5 Best AI Background Remover Tools for 2026

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In this post, I’ll show you the best AI background remover tools.

Top picks:

Let’s see how these tools work and what other options are out there.

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links at no cost to you.

1. Freepik Background Remover

Freepik AI Suite is an all-in-one creative platform for image, video, and audio generation and editing. The Background Remover is part of its image editing section, which also lets you modify images from a text prompt or a reference image, remove unwanted objects, change camera angles, adjust lighting, upscale, extend, and enhance skin—all in one place.

I tested it to see how it compares to dedicated tools like Remove.BG.

Features

  • Background removal: One-click AI removal with transparent PNG export.
  • Background replacement: Swap in a new background using a text prompt or an uploaded image.
  • Solid and gradient fill: Apply a clean color background with a single click.
  • Integrated editor: After removing the background, you can retouch, upscale, or relight the image in the same tab.
  • Stock library access: Pick a replacement background directly from Freepik’s image library.
  • API access: Remove backgrounds programmatically via the Freepik API. Synchronous, no polling needed, outputs up to 25 megapixels.

My Experience

To use it, open the Freepik AI Suite and find the Background Remover tool.

Upload your image or pick one from your previous AI creations.

The panel opens on the left with four options: Replace, Transparent, Color, and Adjust. Select Transparent and hit the blue Remove Background button:

The AI processes the image almost instantly. I got a clean cutout in under two seconds.

The result on a portrait was solid—edges around hair were handled well for a browser-based tool. Not quite at Aiarty’s level, but more than good enough for social media posts and product mockups.

The part that stood out more was what comes next.

Switch to the Replace tab, type a prompt, and the tool generates a new background with AI. I typed “a field of flowers” and it applied it cleanly:

You can also upload your own image instead of using a prompt, or pick a solid or gradient color if you just want something neutral fast.

If you’re building a product or app, there’s also a REST API. It’s synchronous—you submit an image URL and get a transparent PNG back immediately, no task polling. It outputs up to 25 megapixels and accepts JPG or PNG files up to 20 MB.

One thing to keep in mind: removing the background costs credits. Adding an AI-generated background costs more. If you’re on the free plan, you’ll hit your daily limit quickly.

Pros

  • Fast. Background removal takes under two seconds.
  • Replace in the same step. You can go from cutout to new background without opening another tool.
  • Flexible replacement options. Prompt-based, image-based, or solid color—pick what works.
  • API available. Good for developers who need to automate background removal at scale.
  • Free to try. No credit card needed to test it.

Cons

  • Credit limits. Free users get one removal per day. Adding an AI-generated background uses significantly more credits than the removal itself.
  • Not downloaded software. Everything runs in the browser, so you need a stable connection.
  • Complex backgrounds. Very low-contrast or cluttered images can leave rough edges that need a second pass.

Pricing

  • Free: 1 background removal per day
  • Essential: $5.75/month (billed annually) — 84,000 credits/year
  • Premium: $12/month (billed annually) — 216,000 credits/year
  • Premium+: $24.50/month (billed annually) — 540,000 credits/year + unlimited generations on selected models

Pro: $158.33/month (billed annually) — 3,600,000 credits/year + unlimited generations

2. Aiarty Image Matting

Aiarty Image Matting uses AI to remove backgrounds with precision, even in complex images.

It’s a new downloadable tool for both macOS and Windows, and I tested it to save you time and money.

👉 Try Free

Features

Key features of Aiarty Image Matting:

  • AI-powered background removal – Accurate, even in detailed areas like hair.
  • Edge refinement – Smooth, clean edges for a polished look.
  • Manual editing tools – Fine-tune with brushes and erasers.
  • Background replacement – Swap with colors, blur, or other images.
  • Batch processing – Edit multiple images at once.
  • High-resolution support – Upscale up to 10K.

Now, let’s see how it works in practice.

My Experience

To use Aiarty Image Matting for background removal, open the page and download the trial.

This is the default view for background removal:

To remove a background, drag and drop an image to this view and click “Start.”

I ran the AI with the default settings. You can change the AI model and hardware in the top right. It took longer than free tools, which are quicker but usually lower in quality.

Here’s what it looks like in action:

The matting detail is impressive and much better than what free tools offer.

Aiarty isn’t only for background removal—it also lets you replace backgrounds with solid colors or custom images.

You can also make a mask to silhouette the AI-matted object and then fill the space with something else.

I liked the Blur option in the right panel. It softened my busy forest background and reduced the contrast for a cleaner look.

There are different blur modes too. Motion blur adds a sense of movement, though it didn’t suit my image—but it works well.

You can also change your background to black and white.

Now, take a look at this result:

Usually, when you zoom in, the background is only partly removed.

This AI, though, removed it with great accuracy—even separating individual hairs from the background.

Impressive.

For comparison, here’s a result from a free tool:

As you can see, a typical free tool gives a blurry image and a roughly removed background.

Aiarty Image Matting also works well for removing AI-generated image backgrounds.

Here’s an example:

To change the background, drag and drop an image, click “Start” to run the formatting, and then view the before-and-after results as before.

Then click “Background” on the right and choose the image icon from the options that open up:

Click the image icon and pick a background. Here’s one I added:

👉 Try Aiarty Free

Pros

  • Extremely accurate. The Aiarty Matting tool removes objects from the background with near-perfect precision.
  • Easy to use. Download the tool, drag and drop your image, and start.
  • Image editing modes. Built-in tools let you edit backgrounds and objects easily.
  • Free trial. You can test it before paying, even though it’s downloadable software.

Cons

  • Free tools exist. They work for simple tasks like thumbnails, but aren’t good enough for product images or ads.
  • Price. At $99, it can feel expensive for casual uses like thumbnails or invitations.

Pricing

  • Standard: $49/year
  • Lifetime: $75 one-time
  • Commercial: $1,999

👉 Try Aiarty Image Matting Free

Many creators repurpose their cut-out images using an Adobe Express invitation maker to build polished, event-ready graphics.

Many creators repurpose their cut-out images using an Adobe Express invitation maker to build polished, event-ready graphics.

3. Remove BG

Remove.BG is a free AI background remover that’s very easy to use.

No need to spend hours cropping and using a smart lasso. Just drag and drop your image, and in about 5 seconds, it’s done.

Features

  • Background removal: Works for both images and videos.
  • Magic Brush: Edit images with this tool.
  • API & integrations: Developer access and tools.
  • Photoshop extension: For easy integration.
  • Platform support: Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.
  • Design templates: Pre-made templates for quick design tasks.
  • Video background removal: Removes backgrounds from videos.
  • Enterprise solutions: Custom services for large businesses.

Now I’ll show you my experience with the tool and how to use it.

My Experience

To remove a background with Remove.BG, just drag and drop your image into the view:

For example, here’s an image of me that I want to remove the background from:

After dragging and dropping the image, I got the result in just 3 seconds:

This is great—I didn’t even have to sign up.

The downside is that, as a free tool, it won’t give you the sharpest result. I could only download a small 500×500 version, which is much lower than the original quality. To get a higher resolution, you’ll need a paid plan.

It’s also not perfect. Background removal with AI can be hit or miss. If the image is complex, you can use the AI eraser to make the background removal more accurate.

Many users then export their clean cutouts into an invitation maker when preparing social posts or event promotions.

Price

Pay-as-you-go:

  • €0.90/image (1 credit)
  • €0.65/image (75 credits, €49)
  • €0.50/image (200 credits, €99)
  • €0.40/image (500 credits, €199)

Subscription Plans:

  • €9/month (40 credits, €0.20/image)
  • €39/month (200 credits, €0.23/image)
  • €89/month (500 credits, €0.20/image)
  • €189/month (1,200 credits, €0.18/image)
  • €389/month (2,800 credits, €0.14/image)

Try Remove.BG

4. Canva

Canva is a popular online design tool, and if you already use it, you might not know it has a background remover feature.

To remove a background in Canva, follow these steps:

First, drop an image into the view:

Then click the “BG Remover” button:

Then wait about 3 seconds for the AI to process your image:

Then enjoy the result:

Background removal in Canva is a paid feature, so if you’re not already on the paid plan, it might not be worth getting it just for that.

That said, Canva is a great tool for beginners like me, and I use it often for all kinds of design work—not just background removal.

For example, most of my YouTube thumbnails are made in Canva, and part of that process is removing the image background.

5. iOS Native Camera App

If you have an iPhone, you can remove a background right in iOS without downloading an app or visiting a website.

In the newer versions of iOS, just:

  1. Take a photo.
  2. Hold your finger on the object you want to extract.
  3. Tap “Copy” and paste it into a chat, note, or wherever you want.

Here’s a GIF of me doing it on my iPhone:

On your iPhone, open the image in the Camera app, hold your finger on the object you want to extract, and tap “Copy.”

Here’s my result:

As you can see, it’s not as good as the dedicated tools I’ve shown in this list.

But if you’re using iOS, it’s probably the easiest option.

Plus, there’s no limit on how many times you can use it, unlike online tools that quickly ask for payment.