Free Background Removal API
An API for background removal that never requires uploading your images to our servers. We ship the model as a self-hosted package you run inside your own infrastructure — you get remove.bg-style output with data-center-grade privacy.
Why We're Building This
Every existing background-removal API (remove.bg, Clipdrop, PhotoRoom) sends your images to their servers and charges per image. For e-commerce catalog teams and apps handling customer photos, that means two problems: cost that scales with volume and sensitive images leaving your control.
BgClear's API packages the same in-browser model into a self-hosted container. You run it in your own cloud or on-premise, your images never cross a network boundary you don't control, and there are no per-image fees.
How It Works
- Deploy the container in your environment (Docker, Kubernetes, or serverless).
- Send image bytes to the local endpoint —
POST /v1/remove-background. - Receive a transparent (or white-filled) PNG with alpha mask metadata.
Planned Pricing Model
| Plan | Price | What you get | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community | $0 | Non-commercial, self-hosted, rate-limited | Public release |
| Startup | TBD | Commercial, one-time license, no per-image fees | Invite-only |
| Enterprise | TBD | SLA, audit logs, support | Invite-only |
Roadmap
- Docker image and Helm chart
- Batch endpoint for up to 10,000 images per run
- Automatic background color replacement (white, brand colors)
- Webhook for long-running jobs
API vs Alternatives: BgClear vs Remove.bg vs Clipdrop
| Feature | BgClear API | Remove.bg API | Clipdrop API |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free community tier + one-time license (TBD for commercial) | Pay-per-image (~$0.019) or $49/mo plan | $9–$49/mo subscription + credits |
| Free Tier Limits | Unlimited (self-hosted, rate-limited community plan) | 50 free images / month | Limited trial credits |
| Response Speed | <100ms (local inference) | 1–3 seconds (cloud) | ~1–2 seconds (cloud) |
| Max Image Size | No hard limit (depends on your hardware) | 25 megapixels | 10 megapixels |
| Privacy / Hosting | Self-hosted, images never leave your infra | Cloud upload required | Cloud upload required |
* Data as of 2026; actual limits may vary. BgClear prioritizes volume users who want to avoid per-image costs.
Code Examples — How to Call the Background Removal API
cURL Example
curl -X POST https://api.yourdomain.com/v1/remove-background \
-H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
-F "image=@/path/to/photo.jpg" \
--output transparent.pngJavaScript (fetch) Example
const formData = new FormData();
formData.append('image', file); // from <input type="file">
const res = await fetch('https://api.yourdomain.com/v1/remove-background', {
method: 'POST',
headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' },
body: formData
});
const blob = await res.blob();
// Use the blob as <img src> or downloadReplace the endpoint with your self-hosted URL. API key is sent via waitlist invite.
Join the Waitlist
Get Early Access
Leave your email and we'll invite you the week the API opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to get a background removal API key?
Join the waitlist on this page. We'll email you a private API key and self-hosted Docker image when the invite-only beta opens in 2026. No credit card required for early access.
Is there a free background removal API?
Yes. BgClear offers a free Community tier for non-commercial self-hosted use with rate limits. Commercial plans are one-time license with no per-image fees — unlike pay-per-use alternatives.
What is the pricing for background removal API?
Community plan is free. Startup and Enterprise plans use transparent one-time licensing instead of per-image billing. Exact pricing will be shared with waitlist members before launch.
How is this different from Remove.bg API?
Remove.bg requires cloud upload and charges per image processed. BgClear's background removal API is self-hosted: you run the model in your own infrastructure so images never leave your control and there are no usage-based fees.