BackgroundRemover

Overview

BackgroundRemover uses AI to remove backgrounds from still images and video, with options to run it on your own machine or use hosted access. It suits developers and people handling recurring or mixed image-and-video work. Its broad processing options are compelling, while the free web plan is tightly capped.

Key features

Image and video tools

Images can be processed with alpha matting or as masks, and their backgrounds can be replaced with a color or another image. Three models address different needs: u2net for general subjects, u2net_human_seg for people, and u2netp for faster processing. That range makes the tool adaptable to portraits and product images without requiring every job to use the same model.

Video output includes transparent MOV, matte key, GIF, or a composite over an image or video. The command-line tool supports JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and HEIF images, plus MP4, MOV, WebM, OGG, and GIF video; PNG output is documented for images. This breadth is useful for workflows that extend beyond standard image cutouts.

Processing and integration

Batch processing is supported, and the tool detects an available GPU automatically, falling back to CPU if none is available or an error occurs. Users can install the open-source project locally for free with pip or from source. It also runs as a local HTTP API server, accepting uploads or URLs.

The hosted REST API handles image and video background removal, with examples in Python, PHP, JavaScript, and C#. That makes it practical to connect the service to existing applications, though the credit plan charges for each image or video and large purchases require contacting the provider.

For hosted file handling, uploaded files are deleted after two hours, converted files after 24 hours, and conversion IP addresses after one hour. The site says files are processed securely and automatically deleted; the stated deletion periods give users a clearer sense of retention, though they should still consider whether hosted processing fits their privacy requirements.

Pricing

The free plan costs nothing, billed free forever. It allows one image per day, transparent PNG downloads at standard resolution, and short videos, but excludes batch processing and includes ads. It is suitable for occasional, low-volume image use; the daily cap and resolution limit make it a poor fit for regular production work.

API credits cost $1, paid once, billed as 1,000 credits for a total of US$ 10.00. One credit covers one image or video, volume discounts reach up to 70% off, and purchases above 100,000 credits require contact. This pay-as-you-go option suits developers with variable usage, but ongoing or heavy use may be less predictable than a subscription.

Pro (annual) costs $9 a year, billed per user / month, with US$ 108.0 billed annually. Pro (monthly) costs $12 a month, also billed per user / month. Both offer full-resolution HD downloads, no limit, batch uploading, files up to 100GB, a priority queue, and no ads. Annual billing lowers the monthly equivalent but commits the user to US$ 108.0 billed annually; monthly billing costs more per month and allows a shorter commitment. New subscribers have a 7-day money-back guarantee and can contact support within seven days to request a refund.

Platforms

BackgroundRemover supports API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web, and Windows use. Local installation and a local HTTP API server give technically comfortable users control over where they run processing, while hosted access offers a simpler route for those who do not want to install the project.

Who it's for

It is a strong fit for developers integrating background removal, and for people who routinely process portraits, product photos, e-commerce images, or video. The choice of local, self-hosted, API, and web access helps accommodate different workflows. Someone needing only an occasional image should first consider whether one standard-resolution image per day is enough; users needing HD output, batches, or larger files will need Pro.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Image and video workflows share one tool, with multiple output types and support for several common and less common input formats.
• Pro: Free local installation, a local API server, and a hosted REST API give developers several ways to integrate or run processing.
• Pro: Pro includes batch uploads, HD downloads, files up to 100GB, and no usage limit, addressing the free tier’s main constraints.
• Con: The free web plan’s one-image daily cap, standard resolution, ads, and lack of batch processing restrict it to light use.
• Con: API credits are counted per image or video, so costs can rise with usage; larger orders require contacting the provider.
• Con: The annual Pro option bills US$ 108.0 annually, so its lower monthly equivalent comes with a yearly payment commitment.

Alternatives

Choose Robust Video Matting if you want a free, GPL-3.0 project with pretrained models and source code, and its Android, API, iOS, Linux, self-hosted, or web platforms suit your workflow.

Cutout.Pro is a freemium alternative with Android and iOS support and a subscription offering 80 credits/month for $5 a month; consider it if those platforms or that allowance better match your needs.

Bria Video Background Removal offers a free tier with 100 generations, cloud-only deployment, a 10 requests/minute limit, queue-based latency, and Discord community support; choose it if those terms fit your video workflow.

Pixelcut has a free tier with limited background removal and upscale, plus free exports without a watermark; it may suit users who want those tools on Android or iOS.

VCam is another freemium option, with a free Starter plan for up to three workspace members, up to 500MB storage, and a watermark.

EZ-CorridorKey is a free desktop app for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with donations welcome.

Knockout API offers a recurring free allowance of 30 images per month across its API and web platforms; consider it if that monthly image quota matches your integration needs.

Transparent Background is a free open-source Python package with GUI and webcam support for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

For more options, browse Video Background Removal Software, Green Screen Software, AI Video Background Removers, or AI Background Removers.

Verdict

BackgroundRemover is best for developers and regular image or video users who value local control, batch work, and flexible output choices. Its free local project and broad integrations make it a capable starting point, but the free hosted tier is too limited for sustained work; choose Pro for regular high-volume processing, and look elsewhere if your needs are occasional and the one-image daily cap is too restrictive.