Reface
300 million downloads deep into being the internet's default face-swap app — with a subscription structure and a biometric data question worth understanding before one selfie.
What is Reface?
Reface was built by RefaceAI, formerly known as Neocortext Inc., a Ukrainian technology company founded in 2011 and based in Kyiv. The Reface app itself launched in 2020 and went viral almost immediately, growing into what's widely considered the most recognized name in consumer face-swap technology, with more than 300 million downloads across its product suite. The core idea is simple: upload a single selfie, and GAN-based deep learning combined with face tracking maps your features onto a trending video, GIF, meme, or movie clip in seconds, with results that hold up impressively well for short clips.
The app has grown well past pure face-swapping since launch. AI Avatars turn a selfie into stylized portraits across dozens of art styles, Restyle applies artistic filters ranging from Renaissance painting effects to decade-specific aesthetics, and Photo Animation adds lip-sync and motion to a still image. Specialized extras include hairstyle try-on, AI headshot generation, age progression, and a Future Baby Generator that blends two faces. Reviewers consistently flag two things worth knowing plainly before you dive in: a subscription structure that varies enough between weekly, monthly, and annual options — and across different reported prices — that it's genuinely easy to end up paying more than you meant to, and a real biometric privacy trade-off, since face-swap apps by their nature process and store facial data. It's also worth being aware that face-swapping other real people without their consent can raise genuine privacy, publicity, and even legal issues depending on your jurisdiction and how the result is used — the legality rests on how the tool is used, not the technology itself.
Company history is drawn from ToolChase's 2026 review and Reface's own public materials. The privacy and pricing-complexity concerns reflect a consistent pattern across multiple independent reviews (Fritz.ai, ToolChase), not a single isolated complaint.
Key features
Face swap in video & GIFs
Insert your face into a huge library of trending templates from a single selfie.
AI Avatars
Transforms a selfie into stylized portraits across dozens of illustrated and cinematic styles.
Restyle filters
Applies artistic transformations, from Renaissance painting effects to decade-specific looks.
Photo Animation
Brings a still photo to life with lip-sync and subtle motion effects.
Hairstyle try-on
Preview different hairstyles on your own photo before committing to a real change.
Upload your own source material
Face-swap or animate a photo or GIF you supply yourself, not just Reface's template library.
Pricing
Free
- Limited template access
- Watermarks on exported content
- Good for casual, occasional use
Weekly / Monthly
- Unlimited swaps, no watermark or ads
- Multiple price points reported depending on app store and region
- Weekly plans can add up quickly for regular use
Annual
- Generally the better value if you'll use it regularly
- Reported figures vary significantly across sources
- Includes priority processing on some tiers
Pricing has been reported inconsistently across app stores and independent reviews — figures here span the range found across multiple sources rather than one confirmed rate. Check the exact price shown in-app for your region and billing cycle before subscribing, and watch for auto-renewal terms.
Available models
Integrations & platforms
Pros, cons & best for
Pros
- Genuinely fast, polished results from just one selfie
- Huge trending template library for quick, shareable content
- Broad feature set beyond just face swapping (avatars, restyle, animation)
Cons
- Subscription pricing is genuinely confusing and easy to overpay on
- Real biometric privacy trade-offs inherent to the technology
- Face-swapping others without consent can raise legal and ethical issues
Best for
- Casual, entertainment-focused social media content
- Quick, shareable memes and short-form video for personal use
- Not a professional or production-grade creative tool
Take a look inside
Alternatives
For deeper photo editing beyond face swapping specifically:
Our verdict
Reface earned its place as the most recognized name in consumer face-swap technology honestly — the results are genuinely fast and polished for short-form content, and the feature set has grown well beyond a novelty into a broader entertainment app. What keeps it from scoring higher is exactly what multiple independent reviews keep flagging: a subscription structure that's more confusing than it needs to be, and a biometric privacy trade-off that's worth actually thinking through rather than accepting by default when you upload a selfie. For casual, personal entertainment content, it remains genuinely fun and effective; just read the subscription terms carefully, and always get consent before putting someone else's face into content you're sharing publicly.
FAQ
Is Reface free?
Yes, a free tier exists with watermarked exports, ads, and limited template access. Removing those restrictions requires a paid subscription.
Why is Reface's pricing confusing?
Reported prices vary meaningfully across weekly, monthly, and annual options, and figures differ between app stores and independent reviews — it's worth checking the exact price and billing terms shown in the app for your specific region before subscribing.
Is it legal to face-swap someone else into a video?
It depends on consent and jurisdiction — creating face swaps of other people without their permission can raise privacy, publicity, or harassment concerns depending on local law and how the content is used. The legality rests on the use, not the tool itself.
What data does Reface collect?
Since face-swap technology inherently processes facial (biometric) data to work, using Reface involves a real privacy trade-off — reviewers recommend reading the app's privacy policy directly to understand what's stored and for how long.
Who created Reface?
RefaceAI, formerly Neocortext Inc., a Ukrainian technology company founded in 2011 and based in Kyiv. The Reface app itself launched in 2020.
Does Reface do more than swap faces?
Yes, the app has expanded to include AI Avatars, artistic Restyle filters, Photo Animation with lip-sync, hairstyle try-on, and other entertainment-focused features beyond core face swapping.