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Background Eraser

An app that cuts the background out of a photo for free.

Photo & videoBackground removersCutouts and product photosFree plan+2 more
Get Background EraserBuild your own photo appFree plan

What Background Eraser does

Background Eraser from handyCloset is a long-running, no-frills cutout app. It removes the background with AI, then gives you an edge-following mode, a similar-color mode and manual erasing to clean things up. The result is a transparent image you can use as a sticker or in other editors. Free with ads.

One-tap AI cutout to a transparent background
Star mode that follows the subject's edges
Auto mode that erases similar colors
Manual erase and repair tools
Cutouts ready for stickers and collages
On iPhone and Android

The name says what it does. It's been on the App Store since 2014, made by a small studio, and it stays focused: open a photo, let the AI cutout make the background transparent, then fix the edges.

The cleanup tools are where it shines. Star mode follows the edges of your subject so you don't slip into it, Auto mode wipes out pixels that look alike (great for plain walls or skies), and manual erase and repair handle the rest. Use the cutout in a collage app, a sticker or a product shot.

It's free and shows ads. On iPhone, the separate Background Eraser Pro app costs $4.99 once and is ad-free. There are no fancy AI scenes or templates, so if you want a finished product photo, look at a seller-focused app instead.

Alternatives to Background Eraser

Adobe ExpressDesign app with a quick background remover built in
Background removersCutouts and product photos
Free, paid from $4.99/moFree plan
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PhotoroomClean product photos and cutouts for sellers, made on your phone
Background removersCutouts and product photos
Free, with paid extrasFree plan
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PixelcutCut out backgrounds and erase clutter, with free exports
Background removersObject and people removers
Free, paid from $10/moFree plan
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Superimpose+Cut out photos and stack them with text, no watermark
Cutouts and product photosBackground removers
Free, paid from $5.99/moFree plan
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Background Eraser: Bg Remover+AI cutouts with portrait, object and green-screen modes
Background removersCutouts and product photos
Free, paid from $6.99/moFree plan
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PicWishBackground remover, object eraser and ID photo maker in one
Background removersObject and people removers
Free, paid from $9.99/moFree plan
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Who it's for

Free, careful cutouts where you want control over the edges
Making transparent images to use in other apps

Skip it if: Anyone who can't stand ads (unless you buy the Pro app on iPhone).

Pricing

Free plan
Free

Background Eraser is free with ads on iPhone and Android. On iPhone, the separate Background Eraser Pro app costs $4.99 once and has no ads.

Prices can vary by country. Checked 17 Oct 2026.

What people like

  • Free on both iPhone and Android
  • Good mix of automatic and hands-on tools
  • One-time ad-free option on iPhone, no subscription
  • Small independent developer with a long track record

Watch out for

  • Ads in the free version
  • No backgrounds, templates or product photo extras
  • Updates are less frequent than the big apps

Want a cutout tool that does just what you need? Build your own.

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Try this idea: “an app where I pick a photo, it makes the background see-through, and I can erase or restore bits with my finger before saving”

Questions people ask

Is Background Eraser free?

Yes. It's free with ads on both iPhone and Android.

Does it remove backgrounds automatically?

Yes. An AI cutout does most of the work, then you can tidy up with the edge, color and manual tools.

How do I get rid of the ads?

On iPhone, buy the separate Background Eraser Pro app for $4.99 once. It's the same tool without ads.