To remove a background for free without uploading your photo, use a tool that runs the cut-out model on your own device. In the JFDI image editor, open the picture, set Background to Remove, and download a transparent PNG. The AI model runs in your browser, so the photo never leaves your computer, and there are no credits, watermarks or sign-up.
How it works
Background removal uses a machine-learning model trained to find the main subject of a photo, such as a person, pet, product or object, and separate it from everything behind it. The image editor uses a model called IS-Net (from the DIS, “dichotomous image segmentation”, research project), compiled to run inside a web page.
The first time you use it, the editor downloads the model, about 44 MB, and your browser keeps it for next time. After that:
- With a graphics card your browser can use (most current computers, and recent iPhones and Android phones), a photo takes a second or two.
- Without one, it runs on your processor, which takes from a few seconds to about a minute per photo, depending on the device.
The line under the preview tells you which was used.
Most free background removers work differently: they upload the photo to a server, run the model there, and send back the result. remove.bg, for example, says it deletes uploads “at the latest about one hour after the upload” (remove.bg). Running the model locally means no upload at all.
Step by step
- Open the image editor and drop in one photo or a whole batch.
- Under Background, choose Remove.
- Pick the edge style: Soft for hair and fur, Crisp for products and objects. Tighten the edge trims a thin halo if you see one.
- Choose what replaces the background: transparent (saved as PNG, or WebP if you prefer) or a solid colour, such as white for marketplace listings.
- Touch up if needed with the brush button above the picture: paint with Remove over anything that should go, or Keep over anything that should stay.
- Download.
Where it works well, and where it doesn’t
| Works well | Needs touching up |
|---|---|
| People and portraits against any background | Busy scenes where the subject blends in |
| Pets, including fur (with Soft edges) | Glass, water and see-through objects |
| Products on a table or plain background | Veils, smoke and fine mesh |
| Cars, furniture, food | Several people when you only want one |
Plain background? Use One colour instead
For logos and product shots on a plain white or coloured background, the AI is overkill. Choose Background › One colour instead. The colour is picked automatically from the picture’s edges, and Only where it touches the edges (on by default) keeps the same colour inside the subject, such as the white of an eye or a white label. It’s often more precise than the AI for flat graphics.
Tips for better cut-outs
- Start from the largest version of the photo you have. More pixels means finer edges.
- Light the subject well and keep it in focus; a sharp edge against a blurred background is the easiest case.
- Save as WebP if the transparent PNG is too large for your website. WebP keeps transparency in a much smaller file.
- For marketplace photos, replace the background with pure white rather than transparent, since many listing sites require it.
Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes, with no limit on the number of photos and no watermark. Because the model runs on your device, it costs nothing to run.
Why is it slow?
Your browser is using your processor rather than your graphics card. It still works; leave the tab open and it will get through the batch. Chrome, Edge and Safari 26 or later use the graphics card on most devices.
Can I use the results commercially?
Yes. The pictures are yours.