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BG0

bg0.dev

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Spec score 9.0 #5 of 28 in Image Background Removal Software

What it is

BG0 is a free web tool that removes image backgrounds in the browser and downloads transparent PNG files. Image bytes remain in the browser rather than being uploaded for processing. The remover accepts PNG, JPG, WebP, HEIC, and HEIF images up to 40 MB. It runs BiRefNet and can fall back to BiRefNet-lite when the selected model cannot run. First use requires an internet connection to download and prepare the model, after which the browser may cache it. There is no account, credit system, subscription, or stated usage limit. Developers can use the @bg0/browser library to add on-device removal to web apps without a server or API key; it runs through WebGPU or WebAssembly. The documented iOS path uses a single-threaded WebAssembly worker and BiRefNet-lite, with output limited to 1280 pixels on the longest edge. No manual touch-up editor is included. BG0 uses PostHog for anonymous analytics.

Spec sheet

What it does
BG0 removes photo backgrounds in the browser and exports transparent PNG images.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Intended users
The web app is presented for people who want to remove a photo background, while the browser library is for developers adding removal to their own web apps.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · bg0.dev
License
The source code is released under Apache License 2.0, while model weights have separate notices and licenses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Analytics
BG0 uses PostHog for anonymous analytics and states that session recording, advertising, fingerprinting, and automatic click capture are disabled.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Analytics statement
BG0 says it may collect anonymous routes and limited product actions but not image contents or metadata.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
API access
NoRead 20 Sep 2026 · bg0.dev
Backend requirement
The repository states that background removal needs no backend or server inference.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Browser library
The @bg0/browser library lets developers add on-device background removal to a web app without a server or API key.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Browser package
The public @bg0/browser package exposes background removal for integration into another web application.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Cancellation
The API accepts AbortSignal cancellation and reports failures through BackgroundRemovalError.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Clipboard and download
Users can copy the result to the clipboard or download a PNG.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Comparison view
The interface provides a draggable before-and-after comparison and an original-image peek.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Compatibility limits
The documentation says Windows, Android, iOS, Safari, Firefox, and the deployed origin have not been verified for its model-selection change.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Compatibility verification
The documented hardware tests ran on an Apple M4 Max with 64 GiB RAM and Chrome for Testing 153; Windows, Android, iOS, Safari, Firefox and the deployed origin were not verified for the model-selection change.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Developer setup
Source development requires Bun 1.4, with commands for install, development, linting, type checking, tests and builds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Drag and drop
Users can drag files onto the page, paste an image, or open a file picker.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
First use
The first use needs an internet connection to download and prepare the model, which the browser can cache for later visits.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
First-use requirement
The first removal downloads model files and therefore needs an internet connection; later visits can reuse cached files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Hardware acceleration
The library attempts WebGPU when supported and falls back to WebAssembly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Independent activity
Seismograph reports the last push as September 16, 2026 on its September 18 snapshot.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitnova.dev
Independent creation date
Seismograph reports the repository was created on September 14, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitnova.dev
Independent project category
Seismograph classifies BG0 as a TypeScript generative-media project.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitnova.dev
Independent repository metrics
The Seismograph snapshot records 242 stars, 26 forks and 21 issues or pull requests.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitnova.dev
Input formats
The web tool accepts PNG, JPG, WebP, HEIC and HEIF files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Input size limit
The browser library accepts images up to 60 MB.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
iOS behavior
On iPhone and iPad, the library uses a single-threaded WebAssembly worker and caps output at 1280 pixels on the longest edge.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Library outputs
The API returns a PNG blob with alpha plus dimensions, backend, model, quality and duration metadata.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Limit: automatic edges
BG0 warns that fine edges or parts of a subject can be missed and recommends checking results against the original.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Limit: failed model recovery
The browser-library documentation says npm users must apply a Transformers.js queue patch themselves to recover from failed model loads without reloading.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Limit: no manual retouching
The transparent-PNG guidance says BG0 performs automatic removal and does not provide a manual touch-up editor.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Local processing
Image bytes, filenames, thumbnails and masks remain on the device instead of being sent to a processing server.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Maker location
OpenCore's GitHub organization profile lists the United States of America.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker maintainer
OpenCore's organization profile names Leo as its core maintainer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Maker organization
The GitHub maker is OpenCore, an organization describing itself as building open-source tools and projects.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Mobile support
The library documents an iOS path using a single-threaded WebAssembly worker and BiRefNet-lite, with output capped at 1280 pixels on the longest edge.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Model caching
Desktop and Android browsers cache the selected model locally for later use, subject to browser storage eviction.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Model fallback
If the selected full model fails, BG0 retries with the lite model and then a WebAssembly lite path.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Model sizes
The documented cached model sizes are about 452 MiB for full BiRefNet and 94 MiB for the lite model.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Models
BG0 runs BiRefNet and can fall back to BiRefNet-lite when the selected model cannot run.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Output and editing
The remover downloads a transparent PNG and does not include a manual touch-up editor.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Package installation
Installation examples are provided for npm, pnpm, Yarn, Bun, and two additional package managers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Praise: embeddability
The independent listing specifically identifies embedding removeBackground from @bg0/browser in another web app as a use case.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitnova.dev
Praise: local privacy
The independent Seismograph listing highlights running entirely in-browser without uploading images as BG0's main use case.Read 15 Oct 2026 · gitnova.dev
Processing backends
The browser library runs the model with WebGPU or WebAssembly.Read 9 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Quality option
Callers can select fast or quality mask smoothing, with quality taking somewhat longer.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev
Segmentation model
BG0 uses BiRefNet to predict an alpha mask and composites that mask onto the source pixels.Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev

Plans and prices

Free Free no account · no credits · no subscription · no stated usage limit Read 15 Oct 2026 · bg0.dev

Every BG0 plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free web app with no stated usage limit
  • Image bytes stay in the browser
  • Supports five input formats
  • No account, credits, or subscription
  • Library needs no server or API key

Limits

  • First use requires an internet connection
  • No manual touch-up editor
  • iOS output capped at 1280 pixels
  • Several platforms and browsers unverified

Who it suits

BG0 suits people who need browser-based background removal without uploading image bytes. Its library is aimed at developers adding client-side removal to web applications.

Verdict

BG0 keeps image processing in the browser and offers both a web remover and an embeddable library. It is straightforward for transparent PNG output, but first-run downloads, unverified configurations, and the lack of manual refinement define its limits.

Where Specifiction places it

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