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Trying out a new hair color no longer requires a trip to the salon. With a virtual hair color changer, you can preview bold or natural shades in seconds and change your hair color in photos or with live camera mode.
I tested 5 top free hair color apps for iPhone and Android to see which ones offer the most realistic and customizable virtual hair color try-on experience. Here are the top picks I recommend based on ease of use, accuracy, and results.
5 Best Free Hair Color Apps for Virtual Hair Color Try-On
- YouCam Makeup (Android/iOS): Best for Virtual Hair Color Try-On
- Color Analysis - Dressika (Android/iOS): Best Hair Color Finder
- Style My Hair (Android/iOS): Best for Subtle Hair Color Filters
- Hair Color Changer (Android): Best to Change Hair Color in Photos
- Hair Color Booth (iOS): Best for Bright Hair Color Filters
1. YouCam Makeup: Best Hair Color App with 150+ Hair Color Filters
App Rating: iOS - 4.8 / Android - 4.5
YouCam Makeup is the most powerful and user-friendly hair color app I tested. It offers over 150 hair color filters, from natural brown and blonde to pastel, ombre, and even split-dye looks. You can try everything in real time using your camera or upload a photo.
The app uses advanced AI to detect your hair shape and apply color smoothly, creating natural results every time. You can also adjust brightness and intensity to suit your look. If you want the most complete and realistic hair color experience, this is the app I would recommend first.
✍️ User Reviews
YouCam Makeup stands out as one of the most polished and versatile hair and makeup apps. Users on Reddit highlight its impressive AR tools that seamlessly apply makeup and hair color in real time: “I came across YouCam Makeup and am sort of blown away by how much it can do … my face is still basically my face, but with nicer lighting and digital makeup plus some fancy augmented reality magic.”
On the App Store, reviewers praise the natural-looking filters and easy interface, giving it a 4.8/5 rating overall. Many users enjoy experimenting with bold hair shades and ombré effects, noting that the results look surprisingly realistic.
2. Color Analysis - Dressika: Best for Personalized Hair Color Matching
Dressika offers a unique twist on hair color apps. Instead of just giving you random shades to try, it uses a personal color analysis to suggest the best hair colors for your skin tone and overall color palette. You can take a short quiz or upload a photo to get started.
Once your color code is identified, the app recommends over 180 hair colors to try in photo mode. I found the suggestions surprisingly flattering, and the app’s AI hair detection worked well. Just keep in mind that live camera try-on is not available, and a few filters are locked behind the premium version.
App Rating: iOS - 4.5 / Android - 4.0
✍️ User Reviews
Dressika is designed more for personal color analysis than pure hairstyle try-ons, but many users appreciate its ability to suggest flattering hair colors that match skin undertones. A review from App Store noted the hair color is very realistic.
3. Style My Hair: Great for Subtle Color Filters
Style My Hair by L'Oréal focuses on subtle color transformations based on your hair profile. After entering details about your hair type and current color, the app gives tailored shade suggestions. You can try these looks in live camera mode or photo mode.
The filters are more natural than dramatic, which is great if you want a realistic idea of how salon colors will appear on your hair. I found the app a bit tricky to navigate, and the results were more noticeable on lighter hair. Still, it’s a helpful tool if you want inspiration based on your hair’s condition.
App Rating: iOS - 2.1 / Android - 1.8
✍️ User Reviews
Style My Hair app provides real-time previews of haircuts and dye options, making it appealing for users seeking a more professional salon-inspired experience.
One user commented positively: “I loved using this app; the interface was one of the better AI editing apps I’ve tried.”
Still, not everyone is satisfied. Another reviewer expressed frustration: “I paid for a week … I feel like I’ve been ripped off.”
4. Hair Color Changer: Best for Manual Hair Coloring
Hair Color Changer is a simple but surprisingly effective tool for changing hair color in photos. The app gives you 16 color choices, and you apply them manually using a draw and erase tool. There’s no AI detection, but it lets you customize the color exactly how you want it.
I didn’t expect much from this app at first, but I was impressed by how accurately I could control the look. It is completely free with no ads, and all colors are unlocked, which is a nice bonus if you are experimenting with edits.
App Rating: Android - 4.2
✍️ User Reviews
Hair Color Changer focuses on letting users manually paint new shades onto their hair, giving full control over edits.
Users from Google Play often wish for more realistic auto-detection and a wider shade range. While not the most advanced app, it works well for those willing to manually adjust edits.
5. Hair Color Booth: Best for Bright Hair Color Filters
Hair Color Booth focuses on bold and bright shades, perfect if you want to see how vibrant colors look on you. It includes over 45 hair colors and allows you to apply them in photo or video mode. You can also adjust the intensity and add a skin-smoothing filter to enhance the overall look.
The app worked well on both dark and light hair, but its hair detection was not as accurate as other apps I tried. Still, if you want to play with dramatic shades like blue, pink, or purple, this is a fun one to try.
App Rating: iOS - 3.6
✍️ User Reviews
Hair Color Booth, one of the earlier hair color overlay apps, is popular with users who want playful edits. Positive comments highlight how it helps people preview bold colors, but some reviewers complain about its dated interface and lack of realism.
Comparison of the 5 Best Hair Color Apps
| App | iOS / Android Rating | Best Features |
| YouCam Makeup | 4.8 / 4.5 |
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| Color Analysis - Dressika | 4.5 / 4.0 |
|
| Hair Color Changer | 4.2 (Android only) |
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| Style My Hair | 2.1 / 1.8 |
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| Hair Color Booth | 3.6 (iOS only) |
|
Best Hair Color App for Virtual Hair Color Try-On
After testing all five, I would say YouCam Makeup stands out as the best hair color changer overall. It gives you the most realistic virtual hair color try-on experience with a wide selection of shades, live and photo mode support, and easy customization. Whether you want to try pastel trends, a natural brunette, or ombre effects, YouCam Makeup delivers salon-worthy results without any guesswork.
If you're ready for a fun and easy virtual hair color try-on, download YouCam Makeup and see which shade could become your next signature look!
More Hair Color Try-On Ideas
- Ginger Filter: How Would You Look With Red Hair?
- Best Calico Hair Color Ideas
- 20 Hair Color Trends That Will Slay Summer 2025
- Black Hair Filter: Virtual Hair Color Try-On
- Gray Hair Filter: What Would I Look Like with Gray Hair
Hair Color Changer FAQs
Is there an app to see what hair color suits you?
YouCam Makeup is one of the best hair color change apps that uses smart AI to help you find what hair color suits you best. You can upload a photo or use the live camera to virtually test a wide range of shades, from natural tones to fantasy colors.
Is there an app that lets you try different hairstyles and colors?
Yes, apps like YouCam Makeup let you try both different hairstyles and hair colors. It’s a powerful hairstyle try on app and hair color app in one, perfect for exploring your next hair transformation virtually.
Is there a free app to change your hair color?
The best hair color changing app depends on your needs, but popular options like YouCam Makeup offer a wide range of shades and realistic results. It’s free to use and lets you try on different hair colors instantly!
What is the best virtual hair color to try on?
The best virtual hair color to try on depends on your personal style, but popular choices include soft balayage, ash blonde, vibrant red, and pastel shades. With a hair color app like YouCam Makeup, you can easily experiment with all of these looks using real-time technology to find the most flattering shade.
How to virtually try on hair color?
Download a virtual hair color try-on app like YouCam Makeup, upload a photo or use the live cam, and select from a wide range of hair colors to see how they look on you in real time.
