Knockout API vs Removal.AI

Knockout API provides image and video processing through a browser app and API. Its image tools cover background removal and replacement, batch processing, masking, smart crop, stickers, outlines, shadows, and inpainting; the API also handles upscaling, portrait restoration, colorization, and object removal. Video background removal runs asynchronously, with job polling for progress. The browser Canvas supports layered designs with text and effects, and users can save canvases and cutouts to a free account. Developers can connect through REST, any HTTP client, or official Node, React, Python, and CLI options. The service says it manages GPU processing, endpoint updates, usage records, credentials, teams, and billing. Its privacy policy says uploaded images are processed in GPU worker memory, not retained after the response, and not used to train models. The Free plan is free, with 30 images per month and 60 requests per minute. Pay-as-you-go is $0.02 a month, with metered usage billed monthly; Plus is $10 a month. Paid tiers have no monthly cap and a 600-request-per-minute limit.

Removal.AI removes image backgrounds and can produce white, custom, or transparent backgrounds in three seconds or less. The web editor can replace backgrounds, add text and effects, and let users manually edit the foreground with a background eraser. Bulk Upload accepts up to 100 images per upload and uses half the credits per image; the service also describes processing over 1,000 images in one upload. A desktop app for macOS and Windows supports whole-folder processing, background colors, pause and resume, ecommerce optimization, and automatic cropping. The API takes direct uploads or image URLs and returns a file URL or Base64 output, with resolutions up to 25 megapixels. New API users receive 10 free preview credits per month by default, and a Figma plugin is available. The Free plan costs nothing and is limited to 0.25 megapixels and personal use. Paid options include credit packs billed once and monthly plans; the three-credit lifetime option is listed at $1.89 a month, billed once. JPG or PNG uploads can be up to 12 MB, and images above 36 megapixels are resized.