Lensa AI has exploded in popularity recently thanks to its ability to generate stunning AI avatars from your photos. Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and other platforms are flooded with photorealistic avatar art created through Lensa, with over 26 million images generated in the past 3 months alone.
But with this viral avatar trend showing no signs of slowing down, many are wondering—is Lensa AI free to use? Or do you have to pay?
As a social media marketing expert who has used Lensa AI extensively, I‘ll break down Lensa‘s complete pricing and subscription model in this guide so you know exactly what to expect.
No, Lensa AI is Not Free
The first thing to know upfront: Lensa AI is not free. There are fees associated with using the app:
- A $29.99 USD annual subscription for Lensa AI premium access
- Additional fees per avatar generation (covered next)
Without a subscription, you can‘t generate avatars or access Lensa‘s full features.
However, new users can test drive Lensa free for 1 week through a free trial. I‘ll cover how to activate that shortly.
The Tradeoff of the Subscription Model
The subscription model has its pros and cons. On the plus side, a subscription allows Lensa to continuously update its AI models for better avatar generation.
But requiring a subscription can deter new users who just want to try it out. Services like DALL-E 2 offer free credits for prompt generation.
For power users creating lots of avatars, the fees can add up quickly. Yet the results are often worth it for social media influencers and creators.
Breaking Down Lensa AI‘s Subscription Pricing
Here are the subscription options for unlocking Lensa AI‘s capabilities:
- $29.99 USD per year
- $35.99 USD for 1 year of unlimited access
- $39.99 USD for 1 year of unlimited access
- $49.99 USD for 1 year of unlimited access
The standard $29.99 USD plan is the most popular choice. It removes ads, unlocks all filters and tools, and gives you 50% off avatar generation.
With an active subscription you can cancel anytime. Once it expires, you‘ll lose access to Lensa‘s premium features.
How Lensa AI‘s Pricing Compares
Lensa AI‘s $29.99 USD annual plan is reasonably priced compared to competitors:
- FaceApp: $70.99 USD per year
- Prisma Photo Editor: $35.99 USD per year
Lensa provides exceptional value at its base pricing tier. Their unlimited subscription offers flexibility for high-volume avatar creation.
À La Carte Pricing for Avatar Generation
In addition to the subscription fee, creating avatars costs extra based on how many you generate:
- $3.99 for 50 unique avatars (5 variations of 10 styles)
- $5.99 for 100 unique avatars (10 variations of 10 styles)
- $7.99 for 200 unique avatars (20 variations of 10 styles)
Premium subscribers get a 50% discount on these avatar packs.
Here is an example of the savings:
- Without subscription: 50 avatars = $3.99
- With subscription: 50 avatars = $1.99 (50% off)
You can buy multiple packs to generate more styles. Based on my experience, between 200-400 images provides ample variations for maximizing your avatar content.
Tips for Using Lensa Free
While a subscription is required for the full Lensa experience, you can still use the app free in limited capacity:
- Activate the 1-week free trial to test Lensa (details next)
- Use the free filters on your photos
- Try the basic editing tools to enhance images
- Batch edit multiple photos simultaneously
This gives you a taste of Lensa‘s capabilities. But to unlock the signature avatars, a subscription is a must.
How to Get Lensa‘s 1-Week Free Trial
As mentioned, new Lensa users can access a 1-week free trial before paying. Here‘s how to activate it:
- Download and open the Lensa AI app for the first time
- Go through the onboarding flow
- On the final onboarding screen, enable the "Start 7-day free trial" option
This grants you 1 week of Lensa‘s premium access for free.
If you already finished onboarding, uninstall and reinstall Lensa to get back to this screen.
The free trial lets you test Lensa‘s magic avatars and other features risk-free before paying. After 7 days, you‘ll be charged unless you cancel your subscription.
The Bottom Line
So in summary—no, Lensa AI isn‘t free. But you can try it free or pay just for the avatars you want. Just be aware of the subscription fees or use the 1-week trial to test it out.
With the app‘s viral avatars taking social media by storm, Lensa AI offers an intriguing new way for influencers, creators, and everyday users to showcase themselves online. The pricing model makes the technology accessible to the mainstream.
As an early adopter and social media expert, I‘ve been blown away by Lensa‘s uniquely personal and captivating AI avatar capabilities. With strategic use, it can elevate your brand and social presence to the next level.
