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Image editing & upscalingMITPython

rembg

Remove image backgrounds from the command line, Python or an HTTP server.

GitHub
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25.1K
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2
Last commit
2026-10-10

Live from the GitHub API · updated 2026-10-15

What is rembg?

rembg removes backgrounds with models such as U²-Net, IS-Net and BiRefNet. Use it as a CLI, a Python library, an HTTP server or a Docker container — handy for batch-processing product photos.

Key features

  • CLI, Python library and HTTP server
  • Multiple segmentation models (u2net, isnet, birefnet, sam)
  • Batch folder mode and alpha matting
  • Docker image

System requirements

Platforms
Windows · macOS · Linux · Docker
GPU
Optional (CPU works; install the gpu extra for CUDA)
Python
3.10+

How to install rembg

Summarized from the project’s README. Projects change quickly — check the GitHub page for the latest instructions.

pip

  1. 1
    Install with the CLI extra (use [gpu,cli] for CUDA).
    pip install "rembg[cpu,cli]"
  2. 2
    Remove a background.
    rembg i input.png output.png
  3. 3
    Process a whole folder.
    rembg p input_folder output_folder

Docker

  1. 1
    Run against files in the current directory.
    docker run -v .:/data danielgatis/rembg i /data/input.png /data/output.png

Strengths

  • Scriptable and fast
  • MIT license

Limitations

  • No GUI
  • Hair and transparent objects can be imperfect

rembg alternatives compared

SoftwareStarsLicensePlatformsVRAM
rembg

Remove image backgrounds from the command line, Python or an HTTP server.

25.1KMIT—
BiRefNet

High-resolution dichotomous segmentation — state-of-the-art background removal.

4.3KMIT—
IOPaint

Erase objects, watermarks and people with AI inpainting (formerly Lama Cleaner).

23.3KApache-2.0—
Upscayl

Free desktop app that upscales images with AI.

50.6KAGPL-3.0—
Real-ESRGAN

Practical image and video super-resolution models.

37.1KBSD-3-Clause—
GFPGAN

Blind face restoration for old and low-quality photos.

37.7KApache-2.0—

FAQ

Is rembg free?

Yes — rembg is open-source software released under the MIT license. Check the license (and any model weight licenses) before commercial use.

Does rembg run on Windows, Mac and Linux?

rembg supports: Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker.

What hardware do I need for rembg?

Optional (CPU works; install the gpu extra for CUDA)

How do I install rembg?

1. Install with the CLI extra (use [gpu,cli] for CUDA). 2. Remove a background. 3. Process a whole folder.

What are the best rembg alternatives?

Popular alternatives include BiRefNet, IOPaint, Upscayl, Real-ESRGAN. See the comparison table on this page.

Can I use rembg online without installing it?

If you just want results, AiLoft runs top image models such as GPT Image 2.5 and Nano Banana Pro in the browser — no GPU or setup required.

Skip the install — generate images in your browser

No GPU, drivers or Python needed. Use GPT Image 2.5 and Nano Banana Pro online and compare them side by side.

AI Image Generator
Open-source AI image editing, upscaling & restoration tools