How do I remove a video background and keep it transparent?
The easiest way is an AI video background remover that writes a real alpha channel, not a new color behind the subject. Upload the clip, let the model separate the person from every frame, then download transparent WebM (VP9, yuva420p) for Chrome, Firefox, and OBS, or ProRes 4444 MOV for Premiere, Resolve, Final Cut, and After Effects. Everyday H.264 MP4 cannot hold transparency, so avoid any tool that only offers MP4.
Updated
Remove the background and keep the alpha
Upload a clip and download transparent WebM or ProRes 4444 MOV. Google sign-in. Files are deleted 7 days after processing.
5 free credits on first sign-in for most new accounts. Trial stills capped at 5. No card required. Fair-use limits apply.
Three steps
- Upload. Use MP4, MOV, WebM, or M4V, up to 60 seconds, 1080p, and 200 MB. Sign in with Google. One job runs at a time.
- The model removes the background. You do not paint a mask or set up a green screen. The result is a matte, not a filled-in scene.
- Download WebM or ProRes. WebM is the default, up to 60 seconds. ProRes 4444 MOV is limited to 8 seconds. Put the file over a colored page or a colored timeline layer. If the color shows through, the alpha is there.
Three ways to get a transparent video
| Route | Needs green screen? | Output with alpha | Typical tools | Good for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI web remover | No | WebM or ProRes, depending on the tool | ExportAlpha, and other web removers | A short clip, no install | Length and resolution caps. Check that the file is really alpha, not a filled MP4. |
| Desktop rotoscoping | No | ProRes 4444, or a PNG sequence from the editor | After Effects Roto Brush, DaVinci Resolve | Frame-level control | Learning curve and a desktop app. ExportAlpha does not export a PNG sequence. |
| Chroma key | Yes | Whatever alpha format the editor or FFmpeg writes | OBS, Resolve, Premiere, FFmpeg chromakey | Studio footage shot on a screen | Needs even lighting. Spill and hair are common failures. |
This table is a method comparison, not a ranking.
Which export to pick
| Where it plays | Export |
|---|---|
| Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or OBS | VP9 WebM with alpha, up to 60 seconds |
| Premiere, Resolve, Final Cut, After Effects | ProRes 4444 MOV, up to 8 seconds. Longer clips: export WebM, or cut the shot into pieces the editor can hold as ProRes. |
| A web page that must be transparent in Safari | HEVC with alpha, which ExportAlpha does not export. See transparent video for Safari and Chrome. |
When ExportAlpha is not the right tool
- The clip is longer than 60 seconds, or you need 4K.
- You need a live webcam key or a stream plugin. This is a file upload.
- You need a GIF, an animated WebP, or a PNG sequence. Those exports are not offered.
- You need a public API or a batch of jobs. One job runs at a time. There is no public API.
- The page must be transparent in Safari. That needs HEVC-with-alpha from another encoder.
Edges can flicker when a mask is guessed one frame at a time. See why AI video background removal flickers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a video background without a green screen?
Yes. ExportAlpha separates the subject with a video model, so the clip does not need a green screen. A flat green or blue screen can still be keyed in an editor or with FFmpeg. A real room, street, or office is the case this tool is for.
Which format keeps the transparency: WebM, MOV, or MP4?
Transparent WebM (VP9, yuva420p) for Chrome, Firefox, and OBS. ProRes 4444 MOV for Premiere, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut, and After Effects. Everyday H.264 MP4 does not store an alpha channel. ExportAlpha does not export HEVC-with-alpha.
How long can the video be?
Transparent WebM exports support clips up to 60 seconds. ProRes 4444 MOV export is limited to 8 seconds. Use WebM for longer clips. Uploads are also limited to 1080p and 200 MB, with one job at a time.
Is it free?
Most new accounts get 5 free credits on first sign-in. 1 credit = 1 video second, rounded to the nearest whole second, so those credits cover up to 5 seconds of video. No card is required. Fair-use limits apply.
Why does my transparent video look black after download?
Usually the file never stored an alpha channel, or the player composites transparency onto black. Check the file in an editor or in Chrome over a colored page. The guide Why does my exported video lose transparency and turn black? walks through the causes.
Can I use it on my phone?
There is no iPhone or Android app. The site is a responsive web page with a normal file input. A phone-sized browser window on the live site shows that control. The full upload, processing, and download flow has not been verified on a physical phone. Transparent WebM preview is turned off on iPhone, iPad, and Safari.
Sources
- Apple ProRes, including which codecs carry alpha: Apple support (retrieved October 9, 2026)
- WebKit bug 275908, grey background rather than transparent, status NEW: WebKit Bugzilla (retrieved October 9, 2026)
- ExportAlpha limits and method: Sources
Upload a clip
Transparent WebM for the web and OBS, or ProRes 4444 for an editor. Five free credits on first sign-in for most new accounts.
5 free credits on first sign-in for most new accounts. Trial stills capped at 5. No card required. Fair-use limits apply.
Related guides
- What free tools can export a transparent WebM with alpha?
- How do I convert an MP4 with a solid background into a transparent WebM?
- How do I make one transparent video work in both Safari and Chrome?
- Why does my exported video lose transparency and turn black?
- How do I make a transparent overlay for OBS?
- What is an Unscreen alternative for true-alpha video?
- Which video formats support transparency?