FacesImage generation

InstantID

Generates images with a specific person's face from a single photo, without fine-tuning. Popular in ComfyUI, but the weights are for research only.

The last open version came out in Jan 2024. The family has not been updated for a long time: the model still works, but do not expect fixes or new sizes.

Developer
InstantX (Xiaohongshu), China
First release
Jan 2024
Latest release
Jan 2024
Sizes
adapter for SDXL
License
Non-commercial onlyCode is Apache 2.0, but the released weights and the InsightFace face recognizer it uses are for research only
Running
On your own serverNeeds a GPU
Industries
Marketing and content, Media and production
Deploy on your server Hugging Face GitHub

What it does

  • Portraits in different styles from one photo
  • Avatar and character sketches
  • Photoshoot prototypes

Where it is used

Design and creative (for testing)Research

Hardware requirements

LaptopLaptop or regular PC, up to 8 GB of VRAM — smaller versions
no versions
1 GPUOne GPU with 16–80 GB — mid-size versions
fits
ClusterServer with several GPUs — flagship versions
no versions

Versions

  1. InstantID для SDXL

How to run it

On your own serverWeights are downloaded from Hugging Face and served with vLLM (load and API) or llama.cpp (modest hardware). The model then runs in a closed network with no per-request fees.Hugging Face
How much hardware you needCalculate the VRAM for the model size, context length and number of concurrent requests.Open the hardware calculator

I can set this up end to end: pick the model size, deploy it on your server and connect it to your systems.

Frequently asked questions

Can InstantID be used in a commercial project?

No. License: Code is Apache 2.0, but the released weights and the InsightFace face recognizer it uses are for research only. A commercial product needs a different model or a separate agreement with the rights holder.

What hardware does InstantID need?

At minimum: One GPU with 16–80 GB — mid-size versions. Without a GPU the model is not practical. You can calculate the exact VRAM for your model size and context in the hardware calculator.

Does InstantID support Russian?

Language does not matter for this model: it does not work with text.

Where can I download InstantID and what does it cost?

The InstantID weights are open and free to download. You only pay for the hardware it runs on and for the setup. Source links are at the bottom of this page.

How I deploy it for clients

  1. SelectionI pick the model size for your task and hardware and test it on your examples.
  2. DeploymentI deploy it on your server or in a closed network and provide an API.
  3. Fine-tuningI fine-tune it on your data (LoRA) or connect a knowledge base — whichever is cheaper for the task.
  4. IntegrationI connect it to your CRM, ERP, bot, website or team chat and set up monitoring.

Similar models

FacesPuLIDByteDance · ChinaCommercial use with conditions

Preserves a person's face when generating images from one photo, with less damage to style and background. Versions exist for SDXL and FLUX; the latter runs on a 16 GB card.

DetailsFacesIP-Adapter-FaceIDTencent AI Lab (h94) · ChinaNon-commercial only

One of the first adapters that transfer a face from a photo into a generated image. The SD 1.5 versions run on low-end cards, but the weights are non-commercial.

DetailsFacesInfiniteYouByteDance · ChinaNon-commercial only

FLUX-based image generation that preserves a face: follows the prompt better and less often pastes the face like a sticker. Research-only license.

Details

Source: github.com/instantX-research/InstantID. Data checked against the model card on 22 Sep 2026. Have a lawyer review the license before commercial launch.