's what we found after comparing prices, accuracy, and real user results.
Quick Answer: Best Passport Photo App 2026
For most users, 1 Dollar Passport Photo offers the best value—same AI technology as $14 premium apps at a fraction of the price. If you want human review for peace of mind, PhotoAiD ($13.95) is the premium choice.
| Best Overall | 1 Dollar Passport Photo ($1) |
| Best Premium | PhotoAiD ($13.95) |
| Best Free | Passport Photo Booth (with ads) |
| Best for Visas | iVisa Photos ($5.99) |
How We Tested These Apps
We evaluated each passport photo app based on five criteria that matter for real-world use:
- ✓ Background removal accuracy—Can the AI cleanly remove complex backgrounds?
- ✓ Compliance checking—Does it verify head size, eye position, and lighting?
- ✓ Ease of use—How many taps from photo to finished product?
- ✓ Print quality—Does the output actually look professional when printed?
- ✓ Value for money—Is the price justified by the features?
The 7 Best Passport Photo Apps Ranked
Pros
- + Cheapest option at just $1
- + AI background removal works from any location
- + Instant compliance checking before payment
- + Privacy-focused: photos never leave your device
- + Supports 100+ document types worldwide
Cons
- - No human review option
- - Fewer obscure document types than premium apps
Verdict: Best value for most users. Same AI technology as expensive apps at a fraction of the price. Perfect for US passports, visas, and common international documents.
Pros
- + Human expert review included
- + 200% money-back guarantee
- + Supports 200+ document types
- + 30+ million users worldwide
Cons
- - Expensive at $13.95 per photo
- - Human review adds processing time
- - Overkill for standard US passports
Verdict: Premium option with human review. Worth considering for obscure document types or if you want maximum peace of mind, but 14x more expensive than alternatives.
Pros
- + Mid-range pricing
- + Good mobile app experience
- + Digital + print options
- + Supports many countries
Cons
- - Still 7x more expensive than budget options
- - Some users report inconsistent quality
Verdict: Decent middle-ground option, but the price premium over $1 alternatives is hard to justify for standard passport photos.
iVisa Photos
Pros
- + Integrated with iVisa visa application service
- + Good for travel visa photos
- + Clean interface
Cons
- - Primarily focused on visa applications
- - Less competitive for just photo creation
- - Upsells visa processing services
Verdict: Best if you're also using iVisa for visa applications. Otherwise, there are cheaper dedicated photo apps.
Passport Photo Booth
Pros
- + Free version available
- + Basic functionality works well
- + Offline capable
Cons
- - Ad-heavy free version
- - Background removal less accurate
- - Fewer compliance checks
Verdict: Decent free option if you're willing to deal with ads. Paid version removes ads but at $4.99, there are better choices.
ID Photo
Pros
- + Free to try
- + Simple interface
- + Works offline
Cons
- - Watermark on free version
- - Manual background removal required
- - Limited document presets
Verdict: Basic app that gets the job done, but manual background removal is tedious compared to AI-powered alternatives.
Biometric Passport Photo
Pros
- + Low price point
- + Biometric compliance focus
- + Multiple print layouts
Cons
- - Dated interface
- - Background removal hit-or-miss
- - Limited updates
Verdict: Budget option that works but feels outdated. The $2 savings vs. premium $1 alternatives isn't worth the trade-offs.
Quick Comparison Table
| App | Price | AI Background | Human Review | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Dollar Passport Photo | $1 | ✓ | ✗ | ★ 4.8 |
| PhotoAiD | $13.95 | ✓ | ✓ | ★ 4.8 |
| Passport Photo Online | $6.95 | ✓ | ✗ | ★ 4.7 |
| iVisa Photos | $5.99 | ✓ | ✗ | ★ 4.5 |
| Passport Photo Booth | Free (ads) / $4.99 | ~ | ✗ | ★ 4.3 |
| ID Photo | Free (watermark) / $3.99 | ~ | ✗ | ★ 4.2 |
| Biometric Passport Photo | $2.99 | ~ | ✗ | ★ 4.0 |
What to Look for in a Passport Photo App
Not all passport photo apps are created equal. Here's what actually matters when choosing one:
AI Background Removal
The best apps use machine learning to remove your background and replace it with compliant white or off-white. This means you can take your photo anywhere—no white wall needed. Apps without this feature require careful setup, which leads to more rejections.
Automatic Compliance Checking
US passport photos have specific requirements: head must be 1-1⅜ inches, eyes between 1⅛ and 1⅜ inches from bottom, centered in frame. Good apps check these automatically and warn you before you pay. Apps without compliance checking are gambling with your application.
Print-Ready Output
You need a 4×6 inch file with multiple 2×2 inch photos arranged for printing at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart. Some apps only give you a single digital photo, which costs more to print and wastes paper.
Do You Need Human Review?
Premium apps like PhotoAiD ($13.95) include human expert review. This adds a layer of verification but also adds cost and processing time. For standard US passports and visas, modern AI catches 99%+ of issues—making human review largely unnecessary. It's mainly valuable for obscure document types where AI training data is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free passport photo app?
For truly free options, Passport Photo Booth offers basic functionality with ads. However, most "free" apps have limitations like watermarks or poor background removal. Paying $1 for a quality app is usually worth it—you avoid the hassle and get a guaranteed compliant photo.
Can I take my own passport photo with an app?
Yes, modern passport photo apps use AI to handle background removal, face detection, and compliance checking. You can take a photo anywhere with your smartphone, and the app will process it to meet official requirements. This is now accepted by the US State Department.
Are passport photo apps accepted by the State Department?
Yes, the US State Department accepts digital passport photos created with apps, as long as they meet the official requirements for size, background, lighting, and head positioning. Quality apps automatically ensure compliance before you pay.
What makes a passport photo app good?
The best passport photo apps have: (1) AI-powered background removal that works from any location, (2) automatic compliance checking against official requirements, (3) proper sizing for your document type, and (4) print-ready output formats. Price matters less than accuracy.
Is PhotoAiD worth $14?
PhotoAiD is a legitimate service with human review, but for standard US passports and visas, the AI technology in $1-$7 apps produces equally compliant photos. The 14x price difference only makes sense for obscure documents or maximum peace of mind.
Can I print passport photos from an app at CVS or Walgreens?
Yes, all quality passport photo apps give you a printable 4×6 file with multiple photos. Upload this to CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart photo centers and print for about $0.35. This DIY approach saves $10-15 vs. in-store passport photo services.
The Bottom Line
After testing seven passport photo apps, the conclusion is clear: you don't need to spend $14 for a passport photo app. Modern AI handles background removal, face detection, and compliance checking just as well in $1 apps as in premium alternatives.
The main reason to pay more is human review—and for standard US passports, visas, and green cards, that's overkill. Save your money for the actual passport fees.
Our recommendation: Start with 1 Dollar Passport Photo for the best value. If you have an obscure document type or want maximum peace of mind, PhotoAiD's human review might be worth the premium.
Related Guides
Skip the $14 Premium Apps
Get the same AI-powered passport photo for $1. Background removal, compliance checking, and print-ready output included.
Get Started
Select country and document type
Only $1 - Free preview before payment
Works for US passport, visa, green card, and 100+ other documents