As photo compositing is becoming more and more popular, our customers routinely ask us how to cut photos out of their backgrounds or simply want to outsource the extractions for use in our Photoshop templates. We are often asked what companies we would suggest for background removal, also known as image extraction, knockout, masking, clipping path and cut outs. This prompted us to conduct our own research where we sent the same 16 test images (of varying difficulty) to a number of photo extraction companies for review.
Since our customers consist of both professional photographers and hobbyists, we felt it was important to include companies who offer services to businesses and also include companies who cater to general consumers. To be clear, we did not announce to any of these companies our intentions, as we did not want any special treatment. Therefore, we feel the following results are representative of what you can expect from each company should you choose to use their extraction services.
With that said, we've recently performed extraction tests with several different companies. From the results, we've narrowed it down to our top 8. We'll provide a link to their websites in the table below showing you what we paid and the types of customers they accept. Next, we'll display our test results from each of our 16 test images where you can click on the thumbnail for a larger image to inspect and compare. Finally, we'll share our experiences with each company during our ordering process at the end of this blog post so you can make informed decisions on your own.
| COMPANY | PRICE PAID | CUSTOMERS ACCEPTED |
| Free Trial | All Consumers | |
| $20.20 | All Consumers | |
|
Free Trial |
Businesses Only | |
|
$29.70 |
All Consumers | |
|
$9.75 |
Businesses Only | |
|
$20.50 |
Businesses Only | |
|
$3.68 |
All Consumers | |
| $25.00 | Businesses Only |
IMAGE EXTRACTION COMPARISONS
The following 16 images were submitted to all of the companies we list above, with the exception of 36Pix who only perform extractions on green or blue screens. While you can see the comparison images displayed below, you'll want to click on each one to view the fine details and evaluate the results more effectively.
Original Image - Curly hair with lots of strays over a relatively simple background.
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Original Image - Curly, wispy hair with strays visible through her floral head wreath and basket handle over a relatively simple background.
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Original Image - Dense and wispy hair combined over a over a noise-filled, but simple background.
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Original Image - Multi-person photo with no clear edges on the wheel bottoms and intricate work needed on the spokes over a busier background.
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Original Image - Light pink netting makes for challenging work to show no evidence of the solid black background.
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Original Image - Curly hair with lots of strays over a busy background.
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Original Image - Well-lit subject without any green spill or shadows has wispy hair over a green background.
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Original Image - Well-lit subject without any green spill or shadows makes for challenging work to show no evidence of the solid green background through the veil while retaining the fine details of the netting.
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Original Image - Subject has significant green spill and wispy hair over a solid green background.
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Original Image - Curly hair with green spill and lots of strays (some out of focus) over a solid green background.
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Original Image - Curly hair with lots of strays over a solid green background.
Click image below to compare extractions and evaluate closer.
Original Image - Lacrosse player holding stick with a ball in the net over a very busy background..
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Original Image - Soccer player in action with curly, wispy hair over a busy, out-of-focus background.
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Original Image - We stylized this image before submitting it for extraction to see how the edges and netting would be handled against the busy background.
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Original Image - Lighter hair in partial shade over a very busy, out-of-focus background.
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Original Image - Thin, wispy hair and out-of-focus lacrosse stick over a relatively simple background.
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THE ORDERING PROCESS
Here we'll reveal our experience with each of the 8 companies we shared extraction test results for listing them in alphabetical order.
36Pix
It's important to note 36Pix only performs extractions on images shot against a green or blue screen, which is why you'll only see their results on 5 of our green screen images above. While they offer different background removal choices, we opted to test their full-service extractions. All images were extracted quite well the first time and no do overs were required.
Price - Since they offer a free trial, we submitted our images through that channel. Note: standard full-service extractions start at $.45 each.
Turnaround - Less than 11 hours later, we were able to download our extracted images.
Ease of Use - We found the process quite easy.
Customer Service - Our emails were answered immediately.
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dPixelPro
While they offer different background removal choices, we opted to test their extraction services. All images were extracted acceptably the first time and no do overs were required.
Price - All 16 images we submitted cost us $20.20
Turnaround - We purchased their normal 48-hour service. However, just 12 hours later, we were able to download all of our extracted images.
Ease of Use - We found the interface intuitive and quite easy to use.
Customer Service - Our emails were answered immediately.
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Jalea
While they specialize in high-volume photos extractions shot on green, blue or white backgrounds, we decided to send them all 16 images including the photos on natural backgrounds. All images were extracted quite well the first time and no do overs were required.
Price - Since they offer a free trial, we submitted our images through that channel. Note: extractions as low as $.20 each at volume.
Turnaround - As expected, we received our images 48 hours later.
Ease of Use - We found the process quite easy.
Customer Service - Our emails were answered immediately.
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Photoshopit
We chose the Image Background Removal option from their list of services offered. While we had to send 11 of the 16 images back due to poor initial results, we were pleasantly surprised with the do overs, for the most part. They advertise reworking any unsatisfactory images within 4 hours. We had ours back in 5.5.
Price - You must purchase credits up front in increments as low as $15. These credits expire 1 year from the date of purchase. Your price per image is then based on a complexity chart ranging from $.75 for a simple image, $1.25 for a medium Image, $3 for a complex image and $5 for a super complex image. We suggest getting a quote and not going with the "Just Do It" option so you won't be surprised. All 16 images we submitted cost us $29.70
Turnaround - We purchased their normal 24-hour service. Yet 11 hours later, we were able to download all of our extracted images. Even with us having to return the images with poor initial results, we had our extracted images back within 24 hours.
Ease of Use - We found the interface intuitive and quite easy to use.
Customer Service - Our emails were answered immediately. Our online chats were also answered immediately.
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Photowonder
After reaching out to them through their online form, Photo-wonder.com responded 1.5 days later asking us to submit 2-3 sample images to test out their work free. We sent the ballerina and 2 other photos which were ready the next morning, 2 of which required do overs. Upon review, it was clear the ballerina needed to be re-worked to remove the black background from the netting of her sheer dress. We were told it would fall under the restoration category and cost us $15. We declined, but did set up an FTP account to have the remainder of our photos extracted.
Price - All 16 images we submitted cost us $9.75 including our 3 free test images.
Turnaround - We received word our extracted images were ready 3 days after submitting them. We were told they had a technical error which caused the delay.
Ease of Use - We were told our folders were not set up correctly in our FTP account, yet we were never given instructions on how this should be done. Aside from this, we found their interface easy to use.
Customer Service - Our emails were answered immediately after our initial contact.
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Rebooku
While they offer different background removal choices, we opted to test their standard extraction services and green screen removal. We were happy with the quality results we received and made note of their green screen extraction collaboration with 36Pix. All images were extracted quite well the first time and no do overs were required.
Price - All 16 images we submitted cost us $20.05. They clearly outline their pricing structure based on the images submitted. Our standard extraction order fell into 3 categories; 1-2 people with nets, 1-2 people without nets and 3-10 people.
Turnaround - We ordered at 9:30am choosing their Next Day by 5pm option. We received our orders as they became available. Some were delivered within 12 hours, some 24 hours and all were delivered by 5pm.
Ease of Use - We found the interface intuitive and quite easy to use.
Customer Service - Our emails were answered immediately.
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Remove.bg
This online extraction tool works as advertised in just seconds without any other work on your part other than uploading your photo. You are then given the option to instantly download a free preview PNG file or full-size, original quality PNG file with your purchase. What we like about this online tool is the option to see the free preview and determine if it's a good enough extraction for your needs before purchasing the full-quality image. If time is not on your side and you need extractions done immediately, we definitely recommend trying it out.
While Remove.bg did not perform great on all of our images, we feel it did rather well on hair and more simple images that didn't contain busy backgrounds, nets, or sheer netting as in the lacrosse sticks, ballerina dress and bride's veil. We also like the free Photoshop plugin that allows for instant extractions inside of Photoshop which are delivered with a layer mask for better editing options than the online interface provides. We do feel the online editor needs vast improvement. However, the instant download option and opportunity to tweak the layer mask in Photoshop is a great trade-off, in our opinion.
Price - All 16 images we submitted cost us $.23 each with a monthly subscription. If you purchase the monthly subscription plan, any unused credits will roll over (up to 5x your monthly credit budget) as long as your subscription is active. You also have the option to purchase only what you need with pay-as-you-go credits.
Turnaround - Instant download
Ease of Use - We found the interface easy to use but feel the online editing tool is too basic to be of much value.
Customer Service - We had no need to interact with anyone as the online tool served all our needs.
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Retouchup
We chose their clipping path services after creating an account with Retouchup. Unlike other services we tested, our photos were required to be uploaded before the services could be selected. We really liked their interface especially being able to interact with the artist performing the work in terms of rating, setting as a favorite artist and tipping if inclined to do so. We were also given the opportunity to leave feedback for the order.
They offer a pretty neat feature which will show you a "previous 24-hour delivery time" based on the job service you're looking for. It's a great tool that will help you decide if a rush order is needed or not.
We did need to send the ballerina back for a do over, which was extracted quite well the second time.
Price - All 16 images we submitted cost us $25
Turnaround - We chose their standard 56-hour turnaround service and received our images under deadline 2 days later.
Ease of Use - We found the interface very intuitive and one of our favorites overall.
Customer Service - Our emails were answered immediately. A follow-up phone call was made the day after our order completion to make sure we were happy with their work.
Thank you! Your site is awesome.
I found Remove.bkg in a group a month ago & love it!! Still having trouble loading the Ps app but looking forward to subscribing! Has saved me tons of stress.