Is there a free background removal API?

Yes. The Basic plan includes 100 background removal requests a month for free, with the same endpoints and output quality as the paid plans. It is enough to test every endpoint on your own images before choosing a plan.

How much does the background removal API cost per image?

The Pro plan costs $12.99 a month for 10,000 requests, about $0.0013 per image. Ultra is $49.99 for 50,000 ($0.001 per image) and Mega is $159.99 for 200,000 ($0.0008 per image). Background replacement endpoints use the same quota.

Is this a good remove.bg API alternative?

Yes. remove.bg closes its standalone site and API on 1 December 2026, and its API moves to Leonardo.ai at about $0.1047 per image. This API works the same way (one synchronous call, file upload or image URL) and costs about $0.0013 per image at 10,000 images a month, so most integrations switch in a few lines of code.

What does the API return?

A JSON response with image_url (a CDN link to the processed PNG), width, height and size_bytes. Download the PNG from image_url; the transparent result keeps the original image dimensions.

Can I remove backgrounds from product photos in bulk?

Yes. Each call processes one image, so send your catalog in parallel requests from a worker or a script. Plans scale up to 200,000 images a month, and the same API can put every product on a white or brand-colored background for marketplace listings.

How does the background removal API generate transparent PNGs?

The background removal API uses AI to detect the foreground subject and remove the background, producing a clean PNG with an alpha transparency channel. It handles complex edges like hair, fur, and semi-transparent objects for professional-quality cutouts.

Can I replace the background instead of removing it?

Yes. In addition to transparent background removal, the API offers dedicated endpoints to blur the background, replace it with a solid color (RGBA), or apply a vertical gradient. Each effect endpoint returns a processed PNG via a CDN URL.

What image formats and sizes does the background removal API support?

The API accepts JPEG, PNG, WebP, BMP, and TIFF images up to 10 MB. You can upload a file via multipart/form-data or pass a public image URL via JSON. Output is always a high-quality PNG delivered through a CDN link.

Computer VisionFree tier available

Background Removal API: Remove Image Backgrounds in One Call

Remove image backgrounds automatically in seconds. Upload a photo or pass a URL and get back a clean PNG with a transparent background, no manual selection needed. Also replace backgrounds with a blur, a solid color, a gradient or your own image, from $0.0013 per image.

Start Free on RapidAPI See Demo

See It in Action

Drag the slider to compare the original image with the processed result. Switch between endpoints below.

Background removed, transparent PNG - after

Background removed, transparent PNG - before

Original

Remove Background

Features

High Accuracy

Handles people, products, animals, complex scenes, and fine details like hair, fur, and semi-transparent objects.

Fast Processing

Optimized for low latency. Get results in seconds with our production-ready inference pipeline.

Flexible Input

Upload a file via multipart or pass a public image URL via JSON. Both work the same way.

Background Effects

Go beyond removal: blur, solid color, or gradient backgrounds with dedicated endpoints.

Multiple Formats

Supports JPEG, PNG, WebP, BMP, TIFF and other common image formats. Up to 10 MB.

Cloud-Based

No GPU needed on your end. Fully managed cloud infrastructure handles the processing.

API Reference

5 endpoints, simple integration. Here's everything you need.

Supported Content Types

multipart/form-dataapplication/jsonapplication/x-www-form-urlencoded

POSThttps://background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com/remove-background

Remove the background from an image. Returns a PNG with transparent background (RGBA).

imagefilerequired

Image file (JPEG, PNG, WebP, etc.), sent as multipart/form-data

image_urlstringrequired

Public URL of the image to process, sent as application/json

Send either image (file upload) or image_url (JSON/form), not both.

POSThttps://background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com/blur-background

Blur the background while keeping the foreground subject sharp. Returns a PNG image.

imagefilerequired

Image file (JPEG, PNG, WebP, etc.)

image_urlstringrequired

Public URL of the image to process

blur_radiusinteger

Blur intensity, 1 (subtle) to 50 (heavy). Default: 15

Send either image or image_url, not both.

POSThttps://background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com/color-background

Replace the background with a solid color. Returns a PNG image.

imagefilerequired

Image file (JPEG, PNG, WebP, etc.)

image_urlstringrequired

Public URL of the image to process

bg_colorstringrequired

Background color as R,G,B,A (each 0-255), e.g. 255,140,0,255

Send either image or image_url, not both.

POSThttps://background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com/gradient-background

Replace the background with a vertical gradient (top to bottom). Returns a PNG image.

imagefilerequired

Image file (JPEG, PNG, WebP, etc.)

image_urlstringrequired

Public URL of the image to process

top_colorstringrequired

Top gradient color as R,G,B,A (each 0-255)

bottom_colorstringrequired

Bottom gradient color as R,G,B,A (each 0-255)

Send either image or image_url, not both.

POSThttps://background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com/image-background

Replace the background with a background image of your choice, composited server-side. Returns a PNG image.

imagefilerequired

Subject image file (JPEG, PNG, WebP, etc.)

image_urlstringrequired

Public URL of the subject image to process

bg_imagefilerequired

Background image file to composite the subject onto

bg_image_urlstringrequired

Public URL of the background image (use instead of bg_image)

Send the subject as image or image_url, and the background as bg_image or bg_image_url.

Response

200

Returns JSON with image_url (CDN link to the processed PNG), width, height, and size_bytes.

Limits

Maximum image size: 10 MB
Supported formats: JPEG, PNG, WebP, BMP, TIFF
Output format: PNG
URL download timeout: 10 seconds

Quick Start

Copy-paste code to get started in seconds. Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RapidAPI key.

# File upload
curl -X POST "https://background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com/remove-background" \
  -H "x-rapidapi-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "x-rapidapi-host: background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com" \
  -F "image=@photo.jpg"

# Response:
# {"image_url":"https://images.ai-engine.net/background-removal-ai/<id>.png",
#  "width":1037,"height":1555,"size_bytes":1810897}

# Download the transparent PNG
curl -o result.png "IMAGE_URL_FROM_RESPONSE"

# JSON with URL
curl -X POST "https://background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com/remove-background" \
  -H "x-rapidapi-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "x-rapidapi-host: background-removal-ai.p.rapidapi.com" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"image_url": "https://example.com/photo.jpg"}'

Background Removal API Pricing Compared

What 10,000 images a month costs on the cheapest plan that covers them, from each provider's public pricing page.

API	10,000 images / month	Cost per image
AI Engine (Pro)	$12.99	$0.0013
Pixian.AI (2 MP images)	~$24	$0.0024
Poof	$29	$0.0029
PhotoRoom	$200	$0.02
Slazzer	$518	$0.052
remove.bg API via Leonardo.ai	~$1,047	$0.1047
Clipdrop (credit packs)	$1,600	$0.16

Higher volumes cost even less: $0.001 per image on Ultra (50,000 a month) and $0.0008 on Mega (200,000 a month). Background replacement (blur, color, gradient, image) is included at the same price.
remove.bg closes its standalone site and API on 1 December 2026. Our API keeps the same one-call, multipart model, so switching takes a few lines: migrate from the remove.bg API.
Free tiers, features and trade-offs of each provider are covered in the best background removal APIs comparison.

Pricing

Start free, scale as you grow. All plans include full API access with no credit card required for the free tier.

Free

Basic

$0Free

100 requests/mo

Full API access
All endpoints
Standard support

Pro

$12.99/mo

10,000 requests/mo

Full API access
All endpoints
Standard support

Recommended

Ultra

$49.99/mo

50,000 requests/mo

Full API access
All endpoints
Standard support

Mega

$159.99/mo

200,000 requests/mo

Full API access
All endpoints
Standard support

View Full Pricing on RapidAPI

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a free background removal API?: Yes. The Basic plan includes 100 background removal requests a month for free, with the same endpoints and output quality as the paid plans. It is enough to test every endpoint on your own images before choosing a plan.
How much does the background removal API cost per image?: The Pro plan costs $12.99 a month for 10,000 requests, about $0.0013 per image. Ultra is $49.99 for 50,000 ($0.001 per image) and Mega is $159.99 for 200,000 ($0.0008 per image). Background replacement endpoints use the same quota.
Is this a good remove.bg API alternative?: Yes. remove.bg closes its standalone site and API on 1 December 2026, and its API moves to Leonardo.ai at about $0.1047 per image. This API works the same way (one synchronous call, file upload or image URL) and costs about $0.0013 per image at 10,000 images a month, so most integrations switch in a few lines of code.
What does the API return?: A JSON response with image_url (a CDN link to the processed PNG), width, height and size_bytes. Download the PNG from image_url; the transparent result keeps the original image dimensions.
Can I remove backgrounds from product photos in bulk?: Yes. Each call processes one image, so send your catalog in parallel requests from a worker or a script. Plans scale up to 200,000 images a month, and the same API can put every product on a white or brand-colored background for marketplace listings.
How does the background removal API generate transparent PNGs?: The background removal API uses AI to detect the foreground subject and remove the background, producing a clean PNG with an alpha transparency channel. It handles complex edges like hair, fur, and semi-transparent objects for professional-quality cutouts.
Can I replace the background instead of removing it?: Yes. In addition to transparent background removal, the API offers dedicated endpoints to blur the background, replace it with a solid color (RGBA), or apply a vertical gradient. Each effect endpoint returns a processed PNG via a CDN URL.
What image formats and sizes does the background removal API support?: The API accepts JPEG, PNG, WebP, BMP, and TIFF images up to 10 MB. You can upload a file via multipart/form-data or pass a public image URL via JSON. Output is always a high-quality PNG delivered through a CDN link.

Tutorials & Guides

Learn how to integrate this API with step-by-step tutorials and real-world use cases.

TutorialNov 10, 2026

Remove Video Background in Python with an API

Remove a video background in Python: extract frames with ffmpeg, cut out each one with an API, and rebuild a transparent WebM or a new MP4. Tested code.

Read article

GuideNov 3, 2026

Photoroom API Pricing per Image and a Lower-Cost Alternative

Photoroom's remove background API costs $0.02 per image, $0.10 on Plus. See how it compares to Clipdrop, plus a drop-in Python alternative.

Read article

GuideOct 18, 2026

Can AI Make Transparent PNGs? Gemini, ChatGPT, Grok

Gemini (nano banana), Grok and Midjourney give you a painted checkerboard, not real transparency. See which tools can, and how to get a true transparent PNG.

Read article

GuideOct 14, 2026

Clipdrop API Pricing in 2026 and a Cheaper Alternative

Clipdrop's remove background API costs $0.144 to $0.50 per image in credit packs. See its docs, limits and a drop-in alternative at $0.0013 per image.

Read article

GuideOct 7, 2026

remove.bg API Shutting Down: Migrate Your Code in 10 Minutes

The remove.bg API stops on 1 December 2026. Map every parameter to a new API, swap one function, and keep background removal running in production.

Read article

GuideJun 12, 2026

Marketplace Product Image Pipeline: Moderate, Clean, Tag

Process seller-uploaded product images for a marketplace with three APIs in one Python pipeline: screen for prohibited content, remove the background, and auto-tag for search.

Read article

GuideJun 6, 2026

High-Volume Background Removal API for Product Catalogs

Integrate a background removal API into your product catalog pipeline: concurrent batches, white backgrounds, square catalog images. Tested Python code.

Read article

GuideMar 8, 2026

rembg vs Cloud API for Background Removal: How to Choose

Compare rembg and transparent-background to a cloud background removal API. Side-by-side results, benchmarks, and code examples.

Read article

TutorialJun 20, 2025

Transparent Background PNG: Create Image Cutouts with an API

Create transparent background PNGs with a background removal API. Covers edge quality, batch processing, and code examples in Python and JavaScript.

Read article

GuideJun 1, 2025

Best Background Removal APIs in 2026: Pricing Compared

Compare background removal APIs in 2026: cost per image at 10,000 images a month, free tiers, and what the remove.bg API shutdown means for your app.

Read article

TutorialMay 12, 2025

How to Remove Image Backgrounds with an API

Remove image backgrounds with a REST API in Python, cURL, or JavaScript. One call for a transparent PNG, plus white, blurred, and gradient backgrounds, with verified code.

Read article

Start Using Background Removal Today

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