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BackgroundRemover

github.com

From $9/mo Free plan Open source WebWindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 9.4 #1 of 30 in Green Screen Software

What it is

BackgroundRemover uses AI to remove image and video backgrounds, with options for people, general subjects, or faster processing. Images can be refined with alpha matting or mask output, then given a color or image background; video output can be transparent MOV, matte key, GIF, or a composite over another image or video. Its command-line formats include JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and HEIF images, and MP4, MOV, WebM, OGG, and GIF video. The open-source project can be installed locally for free with pip or from source, and it offers a local HTTP API as well as a hosted REST API with examples in Python, PHP, JavaScript, and C#. GPU detection is automatic, with CPU fallback when needed. The Free plan is free and allows one standard-resolution transparent PNG image daily, short videos, and ads, without batch processing. Pro (annual) is $9 a year, billed at US$ 108.0 annually; Pro (monthly) is $12 a month.

Spec sheet

What it does
BackgroundRemover uses AI to remove backgrounds from images and video through a command-line tool.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Purpose
BackgroundRemover uses AI to remove backgrounds from images and videos.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Security
The site says it processes files securely and automatically deletes them, and its privacy policy specifies separate deletion periods for uploaded and converted files.Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Privacy
The hosted service says uploads are deleted after two hours, converted files after 24 hours, and conversion IP logs after one hour.Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Alpha matting
Alpha-matting controls expose foreground and background thresholds, erosion size and processing base size for edge refinement.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
API access
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
API SDK examples
API documentation includes Python, cURL, PHP, JavaScript and C# request examples.Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Background replacement
Outputs can use transparency, a custom RGB color or a supplied background image.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Batch processing
Folder mode processes supported images or videos in bulk and writes results to an output folder.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Company identity
The project site says it was made by Johnathan Nader and describes BackgroundRemoverAI.com as an open-source project built on U2Net.Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Developer integration
The hosted REST API supports image and video background removal and provides examples in Python, PHP, JavaScript, and C#.Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Docker limitation
Video Docker runs may need at least 2GB shared memory or --ipc=host to avoid multiprocessing errors.Read 21 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Documentation depth
Independent HysenLabs documentation classifies it as an MIT Python CLI/library and explains models, Docker shared memory and GPU setup.Read 21 Oct 2026 · hysenlabs.com
Export formats
PNG output documented; input support includes JPG,JPEG,PNG,HEIC,HEIFRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Formats
The command-line tool lists JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and HEIF image formats and MP4, MOV, WebM, OGG, and GIF video formats.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
GPU acceleration
The tool automatically detects an available GPU and falls back to CPU if a GPU is unavailable or errors occur.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
GPU behavior
GPU acceleration is automatic when available, with CPU fallback; PyPI documentation says GPU can be 5–10 times faster.Read 21 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Homebrew availability
Workbrew's Homebrew catalog lists version 0.4.5, MIT licensing and the command brew install backgroundremover.Read 21 Oct 2026 · workbrew.com
Hosted REST API
The hosted API uses an Authorization API key, conversion and results endpoints, and supports image and video jobs.Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Hosted web tool
BackgroundRemoverAI.com offers browser-based image and video background removal with transparent downloads.Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Image formats
The CLI accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC and HEIF images, with HEIC/HEIF requiring pillow-heif.Read 21 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Image options
Image processing supports alpha matting, mask output, and replacing the background with a color or image.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Licence
The repository is distributed under the MIT License, allowing commercial use, modification and redistribution with notices retained.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: hosted failures
A Reddit discussion records reports of video jobs returning errors or 404s when no object was detected in the first five seconds, with an hourly retry limit mentioned by the maker.Read 21 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: model quality
A GitHub user reported dark or low-contrast subject regions being partially erased and contours performing worse than remove.bg; the maintainer attributed the ceiling to U2Net.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: newer models pending
The maintainer said stronger models such as BiRefNet and ISNet were tracked but not yet supported in the referenced issue.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Local API
The software can run as a local HTTP API server with image upload and URL processing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Local API server
The package includes a backgroundremover-server command exposing HTTP endpoints on port 5000 by default.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mask output
The CLI and Python library can produce a binary foreground mask instead of a transparent image.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Model choices
Users can select u2net for general subjects, u2net_human_seg for people or u2netp for faster lighter processing.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Models
The tool offers u2net for general subjects, u2net_human_seg for people, and u2netp for faster processing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Open source
The project is open source and can be installed locally for free with pip or from source code.Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Operator and address
Terms identify BackgroundRemoverAI.com as part of VPS.org LLC and give a South Windsor, Connecticut mailing address for DMCA notices.Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Package release
PyPI lists version 0.4.5 as released July 10, 2026, requiring Python >=3.6 and <4.Read 21 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Pipeline support
Pipe mode reads image bytes from standard input and writes results to standard output for Unix workflows.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Praise: local pipeline
Independent HysenLabs analysis praises the project for scriptable local batch processing rather than requiring a browser editor.Read 21 Oct 2026 · hysenlabs.com
Python library
The package exposes backgroundremover.bg.remove for programmatic image, mask and background-compositing operations.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Rating on G2
0 out of 5 from 0 reviewsRead 21 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Replacement backgrounds
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · github.com
Repository adoption
HysenLabs displayed about 8,090 GitHub stars and 650 forks when its October 2026 snapshot was taken.Read 21 Oct 2026 · hysenlabs.com
Self-hosting
Users can install from PyPI, clone the repository, run locally in a virtual environment or build a Docker image.Read 21 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Support and refunds
The pricing page offers a 7-day money-back guarantee for new subscribers and directs customers to contact support within seven days for a refund.Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
System requirements
Documented prerequisites include Python 3.6 or newer, matching Python development headers, PyTorch/torchvision and FFmpeg 4.4 or newer.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Video codecs
Transparent MOV defaults to ProRes 4444, while WebM VP9 and legacy qtrle are available alternatives.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Video formats
The documentation lists MP4, MOV, WebM, OGG and GIF video inputs.Read 21 Oct 2026 · pypi.org
Video options
Video output options include transparent MOV, matte key, GIF, and compositing over an image or video.Read 8 Oct 2026 · github.com
Video outputs
Video mode supports transparent MOV, matte-key MP4, transparent GIF and compositing over images or videos.Read 21 Oct 2026 · github.com
Who it serves
The site presents the service for people, portraits, product photos, and e-commerce images.Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com

Plans and prices

Free Free free forever 1 image per day · AI removal · transparent PNG · standard resolution · no batch processing · short videos only · ads Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
API credits $1, paid once 1,000 credits; Total: US$ 10.00 1 credit = 1 image or video · volume discounts up to 70% off · contact for more than 100,000 credits Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Pro (monthly) $12 a month per user / month Full-resolution HD downloads · no limit · batch uploading · files up to 100GB · priority queue · no ads Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Pro monthly $12 a month per user / month HD downloads · no ads · unlimited processing · batch uploads · files up to 100GB · priority queue · API access Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Pro (annual) $108 a year per user / month; US$ 108.0 billed annually Full-resolution HD downloads · no limit · batch uploading · files up to 100GB · priority queue · no ads Read 8 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com
Pro annual $108 a year US$108.0 billed annually HD downloads · no ads · unlimited processing · batch uploads · files up to 100GB · priority queue · API access Read 21 Oct 2026 · backgroundremoverai.com

Every BackgroundRemover plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Open-source local installation is free.
  • Offers models for people and general subjects.
  • Supports batch processing.
  • Hosted and local API options are available.
  • GPU detection falls back to CPU.

Limits

  • Free plan limits output to one image daily.
  • Free plan has no batch processing.
  • Free downloads are standard resolution and include ads.
  • Pro (monthly) costs $12 a month.

Who it suits

It suits people working with portraits, product photos, and e-commerce images, including developers who want hosted or local API access. Local installation is also an option for users who want an open-source tool.

BackgroundRemover in depth

Read the full write-up

BackgroundRemover is a background-removal tool for images and video, with options for local processing, a web service, and developer integrations. It fits developers and people handling recurring or mixed-media work best. For occasional web use, the free plan’s one-image daily cap is the key constraint.

Overview

BackgroundRemover’s appeal is the range of ways to use it: install the open-source project locally for free, run it as a local HTTP API, or use the hosted REST API. That flexibility makes it a stronger fit for repeat workflows than for someone who just wants an unrestricted one-off cutout from a browser. Image and video support, along with batch processing and background replacement, give it useful scope beyond simple transparent PNG export.

Key features

Image and video output

For images, users can choose alpha matting, generate a mask, or replace the background with a color or image. Three models address different needs: u2net for general subjects, u2net_human_seg for people, and u2netp for faster processing. Those options offer useful control over the workflow, though they do not establish a quality ranking.

Video output can be a transparent MOV, matte key, GIF, or a composite over an image or video. The command-line tool accepts JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC, and HEIF images, as well as MP4, MOV, WebM, OGG, and GIF video; documented image output is PNG. This combination is valuable for users moving between stills and clips, while the range of video formats will matter less to image-only users.

Processing and integration

Batch processing is supported, and the hosted REST API handles image and video removal with examples in Python, PHP, JavaScript, and C#. A local HTTP API server can process uploads or URLs, giving developers a way to keep the service close to their own workflow. The command-line tool detects an available GPU and falls back to CPU if none is available or an error occurs, which avoids making GPU availability a prerequisite.

The privacy policy says 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 deleted automatically. That is a concrete retention policy for users choosing the hosted route; local installation offers a separate route for those who prefer to process on their own machine.

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 contains ads. It is enough to try the web workflow or handle an occasional cutout, not a steady stream of images.

API credits cost $1 as a one-time purchase, billed as 1,000 credits for a total of US$ 10.00. One credit covers one image or video, with volume discounts up to 70% off; users needing more than 100,000 credits are directed to contact the provider. This pay-as-needed option suits metered integration better than unlimited individual use, but recurring high volume may call for a Pro plan.

Pro (annual) costs $9 a year, billed per user / month, with US$ 108.0 billed annually. Pro (monthly) costs $12 a month, billed per user / month. Both include full-resolution HD downloads, no limit, batch uploading, files up to 100GB, priority queue, and no ads. The annual plan lowers the monthly rate if a year-long commitment fits; monthly costs more but avoids that annual billing commitment. New subscribers have a 7-day money-back guarantee and can contact support within seven days for a refund.

Platforms

BackgroundRemover supports API, Linux, macOS, web, Windows, and self-hosted use. Free local installation is available through pip or from source code. This breadth suits developers and teams that want to choose between a hosted service and local deployment, though it also means the free web tier should not be confused with the capabilities of the whole project.

Who it's for

The service is presented for people, portraits, product photos, and e-commerce images. It is particularly well suited to users who need batch work, video output, or API integration and can make use of local installation or a paid plan. Someone needing only a few standard-resolution images now and then can start free; anyone needing daily volume, batch uploads, or full-resolution downloads will hit the plan boundary quickly.

Pros and cons

Pro: Local installation, a local HTTP API, and a hosted REST API give developers several deployment paths.

Pro: Image and video output options cover transparent media, masks, replacement backgrounds, and composites.

Pro: Pro combines unlimited processing, batch uploads, HD downloads, and file support up to 100GB.

Con: The free web plan allows only one image per day and excludes batch processing, so it is not a practical free tier for regular production work.

Con: The annual Pro price is billed as US$ 108.0 at once, a meaningful commitment compared with monthly billing.

Alternatives

Cutout.Pro is worth comparing if its broader platform support, including Android and iOS, or its 80 credits/month subscription at $5 a month better matches the workflow.

Bria Video Background Removal may suit users seeking a free trial and a free tier with 100 generations, while its free plan is cloud-only and limited to 10 requests per minute.

Robust Video Matting is another free option for video-focused users who want pretrained models and source code under GPL-3.0.

Pixelcut is a mobile-oriented alternative with Android and iOS support and free exports without a watermark, though its free background removal is limited.

Media.io AI Object Remover is a web-only alternative with a 3-day trial and 1080p export; its stated trial terms include an unresolved renewal price.

VCam may fit users looking for a desktop-oriented option with macOS and Windows support and a free Starter plan limited to three workspace members, 500MB storage, and watermarked output.

Transparent Background is a free open-source Python package with GUI and webcam support, while EZ-CorridorKey offers a free full desktop app for users who prefer that format.

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

Verdict

Choose BackgroundRemover if you need image and video background removal with batch processing, multiple output paths, or local and API integration. Its strongest case is flexibility across self-hosted and hosted workflows; look elsewhere if you need a generous free web allowance, since the one-image-per-day cap makes the free plan a sampler rather than a working tier.

Verdict

BackgroundRemover combines image and video removal with several output and integration paths. Check the free plan's daily image limit and the listed Pro terms against your workload.

Where Specifiction places it

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