Why bgeraser?

Online background removers make you upload your photos to their servers, add watermarks, limit you to a few free images, or charge per download. remove.bg's website is shutting down on 1 December 2026.

bgeraser does the same job on your own computer:

Get started in 3 steps

You need Python 3.9 or newer. Don't have it? Get it from python.org/downloads and tick "Add Python to PATH" during install.

Step 1 — Install (open Command Prompt / Terminal and run):

pip install "bgeraser[web]"

Step 2 — Start the app:

bgeraser serve

The first run downloads the AI model (about 170 MB, one time). Wait for model ready.

Step 3 — Open your browser at http://127.0.0.1:5000

Drop a photo, paste one with Ctrl+V, or click a sample. Drag the slider to compare, pick a background, download the PNG. Done.

Keep the Command Prompt window open while you use the app. Press Ctrl+C in it to stop.

What you can do

• Transparent PNG — the default, ready for design work
• Solid background — white, black, green screen, or any color you pick (product listings, ID photos, thumbnails)
• Before / after slider — check the result before you download
• Fine edges mode — extra care for hair and fur
• Mask export — --mask saves a grayscale layer mask so you can fix a cut-out by hand in GIMP, Photoshop or Krita. The PNG keeps every original pixel under the transparency, so nothing is ever lost.
• Batch a whole folder — one command, hundreds of images
• Use it from Python — a two-line API for your own scripts

Command line

bgeraser photo.jpg                       # → photo-nobg.png next to the original
bgeraser photo.jpg -o clean.png          # choose the output name
bgeraser photo.jpg --bg white            # solid background instead of transparent
bgeraser photo.jpg --bg "#00ff00"        # any hex color
bgeraser ./products                      # every image in a folder → ./products/nobg/
bgeraser ./products -o ./out --recursive # include sub-folders
bgeraser photo.jpg --mask                # also save photo-mask.png (layer mask for GIMP / Photoshop)
bgeraser photo.jpg --matting             # finer edges for hair / fur (slower)
bgeraser --model u2netp ./products       # fastest model for big batches
bgeraser models                          # list available models
bgeraser serve --port 8080               # web app on another port

Python

from bgeraser import remove_background, remove_background_bytes, process_folder, get_mask

remove_background("photo.jpg")                                  # → photo-nobg.png
remove_background("photo.jpg", "out.png", bg_color="white")     # flatten onto white
png_bytes = remove_background_bytes(open("photo.jpg", "rb").read())
process_folder("./products", "./products/out")                  # batch
mask = get_mask(Image.open("photo.jpg"))                        # grayscale mask (PIL "L")

How it works

1. An open-source segmentation model (ISNet / U²-Net, via rembg) finds the subject.
2. bgeraser cleans the mask: the subject is made fully solid (no see-through arms or legs), stray fragments are removed, holes are filled, and the outline keeps a soft, natural edge.
3. The result is saved as a PNG with transparency, or flattened onto the color you chose.

Everything runs locally on the CPU. A typical photo takes 1–3 seconds.

Models

Pick one with --model NAME or from the dropdown in the web app. Models download the first time you use them.

Tips for the best result

• Works best on photos with one clear subject — a person, product, pet, car or logo.
• Anything the subject is resting on (a table, a blanket) may be kept, because the AI treats it as part of the subject. Shoot on a plain floor or backdrop for a fully clean cut-out.
• Hair, fur and glass are the hardest cases. Try Fine edges (or --matting) on those.
• Results look "damaged"? Make sure you're on the default model, not u2netp.

FAQ

Is it really free? Yes. MIT licensed, no accounts, no limits.

Does it upload my photos anywhere? No. The model runs on your machine. You can unplug the internet after the first setup.

Does it need a GPU? No. It runs on any normal laptop CPU.

Windows / Mac / Linux? All three, anywhere Python runs.

Can I use it from my phone? Run bgeraser serve --host 0.0.0.0 on your PC, then open http://<your PC's IP>:5000 from a phone on the same Wi-Fi.

Contributing

Issues and pull requests are welcome. To work on it:

git clone https://github.com/guesttavrej/bgeraser
cd bgeraser
pip install -e ".[dev]"
pytest

License

MIT © Tavrej / Yonzon Studio. Built on rembg, ISNet and U²-Net.