remove.bg is shutting down on 1 December: what changes and what to use instead
For years, remove.bg was the default answer to a simple question: how do I get rid of this background? It was quick, it was reliable, and millions of people used it. That chapter is ending. On 1 December 2026 at 9:00 CET, the standalone remove.bg website stops, and its background removal moves into Canva.
If you use remove.bg, here is what changes, what happens to your credits and the API, and what your options are.
What is happening on 1 December 2026
remove.bg is not disappearing as a technology. It is being folded into Canva. In practice, that means three things:
- The standalone remove.bg website stops on 1 December 2026 at 9:00 CET.
- Website users are sent to Canva's background remover.
- The remove.bg API moves to Leonardo.Ai, which is also part of Canva.
The change is the same for everyone, but what it means for you depends on how you used remove.bg.
If you used the website
Most people used remove.bg the same way: open the site, drop in an image, download the result. After 1 December, that route leads to Canva's background remover.
Canva is a capable design platform, but it works differently. You need a Canva account to use it, and unlimited background removal is part of Canva Pro, which costs USD 144 per year. If you only need the occasional cut-out, that is a bigger commitment than you may have made before.
It is also worth remembering what the free remove.bg download actually was: a 0.25 megapixel preview. Full resolution cost credits. Many casual users were already working with small previews without realising it.
If you bought credits
This is the part that needs action. remove.bg pay-as-you-go credits can only be used until 1 December 2026. Unused credits expire after that date and are not refunded.
If you still have credits:
- Check your balance now.
- Spend them on the images you will need at full resolution, such as product photos and catalogue images.
- Download and keep the results, together with your original files.
After 1 December, you cannot spend what is left.
If you use the API
The remove.bg API moves to Leonardo.Ai. Developers and teams need a new account and a new API key, and the price is USD 0.1047 per image.
If remove.bg is built into your shop, your app or an internal tool, plan the switch before the deadline. Test the new setup, update your keys, and recalculate your monthly cost at the new per-image price.
Your options after 1 December
Here is how the main routes compare, using only facts that are published today.
| byebyebg | Canva (free) | Canva Pro | Leonardo.Ai API | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free | USD 144 per year | USD 0.1047 per image |
| Account | Not needed | Needed | Needed | New account and API key |
| Unlimited background removal | No credits or limits stated | Needs Canva Pro | Yes | Paid per image |
| Credits | None to buy or expire | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
There is no single right answer. If you already pay for Canva Pro and design inside Canva every day, its background remover may be the obvious choice. If you run an automated pipeline, the Leonardo.Ai API is the direct continuation of what you had. If you simply want a cut-out without an account, there is a simpler route.
Why byebyebg is an easy next step
byebyebg is a free background remover made by Endorr, a European software company for print professionals. It is powered by the PixlPilot AI and built for one job: removing backgrounds cleanly.
- Free. No account. Full resolution. There is no sign-up and no watermark. Downloads come at the full resolution of the image you upload.
- No credits that expire. There is nothing to buy, top up or lose.
- Large files. JPG, PNG and WebP up to 50 MB.
- Clean edges. AI matting with a soft alpha mask helps with hair, fur and fine edges.
- Your choice of background. Download a transparent PNG, or pick a solid background colour before you download.
How to switch
- Go to byebyebg.com.
- Drag in an image, paste it with Ctrl+V (Cmd+V on a Mac), or paste an image link.
- Let byebyebg remove the background.
- Choose a transparent PNG or a solid background colour.
- Download your image.
There is no account step. Bookmark the page and it will be there next time.
A short checklist before 1 December
- Use up any remove.bg credits you have paid for.
- Download any results you still need, and keep your originals.
- If you use the API, plan your move to Leonardo.Ai or another provider.
- Try your usual kind of image on byebyebg, so you know what to expect before you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I move my remove.bg credits to byebyebg?
No. remove.bg credits expire on 1 December 2026 and cannot be transferred. byebyebg doesn't use credits, so you don't need any.
Do I have to use Canva?
No. remove.bg sends its website users to Canva, but you are free to use whichever tool suits you.
Is byebyebg connected to remove.bg?
No. byebyebg is an independent tool made by Endorr. It is not affiliated with remove.bg, Canva or Leonardo.Ai.
Does byebyebg have an API?
Not today. byebyebg handles one image at a time in the browser.
The easy next step
remove.bg was a great tool, and it set the standard for one-click background removal. When its website stops on 1 December 2026, you don't have to create a new account or buy a subscription to keep making cut-outs. Try byebyebg, the free remove.bg alternative: free, no account, full resolution.