BackgroundRemover

BackgroundRemover is an open-source tool and service for removing backgrounds from images and video. It suits developers and people with recurring or mixed-media work who want local processing, batch uploads or API access. Its flexibility is the draw; the free web plan’s one-image daily cap is a real constraint.

Overview

You can install the project locally for free with pip or from source, run a local HTTP API server, or use hosted services. That range makes it a credible fit for workflows that need control over where processing runs as well as a web option. If you only need occasional image cutouts, the free web tier may be enough, but its standard-resolution output and daily limit leave little room for sustained work.

Key features

Images and video

Image processing supports alpha matting, mask output, and replacing the background with a color or image. Three models target different priorities: u2net for general subjects, u2net_human_seg for people, and u2netp for faster processing. This choice is useful for adapting a workflow to people or speed, though it does not establish which model will produce the best result for a particular image.

Video output options include transparent MOV, matte key, GIF, and compositing over an image or video. The command-line tool accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and HEIF images, plus MP4, MOV, WebM, OGG, and GIF video; PNG output is documented for images. That breadth is valuable for work beyond standard portrait cutouts, especially when video or HEIC/HEIF inputs are involved.

Processing and integration

Batch processing is supported, and the Pro web plans include batch uploading. The command-line tool automatically detects an available GPU and falls back to CPU if none is available or an error occurs. That gives local users a fallback path, though the stated behavior is not a guarantee of processing speed.

Developers can use the hosted REST API for image and video removal, with examples in Python, PHP, JavaScript, and C#. A local HTTP API server also accepts uploads and URL processing. The hosted API’s credit model is straightforward for metered use, while local installation offers a free route for those prepared to run the project themselves.

Privacy

The privacy policy says uploaded files are deleted after two hours, converted files after 24 hours, and conversion IP addresses after one hour. Those time limits offer a concrete retention window for service users, but they may not suit workflows that require files to be removed immediately.

Pricing

The free web plan costs nothing, forever. It allows one image per day, transparent PNG downloads at standard resolution, and short videos; it includes ads and excludes batch processing. It is best treated as an occasional-use option, not a practical route for frequent or high-resolution output.

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 can reach 70% off, and purchases above 100,000 credits require contact. This pay-as-you-go structure suits developers who want hosted integration without a recurring subscription, but usage scales with each file.

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 include full-resolution HD downloads, no limit, batch uploading, files up to 100GB, priority queue, and no ads. Annual billing lowers the stated monthly rate for users willing to commit for the year; monthly billing costs more but avoids that annual commitment. New subscribers have a 7-day money-back guarantee and must contact support within seven days to request a refund.

Platforms

BackgroundRemover is available for API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted use, web, and Windows. Local installation, a local API server, and hosted access cover distinct deployment needs, while GPU detection with CPU fallback applies to the command-line tool.

Who it's for

People working with portraits, product photos, or e-commerce images can use the image models, masks, and replacement backgrounds for different kinds of cutouts. Developers have both hosted and local API routes, and video users get output options that extend beyond transparent still images. It is less compelling for someone who needs only occasional web cutouts at full resolution, since the free plan is limited to one standard-resolution image a day and HD downloads sit behind Pro.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Local installation, self-hosting, and a local HTTP API provide alternatives to sending every job through a hosted service.
• Pro: Image and video processing, multiple output options, and support for HEIC/HEIF inputs make it useful across varied media workflows.
• Pro: Hosted API examples in four languages and credit-based billing provide a clear integration path without a monthly Pro subscription.
• Con: The free web plan allows only one image per day, omits batch processing, and limits images to standard resolution.
• Con: HD downloads and batch uploading require Pro; the annual plan is billed at US$ 108.0 upfront.
• Con: Hosted file retention extends to 24 hours for converted files, which may not fit workflows needing immediate deletion.

Alternatives

Cutout.Pro is another freemium option, with a 5.00 USD monthly subscription for 80 credits/month; consider it if that credit allowance and subscription format better match your needs.

Bria Video Background Removal has a free tier with 100 generations, cloud-only deployment, a 10 requests/minute limit, queue-based latency, and Discord community support; it may suit users looking for a capped cloud-only option.

Pixelcut offers limited background removal and upscale on its free plan, with free export without a watermark; consider it if those additional upscale and export terms matter to your workflow.

Robust Video Matting is a free option distributed with GPL-3.0 pretrained models and source code; it is worth considering if those licensing and source-code terms fit your use.

VCam offers a free Starter plan with up to 500MB storage, a watermark, and up to three workspace members; consider it if those workspace limits fit your needs.

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

Knockout API offers 30 images/month on its free plan; consider it if that recurring image quota matches your volume.

Transparent Background is another free option.

For broader comparisons, see Video Background Removal Software, Green Screen Software, AI Video Background Removers, and AI Background Removers.

Verdict

BackgroundRemover is a strong fit for developers and repeat users who need image and video processing with local, hosted, and API routes. Its main advantage is that range, backed by batch processing and output choices; its main drawback is the gap between the free web plan and the Pro features, particularly HD downloads and batch uploads. Choose it for flexible deployment or mixed-media work, and look elsewhere if you need a generous free web plan.