Maskr.io vs Remove.bg — Pricing, Speed, and Features Compared
If you've ever removed a background from an image, you've probably heard of remove.bg. It's been around since 2018, it's trusted by millions, and it was acquired by Canva in 2021. It does one thing — background removal — and it does it well.
Maskr.io does background removal too. But it also does upscaling, object removal, compression, format conversion, and resizing — all under one credit system. And it's significantly cheaper.
Here's how they compare.
Pricing
This is the big one.
Remove.bg — Free
1 HD credit + 50 low-res previews per month
Free downloads are low-resolution only (up to 0.25 megapixels)
Remove.bg — $9/mo
40 credits/month
~$0.23 per image
Background removal only
Remove.bg — $39/mo
200 credits/month
~$0.20 per image
Background removal only
Higher tiers are available (500, 1,200, 2,800 credits/month). Full details at remove.bg/pricing. Unused credits roll over while subscribed, and subscriptions come with a 14-day money-back guarantee.
Maskr.io — Free
20 credits/month
Full quality, no resolution limits
Maskr.io — $9.99/mo
1,000 credits/month
$0.01 per credit
All services included
Maskr.io — $29.99/mo
4,000 credits/month
~$0.0075 per credit
All services included
Maskr.io — $99.99/mo
16,000 credits/month
~$0.00625 per credit
All services included
Credits work across every service — background removal, upscaling, object removal, compression, conversion, resizing. One-time credit packs also available starting at $5. Full details at maskr.io/pricing.
The short version: at the ~$10/month tier, remove.bg gives you 40 background removals. Maskr.io gives you 1,000 credits across all services. At $39 vs $29.99, it's 200 credits vs 4,000. The math speaks for itself.
Features
Remove.bg offers:
Background removal
REST API
Figma and Photoshop plugins
Canva integration (parent company)
Desktop apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Android mobile app
Shopify and WooCommerce integrations
Batch processing
Maskr.io offers:
Background removal
Image upscaling (2x and 4x)
Object removal
Image compression (free)
Format conversion (free)
Image resizing (free)
REST API
Figma and Penpot plugins (live now)
Chrome Extension (live now)
Photoshop and Illustrator plugins (Q2 2026)
Canva integration (Q3 2026)
Shopify integration (Q3 2026)
Batch processing (up to 50 images)
Remove.bg is laser-focused on background removal. If that's all you need and you're deep in the Canva ecosystem, it's a solid choice.
Maskr.io covers more ground. One subscription, one credit system, multiple services. Fewer tools to manage, fewer subscriptions to juggle. The plugin ecosystem is still growing — Figma, Penpot, and a Chrome Extension are live today, with Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, and Shopify integrations on the roadmap for 2026.
Speed
Remove.bg advertises ~5 seconds per image.
Maskr.io processes in under 300ms.
For single images, both feel fast enough. For batch processing via the API — hundreds or thousands of images — the difference adds up quickly.
Privacy
Worth paying attention to, especially if you're processing client work or sensitive product images.
Remove.bg has an "Improvement Program." When you rate an image, you're asked whether you want to contribute it for AI training. You can decline, but the prompt is there. Images are stored temporarily for processing.
Maskr.io doesn't store images. Period. They're processed and immediately deleted. No improvement program, no training data, no opt-out to manage. Your images are yours.
API
Both offer REST APIs. The pricing model is where they diverge.
Remove.bg API:
50 free preview-resolution calls/month
Full-res calls require credits
Previews capped at 0.25 megapixels
Maskr.io API:
Full API access on all plans including free
No resolution restrictions
Multiple services through the same API
Docs at maskr.io/docs
For developers building products that need image processing, Maskr.io gives you more services through one integration at a fraction of the cost.
Where Remove.bg Wins
Being fair here:
Brand recognition. It's been around since 2018 and millions of people use it. That trust matters, especially for enterprise buyers.
Desktop and mobile apps. Apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android. Maskr.io doesn't have native apps yet.
Canva ecosystem. Canva owns remove.bg. If you live in Canva, the integration is seamless.
14-day money-back guarantee. Remove.bg offers a refund window on subscriptions.
Where Maskr.io Wins
Pricing. Significantly more credits per dollar at every tier.
Multi-service platform. Background removal, upscaling, object removal, compression, conversion, and resizing — all included.
Speed. Sub-300ms vs ~5 seconds.
Privacy. Images never stored, never trained on.
Free tier. 20 full-quality credits vs 1 HD credit.
API value. More services, no resolution limits, lower cost.
Plugin coverage. Penpot and Chrome Extension support today, with Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, and Shopify coming in 2026.
Who Should Use Which?
Stick with remove.bg if you only need background removal, you're already in Canva's ecosystem, or brand maturity is a requirement for your org.
Try Maskr.io if you need more than just background removal, you care about cost per image, you want a single API for multiple services, or privacy is non-negotiable.
Try Both
The best comparison is your own. Remove.bg gives you 1 free HD credit and 50 low-res previews per month. Maskr.io gives you 20 free credits with full access to every service.
Last updated: February 2026. Pricing and features may change. Check remove.bg/pricing and maskr.io/pricing for current info.