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Test scope & comparison notes
These are recorded facts, not a unified ranking. Tested tiers and scope are not consistently recorded. Read pricing with its date and timing with its conditions. Privacy observations reflect visible flows and statements, not a security audit.
Cross-task capability coverage across selected products
Each product is scored independently per task edge; switch tasks below while keeping shared products selected| Task edge | remove.bg | Icons8 | Switch / compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background removal | 89/100 500 × 500 · PNG | 73/100 2048 × 2048 · PNG | Active task |
| Image upscaling | Not tested in topic | 66/100 1024 × 1024 · PNG | Compare in task topic → |
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Browse this task →| Criterion | remove.bg Background removal 89/100 Seven-aspect task score Detailed hair handling and a simple download flow are offset by 500px free output and paid HD; size limits appear on the result page. Tested export 500 × 500 · PNG Historical test · 2026-10-15 | Icons8 Background Remover Background removal 73/100 Seven-aspect task score Trial limits are disclosed upfront, with full-size output and batch support without login; only three free trials and a notification prompt limit convenience. Tested export 2048 × 2048 · PNG Historical test · 2026-10-17 |
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| Pricing & rules | ||
| Pricing plans | Current public standalone website plans: free, pay-as-you-go, monthly and enterprise (dollar pricing) · 2026-10-20 Plan · source date Monthly / one-time Annual bill / period Quota & limits Free website previews2026-10-20 ↗ Free Free Free Website previews are free; high-resolution export is separate Pay-as-you-go 3 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 3 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 3 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Pay-as-you-go 10 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 9 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 10 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Pay-as-you-go 75 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 49 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 75 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Pay-as-you-go 200 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 99 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 200 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Pay-as-you-go 500 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 199 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 500 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Pay-as-you-go 1200 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 399 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 1200 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Pay-as-you-go 4000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 999 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 4000 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Pay-as-you-go 8000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 1,699 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 8000 credits; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [1] Subscription 40 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 9/month — Monthly 40 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 200 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 39/month — Monthly 200 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 500 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 89/month — Monthly 500 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 1200 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 189/month — Monthly 1200 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 2800 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 389/month — Monthly 2800 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 5000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 589/month — Monthly 5000 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 7500 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 789/month — Monthly 7500 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 10000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 989/month — Monthly 10000 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 15000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 1,389/month — Monthly 15000 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 25000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 2,150/month — Monthly 25000 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 50000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 3,950/month — Monthly 50000 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] Subscription 75000 credits2026-10-20 ↗ USD 5,450/month — Monthly 75000 credits/month; 1 credit per full-resolution removal Rules [2] 23 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded. Every displayed tier was expanded. Taxes depend on checkout. The FAQ mentions annual subscriptions but the current cards do not offer an annual price. Successor Canva and Leonardo plans are separate. Cancellation, sources & verification recordCancel in account settings; access continues to the current period end. Refund terms were not separately checked. Official plans and usage terms ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗ · Capture 2 ↗ | Icons8 web background remover: monthly, annual and prepaid, excluding API · 2026-10-20 Plan · source date Monthly / one-time Annual bill / period Quota & limits Minimum prepaid package2026-10-20 ↗ USD 10 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time Minimum charge $10; at the listed $0.20/image this equals 50 images; use anytime Limited2026-10-20 ↗ USD 9/month USD 90/year Monthly 100 images/month; unused credits roll over Annual 100 images/month; unused credits roll over Prepaid $502026-10-20 ↗ USD 50 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 250 images at the listed $0.20/image; use anytime Prepaid $1002026-10-20 ↗ USD 100 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 500 images at the listed $0.20/image; use anytime Prepaid $2002026-10-20 ↗ USD 200 · one-time payment Usage / one-time Usage / one-time 1,000 images at the listed $0.20/image; use anytime 9 plan / billing-period records, all listed; — means that period is not recorded. Prepaid entry confirms a $10 minimum and $50/$100/$200/custom choices. Displayed discounted prices are retained. Reviewed general terms assign applicable taxes to the user but do not specify background-remover subscription refund/cancellation details, which remain unconfirmed. Verification has gaps; unknown prices and quotas are not inferred. Cancellation, sources & verification recordCancellation and refund terms follow official checkout and help policies. Official plans and usage terms ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗ · Capture 2 ↗ Minimum prepaid charge and amount choices ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗ Relevant official terms excerpts ↗ · 2026-10-20 Capture 1 ↗ |
| Free & trial allowance on the test date | Unlimited guest 500×500 previews; new registered accounts typically receive 1 free HD Credit | Anonymous visitors get 3 free demo background removals at full resolution; additional images cost $0.20/image or $9/mo |
| Cancellation & refunds | Cancel in account settings; access continues to the current period end. Refund terms were not separately checked. | Cancellation and refund terms follow official checkout and help policies. |
| Disclosure of costs & limits | Disclosed on the result page download menu ('500×500 Free' vs '2048×2048 Unlock') before downloading | Disclosed upfront in the landing page hero subtitle ("Try it with 3 demo removes") |
| Task quality | ||
| Measured fixture results | Edge error MAD: 0.08 (Lower is better) · Global error SAD(k): 30.687 (Lower is better) · Foreground retention: 99.870% (Higher is better) · Background residue: 0.034% (Lower is better) | Edge error MAD: 0.1653 (Lower is better) · Global error SAD(k): 52.608 (Lower is better) · Foreground retention: 99.070% (Higher is better) · Background residue: 0.260% (Lower is better) |
| Fixture findings | Fine translucent hair transitions; a little background remains between strands in this test. | Clean subject contours and free full-size output in the record; the finest flyaway hairs are cut sharply. |
| Original historical observation | Delicate semi-transparent hair transitions (mad_band=0.0802, SAD(k)=30.7); left curly hair gap retained a tiny patch of background foliage (bg_leak=0.034%). | Clean main subject and inner curl separation (99.07% foreground recall) with slightly firmer outer flyaway cutoffs (mad_band=0.1653) at full 2048×2048 native resolution. |
| Suitable uses · historical assessment | Complex hair portraits and production workflows needing smooth semi-transparent alpha transitions (with paid HD or small previews) | Designers needing 1–3 full-resolution 2048×2048 unwatermarked cutouts without creating an account |
| Result & output evidence | ||
| Delivery capabilities | ||
| Recorded export specifications | 500 × 500 · PNG · No watermark in test | 2048 × 2048 · PNG · No watermark in test |
| Historical specification note · not an official maximum | 2048×2048 (1 Credit / paid unlocks up to 25MP; free preview tier is 500×500) | 2048×2048 (Unwatermarked 2048×2048 RGBA PNG within 3 free guest demo removals) |
| Watermark observation | None (free tier is gated by 0.25MP resolution cap) | No watermark |
| Batch & API | Desktop app, API, and Photoshop/Figma plugins support batch processing | Batch upload up to 500 images, REST API, Mac app, and Figma/Photoshop plugins |
| Recorded free-tier dimensions | 500 × 500 | 2048 × 2048 |
| Attached file dimensions | 500 × 500 · PNG | 2048 × 2048 · PNG |
| Speed & reliability | ||
| Timing observation | Network-observed server wait: 1.99s · End-to-end reference: 7.28s | Network-observed server wait: 7.4s · End-to-end reference: 10.2s |
| Date & fixture | 2026-10-15 · anchor_bgremove_v1 · US-West (California, AS2914) | 2026-10-17 · anchor_bgremove_v1 · US-West (California, AS2914) |
| Repeated tests & reliability | No standardized repetition count, success rate or variability range is recorded. | No standardized repetition count, success rate or variability range is recorded. |
| Interaction experience | ||
| Account requirements | No login in this test | No login in this test |
| Sign-in methods | No login required for 500×500 preview; full HD requires sign-in (Google / Canva / Email) and 1 Credit | No login required for 3 full-res demo images; supports Email / Google / GitHub sign-in |
| Manual adjustment | Manual erase / adjustment recorded in the historical flow | Not verified |
| Interaction observations | Clean, restrained UI with no blocking popups; clicking the free preview downloads immediately without forced paywall modals. | Triggers a browser notification permission prompt during upload to alert when background processing completes, but allows direct 2048×2048 unwatermarked export within the 3-image demo quota without forced signup. |
| Background & reputation | ||
| Service lifecycle notice | The standalone website closes on 1 December 2026 at 09:00 CET; pay-as-you-go credits expire at the same time. | Not verified |
| Operator | Kaleido AI GmbH (part of Canva) | Icons8 LLC |
| Recorded origin | Vienna, Austria / Sydney, Australia (Canva) | New York, USA (Global Distributed Team) |
| Domain history record | Launched 2018 | 2012–Present |
| Background & reputation assessment | Kaleido AI GmbH (Vienna, Austria; acquired by Canva in 2021), the long-standing industry benchmark. | Developed by Icons8 LLC (founded in 2012 by Ivan Boyko, creator of Pichon, Lunacy, Smart Upscaler, and Generated Photos). |
| External reputation record | Pioneer of one-click AI background removal; rock-solid alpha quality, though free preview is capped at 500×500 and standalone site sunsets on 2026-12-01. | Not verified |
| Engineering & privacy | ||
| Processing location | Uploaded for cloud processing | Uploaded for cloud processing |
| Third-party tracking record | Google Analytics · Canva Telemetry | Not verified |
| Engineering & privacy assessment | Rock-solid reliability; privacy policy explicitly states uploaded images are automatically deleted within ~1 hour after processing. | Supports batch drag-and-drop up to 500 images (JPG/PNG/WebP) via the ai-cdn.icons8.com async pipeline, plus native Mac app, Figma/Photoshop plugins, and REST API. |
| Retention statement | Claims deletion within 60 minutes; deletion not independently verified | Explicit retention period unconfirmed; inspect policy record |
| Evaluation basis | ||
| Pricing transparency | 28 / 40 Hero headline says '100% Automatically and Free' without stating the pixel cap up front, but the download menu clearly lists 'Preview 500×500 Free' alongside '2048×2048 Unlock' before clicking. | 29 / 35 The landing page (01_landing.png) explicitly states "Try it with 3 demo removes" in the hero subtitle. Anonymous guests can upload and download full 2048×2048 unwatermarked RGBA PNG cutouts (02_workspace.png) for up to 3 demo images before hitting the "$0.20 per image / $9 per month" paywall (03_download.png). |
| Interaction restraint | 18 / 20 Clean, restrained UI with no blocking popups; clicking the free preview downloads immediately without forced paywall modals. | 24 / 30 Triggers a browser notification permission prompt during upload to alert when background processing completes, but allows direct 2048×2048 unwatermarked export within the 3-image demo quota without forced signup. |
| Background & reputation | 25 / 25 Kaleido AI GmbH (Vienna, Austria; acquired by Canva in 2021), the long-standing industry benchmark. | 19 / 20 Developed by Icons8 LLC (founded in 2012 by Ivan Boyko, creator of Pichon, Lunacy, Smart Upscaler, and Generated Photos). |
| Engineering & privacy | 15 / 15 Rock-solid reliability; privacy policy explicitly states uploaded images are automatically deleted within ~1 hour after processing. | 12 / 15 Supports batch drag-and-drop up to 500 images (JPG/PNG/WebP) via the ai-cdn.icons8.com async pipeline, plus native Mac app, Figma/Photoshop plugins, and REST API. |
| Task quality | 57.5 / 65 Transition band error mad_band=0.08 · Global SAD(k)=30.687 · Foreground recall 99.87% / Background leak 0.034% | 38.6 / 65 Transition band error mad_band=0.1653 · Global SAD(k)=52.608 · Foreground recall 99.07% / Background leak 0.260% |
| Deliverable specifications | 20 / 20 True Alpha channel (8/8); Max deliverable spec: 2048×2048 (1 Credit / paid unlocks up to 25MP; free preview tier is 500×500) | 20 / 20 True Alpha channel (8/8); Max deliverable spec: 2048×2048 (Unwatermarked 2048×2048 RGBA PNG within 3 free guest demo removals) |
| Processing speed | 13 / 15 Network-observed server wait: 1.99s (API mode: async; network upload 4.3s / end-to-end 7.28s shown for reference only, never penalized) | 10 / 15 Network-observed server wait: 7.4s (API mode: async; network upload 1.6s / end-to-end 10.2s shown for reference only, never penalized) |
