You know you want to take a photo for your travel document yourself and (ideally) not spend a penny.
But can a free passport photo app live up to its promise?
Well, it can’t.
Biometric photos must meet strict requirements (e.g., size, background), and no free passport photo maker can do it all for you (let alone guarantee your picture will be accepted).
So—
For your convenience, I tested eight premium and free passport photo apps to help you make an informed decision. Read on to find out which software is best!
The apps I’ve reviewed:
- PhotoAiD® [iOS, Android, online]
- PersoFoto [Online]
- Pics4Pass (BioID) [Online]
- Passport Photo—ID Photo [iOS]
- Passport Photo & ID Maker [iOS]
- iVisa Passport Photo [iOS, Android]
- IDPhoto4You [Online]
- ID Photo Application [iOS, Android]
Looking for maximum convenience, expert verification, and a refund policy? Get it all with our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android. Take your biometric passport photo with a seamless three-step process—from home!
Now, let’s review the best passport photo apps.
Top 8 premium & free passport photo apps compared
It’s no surprise that passport photo apps are becoming increasingly popular. After all, we take over 450 selfies a year on average—so we certainly seem to have the required experience to photograph ourselves.
In fact, taking passport photos at home has never been simpler.
All you need is your smartphone and a tool specifically designed to create pictures that comply with the UK passport photo requirements.
Here’s a convenient table comparing the key features of popular passport photo apps, so you can see which one meets your needs.
Comparison table of the best passport photo apps
| Tool | PhotoAiD® | PersoFoto | Pic4Pass | Passport Photo—ID Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User-friendliness | 5/5 ⭐ | 3/5⭐ | 4/5⭐ | 3.5/5⭐ |
| Essential features(cropping, resizing, background removal) | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Compliance check | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Printing service | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Premium plan | GBP 9.95 | $9.75 | ❌ | $6.99 |
| Tool | Passport Photo & ID Maker | iVisa Passport Photo | IDPhoto4You | ID Photo Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| User-friendliness | 4/5⭐ | 3.5⭐ | 2/5⭐ | 3/5⭐ |
| Essential features(cropping, resizing, background removal) | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Compliance check | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Printing service | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Premium plan | $6.99 | $5.89 | ❌ | ❌ |
1. PhotoAiD® [5/5 ⭐]
We can’t rate our own product. But if you’re looking for the best experience and expert results—you shouldn’t scroll past our UK passport photo checker.
Available for iPhone, Android, or online, your passport photos are within easy reach. Convenience aside (it only takes 3 steps to get passport pictures), we guarantee something no free passport photo app will—a 100% acceptance or 200% money-back guarantee.
We’ve helped over 1 million people get their passport and visa photos accepted. Why not add yours to the count?
Why choose PhotoAiD®:
- ✅ Intuitive interface
- ✅ Quick & simple process—get a verified photo in 3 steps!
- ✅ Unlimited attempts at no extra cost
- ✅ Expert verification
- ✅ 24/7 customer support
- ✅ Digital passport photo in 3 minutes
- ✅ Printing service
- ✅ Refund policy
With a solid 4.6⭐ rating on Trustpilot, we’re confident in saying we deliver professional quality you can trust. But you don’t need to take our word for it—we’ll let our reviews do the talking:
Download our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android today to get the perfect passport photo in just a few clicks!
2. PersoFoto
November 2024 update: The tool is no longer available, and it’s unclear whether it’s permanent.Onto the first free passport-size photo maker—PersoFoto, which you can use in your browser.
Although this software’s interface might be a bit dated, the tool does what it promises. You can crop your image to match a predefined size, although the drop-down menu to find a document may get confusing.
It’s a simple app, and the cropping feature is fully manual. Upload an image and align the mask filter (see the visual above) with the outline of your face. Within a few minutes, your passport-size photo should be ready.
But—
Like with all free apps for passport photos, it’s not enough to get an image compliant with UK passport photo guidelines—you need to remove the background yourself. If it’s not a problem for you, do it using this free background remover.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Free✔️ Cropping tool✔️ Printing service (paid) | ❌ Compliance check only available in the paid version❌ No background remover❌ Confusing drop-down menu |
TrustPilot Score: 4.6 (30+ reviews)
Our score: 3⭐
3. Pics4Pass (BioID)
A slightly better (or at least more reliable) option for obtaining passport photos for free is this online passport photo editor. Pics4Pass also won’t remove the background from your image, but it has two features that make it stand out from other free passport photo tools.
Firstly, the cropping process is automatic. Select the document type you require, upload a photo, and wait for the image to be resized. Even better? This German photo maker offers AI verification—the app checks whether your photo meets official requirements. If anything is amiss, you’ll receive recommendations for changes on the screen.
However, the app lacks an acceptance guarantee to prevent your passport photo from being rejected. Additionally, you must register to use Pics4Pass free of charge.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Free✔️ AI verification✔️ Cropping tool✔️ Automatic process | ❌ No background removal❌ Need to create an account (free)❌ No printing service❌ No compliance guarantee |
User ratings: no data
Our score: 4⭐
4. Passport Photo—ID Photo
Do you only need a digital passport photo? This app doesn’t provide printed photos, but you’ll receive your digital image (also suitable for visas or IDs) in just a few clicks.
Cropping is manual, but as long as you follow the on-screen instructions, you’ll be fine. The only drawback I noticed was the intrusive adverts—you can’t skip them, which makes the process take longer.
If you’re not willing to upgrade to premium, you’ll once again need to remove the background of the image yourself. The app also doesn’t include compliance checks or an acceptance guarantee, even for an additional fee.
Pro tip: This free passport photo software allows you to adjust the light exposure and contrast of an image, but we recommend avoiding this. Rules for biometric photos are strict, and such alterations could lead to your passport photo being rejected.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Simple navigation and editing✔️ Cropping tool | ❌ Intrusive ads❌ Background remover only available in the paid version❌ No compliance check❌ No printing service |
TrustPilot Score: 4.7 (4.5k+ reviews)
Our score: 3.5⭐
Download for iOS.
5. Passport Photo & ID Maker
If it’s your first time taking a DIY passport photo, Passport Photo & ID Maker could be worth a try. A modern interface, easy navigation, and examples of passport photos—all designed to make the process more convenient.
Converting your uploaded or taken photo into the correct size won’t be a hassle. Additionally, this free passport photo app includes a large country database, so you don’t need to remember details such as required dimensions or background colour.
You can also order prints in the premium version. However, photos for some document types aren’t available for printing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ User-friendly interface✔️ Cropping tool✔️ No ads | ❌ Background removal only available in the paid version❌ No compliance check❌ Printing service only available in the paid version |
TrustPilot Score: 4.6 (450+ reviews)
Our score: 4⭐
Download for iOS.
6. iVisa Passport Photo
Automatic processing, cropping, expert reviews, and background removal—but not for free. With iVisa (available to both iPhone and Android users), you can easily obtain a digital passport picture.Yet, you can’t preview the image before making a purchase. Considering it’s a premium tool, I find this to be an issue.
It’s worth noting that with this app, you can only take selfie-style pictures. If you need a photo for your passport, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, taking pictures of your child or an elderly family member could prove difficult.
The biggest downside?Before using this passport photo booth, you must submit your contact details (phone number and email). This could be a deal-breaker if you’re unsure about using the service, as you’ll likely receive several emails reminding you to complete your order (as I did during testing).
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Pleasant interface & easy navigation✔️ Compliance guarantee✔️ Money-back policy (but no details)✔️ Automatic process | ❌ Only selfie-style photos❌ Need to provide contact details upfront❌ Can’t preview the final picture before purchase |
TrustPilot Score: 4.8 (1.7k+ reviews)
Our score: 3.5⭐
Download for iPhone or Android.
7. IDPhoto4You
IDPhoto4You is another completely free passport photo app that allows you to resize an uploaded image. However, the advantages end there (especially as no online reviews are available to confirm its reliability).
When it comes to an acceptance guarantee, you’re on your own. The website clearly states that it takes no responsibility if your photo is rejected, and you must agree to this in its terms and conditions before uploading an image.
Cropping in the free version is manual and somewhat confusing. The instructions on adjusting the green rectangles are clear, but no matter which photo I uploaded, aligning them correctly proved impossible.
Even if you manage to resize your passport photo successfully, it won’t be suitable for online applications (as no digital image is provided). The app only offers passport photo templates for you to print yourself, which can be downloaded after a 70-second wait.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Free✔️ Cropping tool | ❌ Dated interface❌ Manual process❌ Inaccurate cropping tool❌ No background remover❌ No digital photo available❌ No compliance guarantee |
User ratings: no data
Our score: 2⭐
8. ID Photo Application
A free passport photo app with a cropping tool and background remover? We found one—but it’s not without flaws.
To begin with, you need to know the exact passport photo size requirements beforehand.
And the background remover? It works, but using the magic tool to erase the backdrop is rather hit-and-miss. During my test, I had to repeat the process several times (with a 30-second advert between each attempt), and even then, the tool failed to produce an acceptable white background.
As with other free passport photo apps, no compliance check or acceptance guarantee is provided.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✔️ Cropping tool✔️ Background remover | ❌ Manual tools❌ No compliance check❌ Intrusive ads❌ No document-specific size database |
Google Play Score: 4.7 (133k reviews)
Our score: 3⭐Download for iPhone or Android.
Tips for taking passport photos at home
Whichever free passport picture app you choose to use, the most crucial point is knowing how to take the right photo.
To maximise your chances of your passport application getting approved, follow these photo tips:
- Background: Since most apps won’t remove the background for you, take a picture in front of a white or off-white wall.
- Smile: Smiling in passport photos isn’t allowed in the UK. Keep a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and eyes open.
- Clothing: Avoid light-coloured clothing and camouflage patterns.
- Hair: Ensure the oval of your face is clearly visible and your eyebrows aren’t obstructed.
- Glasses: Wearing prescription glasses is allowed only if you can’t remove them for medical reasons. In such a case, note that the glasses can’t be tinted, obstruct your eyes, or cause reflections.
Pro Tip: Need a photo for your child’s passport? Baby passport photo requirements differ slightly from those for adults. See our tips for making the photo-taking process easier.
No time to take photos or unsure whether you meet all the requirements? Let us handle it. Use our UK passport photo checker to conveniently get a high-quality passport photo for your official document in just 3 minutes. Our biometric photo experts will ensure it meets all guidelines—or you’ll get your money back.
Summary
We take biometric photos out of necessity rather than enjoyment. It’s no surprise you want to save a few quid on pictures you don’t need and may not even like. But—
A ‘free’ price tag often comes with a catch—and this is certainly true for free passport photo editors.
As highlighted in my reviews, such software won’t produce compliant passport photos, as they simply lack the necessary features (e.g., background removal). So, in the end, you’d likely have to spend a considerable amount of time tinkering with various editing tools to meet different passport photo requirements.
And still face the risk of your photo being rejected.
Consider your options and choose the best passport photo app to save both time and money!
FAQ
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Sylwia is a skilled writer with a BA in English Studies and an active SPJ member. For nearly three years now, she’s been writing captivating articles for international companies, turning her lifelong passion into a career.
