Best Hairstyle Try On App in 2026: 8 Apps Compared
By ToolNimba Editorial Team November 13, 2026 10 min read
- Top pick
YouCam MakeupOverall AI try-on
Starting priceFreeCheck out YouCam MakeupRead our review - Runner-up
FaceAppQuick photo style tweaks
Starting priceFreeCheck out FaceAppRead our review - Also great
PhotoDirectorTry-on plus photo editing
Starting priceFreeCheck out PhotoDirectorRead our review
How we researched this
We compared official pricing and feature pages, app store listings, privacy policies and public user reviews. Prices change, so check the provider's site before you pay.
Key takeaways
- YouCam Makeup is our pick for most people because it pairs AI hairstyle previews with a wide hair color range on both major phone systems.
- FaceApp suits quick style tweaks on a photo you already like, although its hairstyle range is smaller than a dedicated try-on app.
- PhotoDirector and Fotor are good choices when you also want photo editing, not only a hair preview.
- A preview is a guide, not a promise. Hair texture, length, and salon skill still affect the final result, so save a few images to show your stylist.
Quick comparison
| Name | Best for | Starting price | Free plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall AI try-on | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Quick photo style tweaks | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Try-on plus photo editing | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Browser try-on plus editing | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Simple beauty and hair edits | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Makeup plus hair preview | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Hair color preview | Free | Yes | Visit | |
| Browser try-on with no install | Free | Yes | Visit |
The best hairstyle try on app
A hairstyle try-on app lets you see a cut or color on your own photo before you book a salon visit. AI tools now blend hair more naturally than older sticker-style apps, but results still vary by photo quality, hair texture, and lighting. We compared official app pages, feature pages, and app store listings, and we kept only apps that are still available in 2026.

YouCam Makeup is the strongest all-round try-on app in this list. Its AI hairstyle tool offers many cuts and colors, and it adjusts the preview to your face in the photo, which makes the result look more natural than a fixed overlay. You can try short, long, curly, and straight styles on the same photo.
Hair color is a particular strength. You can pair a cut with a color, from natural browns and blondes to bolder shades, and compare them side by side. That pairing helps when you are deciding on both a cut and a color at once, rather than one change at a time.
The catch is that the free version limits some styles and saves, and very curly or textured hair can give less consistent results. Use a clear, front-facing photo with good light, and save two or three favorites to show your stylist. That step turns a fun preview into a useful salon brief.
- AI hairstyles and colors
- Works on iOS and Android
- Save images for a salon visit
- Full features need a paid plan
- Results vary by hair texture
- Ads and upsells in the free version

FaceApp is best known for photo transformations, and its hairstyle filters fit that quick-edit style. You can change length, add volume, smooth the shape, or preview a new cut on a photo in a few taps. The results often look natural because the app is built for realistic face editing.
The hairstyle library is smaller than YouCam Makeup, with around twenty styles in many guides, so it is less useful for browsing a wide range of cuts. It is better for a quick check of one or two ideas on a photo you already like.
Paid plans add more filters and higher-quality exports, and the free version includes watermarks or limits on some features. Check the privacy settings before you upload photos, and use FaceApp when you want a fast preview, not a full salon planning session.
- Fast, realistic photo edits
- Hairstyle and volume tools
- Simple interface
- Smaller hairstyle library
- Many features need a paid plan
- Privacy settings need a check

PhotoDirector, from CyberLink, is a full photo editor that also includes AI hairstyle previews. That mix suits users who want to try a style and then edit the photo further, with lighting, color, and retouching tools in the same app. The hairstyle range is broad for an editor, with many styles for men and women.
The workflow is simple enough for a quick try-on, but the app has many tools, so it can feel busy if you only want hair. AI generations and premium styles sit on a paid plan, while the free version covers basic editing and some try-on features.
Choose PhotoDirector when you want one app for both hair previews and photo editing. If you only want hair, YouCam Makeup is more focused. Either way, use a clear photo and compare several styles before you decide.
- AI hairstyle tools plus full photo editing
- IOS and Android
- Good export options
- Hair tools are part of a larger editor
- Paid plan needed for full AI use
- Learning curve is higher
Fotor is an online photo editor with an AI hair changer, so you can try a style without installing an app. Upload a photo, choose a hairstyle or color, and see a preview in the browser. That low-friction start is useful for a quick test before a salon visit.
The editing suite around the hair tool is a bonus. You can adjust light, color, and crop, and save the result for sharing or printing. The hair library is smaller than dedicated try-on apps, and busy backgrounds can cause blending errors in some photos.
The free plan covers basic use, while Fotor Pro adds more AI features and exports. Use a plain background and a front-facing photo for the best result, and treat Fotor as a quick browser option rather than a deep salon planner.
- Works in a browser
- AI hair changer
- Full photo editing suite
- Hair style range is smaller
- Background handling can be imperfect
- Paid plan for full AI features
BeautyPlus is a beauty camera and editing app with hair tools alongside makeup and retouching. It suits users who want a quick, shareable preview rather than a detailed salon plan. The interface is simple, and edits can be done in a few taps.
The hair options are limited compared with YouCam Makeup, with a smaller set of styles in many guides. That makes BeautyPlus better for a fun test or a social post than for choosing between many cuts. Color changes are also more basic.
The free version covers core features, while premium tools and exports need a subscription. Use BeautyPlus when you want a fast, light edit, and use a dedicated try-on app when the cut decision matters more than the share.
- Simple interface
- Beauty and hair tools in one app
- Quick sharing
- Hair style range is small
- Results can look filtered
- Many features need a paid plan
Perfect365 is mainly a makeup app, but it includes hair preview tools that let you test a full look, not just a cut. You can pair a hairstyle with makeup shades and see how the whole look works together. That is useful before an event or a photo shoot.
The hair library is smaller than dedicated try-on apps, with a focus on a modest set of styles. If you want to compare many cuts, YouCam Makeup or PhotoDirector will give more choice. If you want to test makeup plus hair together, Perfect365 is a good fit.
The free version covers basic looks, while premium features need a subscription. Use a clear photo, test a few combinations, and save the look you like best. That saved image can help a stylist and makeup artist work from the same brief.
- Makeup and hair in one preview
- Simple to use
- Good for a full look test
- Hair range is limited
- Focus is makeup first
- Paid plan for full features
Style My Hair, from L'Oreal, focuses on hair color rather than cuts. You can try shades from salon ranges and see how a color looks on your photo before you commit to dye. That focus makes it useful when color, not length, is the main decision.
The workflow is color-first. You choose a shade family, preview it, and compare a few options side by side. That is simpler than a full try-on app when you already like your cut and only want to change color.
The limits are style range and region. Cut options are thin, and shade availability can vary by market. Lighting in your photo also affects how a color reads, so test in daylight and in indoor light before you decide. For a color decision, Style My Hair is a focused and useful tool.
- Color-focused previews
- Salon shade ranges
- Simple color-first workflow
- Style range is limited
- Availability varies by region
- Color accuracy depends on lighting
YouCam Online Editor brings the same Perfect Corp AI hair tools to a browser. You upload a photo, try styles and colors, and save the result without installing an app. That is ideal for a quick test on a computer, or for sharing a preview with a stylist by email.
The browser version covers the core try-on job well, with many styles and colors. It does not match the full mobile app for camera previews and some editing tools, and it needs a stable connection for AI processing. Free use may limit exports.
Choose the online editor when you want a fast test with no install, and use the mobile app when you want camera previews on the go. Either way, start with a clear, front-facing photo for the most natural result.
- AI try-on in a browser
- No app install needed
- Same Perfect Corp hair tools
- Needs a good internet connection
- Fewer features than the mobile app
- Export limits on free use
How we picked these
We compared official app pages, feature pages, and app store listings for apps that are still available in 2026. We favored apps with a real try-on feature, not only a filter, and we noted where the free plan ends and paid features begin. We did not claim hands-on testing.
We also kept a mix by use. Some readers want a full AI try-on, some want color only, and some want a browser tool with no install. The list covers each need, with a clear note on where each app is strongest and where it is thin.
What to check before you choose
Start with a good photo. Use a front-facing shot in even light, with your face and shoulders clear and your current hair pulled back if possible. A blurry, side-on, or heavily filtered photo will give a less useful preview in every app on this list.
Next, test several styles on the same photo. A single preview can flatter or mislead, while three or four options show what suits your face shape and hairline. Save the best two or three, and note what you liked about each one.
Finally, take the preview to a stylist as a guide, not as an exact order. Ask whether your hair texture, thickness, and growth pattern can support the style, and how much upkeep it will need. A preview helps the conversation, but a stylist can tell you what will work in real life.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Are hairstyle try-on apps accurate?
They are useful guides, but not exact previews. AI tools blend hair well on clear photos, yet hair texture, thickness, and salon skill still affect the final result. Use several previews and a stylist consult for a big change.
Which app is best for hair color?
YouCam Makeup and Style My Hair are both strong for color, with Style My Hair focused on salon shades. Test colors in different lighting, because a shade can look different in daylight and indoor light.
Do I need to pay for a good try-on?
No, most apps on this list offer a free plan that covers basic try-on. Paid plans add more styles, higher-quality exports, and extra AI generations, which matter more for frequent use than for a single salon decision.
Can I try hairstyles for men and women?
Yes, most apps on this list include styles for men and women, although the range can differ. Check the style library for your gender and hair length before you pay, because some apps are stronger in one area.
Should I show the preview to my stylist?
Yes, save two or three favorite previews and show them at the appointment. Explain what you liked, and ask about upkeep, texture, and whether the style suits your hair type. That conversation prevents most disappointments.




