Still image · fact guide
Is remove.bg Shutting Down? What Changes on Dec 1, 2026
Updated
Yes—the standalone remove.bg website is announced to end on 1 December 2026, 09:00 CET. Official messaging directs image background removal toward Canva and API paths toward Leonardo.ai, with Enterprise API described as continuing under existing contracts. Unused PAYG credits are described as not carrying over—export what you need before the cutoff. Always re-read the remove.bg FAQ if wording changes. This page is a fact checklist, not a ranked “best alternative” list.
What the announcement describes
| Topic | Restatement (verify on the official FAQ) |
|---|---|
| Standalone site | Ends 1 December 2026, 09:00 CET (remove.bg public announcement / FAQ) |
| Images | Official path points to Canva for image background removal |
| API | Self-serve API path points to Leonardo.ai; follow their migration guidance |
| Enterprise | Enterprise API contracts are described as continuing—verify against your contract and account notices |
| PAYG | Unused pay-as-you-go credits are described as not carrying over and as expiring at the cutoff—download exports and check your balance |
| Verify | Trust the primary remove.bg FAQ over this summary if wording updates |
The date line to plan around is 1 December 2026, 09:00 CET. That is the standalone-site cutoff in the public announcement, not a claim that every Canva, Leonardo, or Enterprise workflow changes on the same minute. Account emails and the FAQ can add exceptions. If those sources disagree with this table, follow them.
Choosing a tool after the change depends on the job: browser stills, a Canva design file, an API integration, an Enterprise contract, or on-device software. A path-by-path decision table lives on What Should I Use Instead of remove.bg?. This page does not rank those paths.
ExportAlpha is not that migration. It is a browser tool for transparent PNG stills and transparent video (WebM VP9 alpha / ProRes 4444). It is not a drop-in remove.bg API replacement, not a Canva or Leonardo migration destination, and not an Enterprise contract substitute. If your workflow is an API key, a batch queue, or a design-suite plugin, follow the official Canva, Leonardo, or contract notice instead of treating this site as the successor.
Next step
Need a transparent PNG in the browser? Upload a photo on ExportAlpha and download PNG with alpha. Most new accounts: 5 free credits after Google sign-in. Trial stills capped at 5.
Need a transparent PNG in the browser?
Upload a photo and download PNG with alpha. This does not migrate a remove.bg API key.
Also: Open background remover
Google sign-in required · Failed jobs refund credits
Frequently Asked Questions
Is remove.bg shutting down completely or only the standalone site?
The announced change is that the standalone website ends on 1 December 2026, 09:00 CET. Official messaging directs images to Canva and API access to Leonardo.ai, with Enterprise API continuing under existing contracts. Confirm on the official FAQ.
What should I do before December 1, 2026?
Export anything you still need, check PAYG and subscription notes on your remove.bg account, and pick a path (Canva, Leonardo, Enterprise, or another still or video tool) that matches your workflow. Unused PAYG credits are described as not carrying over.
Does this page cover video background removal too?
remove.bg’s public messaging for this cutoff is centered on image background removal and API migration. For video that needs a real alpha channel (WebM / ProRes)—including after other stand-alone video tools change—see Unscreen alternative for true-alpha video and ExportAlpha’s video guides. ExportAlpha stills are on the background remover.
Ready when you are
Need a transparent PNG in the browser? Upload a photo and download PNG with alpha. Most new accounts get 5 free credits after Google sign-in. Trial stills capped at 5.
Also: Open background remover
Google sign-in required · Failed jobs refund credits