Summary
remove.bg's API documentation states that from 1 December 2026, API background removal moves to Leonardo.Ai. Leonardo.Ai publishes a migration guide. This page summarises that guide as it read on 1 November 2026, so you can estimate the work involved. Leonardo.Ai's documentation is the authoritative source; check it before migrating.
Leonardo.Ai's Sync API keeps the same option names and values as remove.bg (size, type, format, crop, shadow_type, and others) but changes the endpoint, authentication, request body, and response format.
Request and response differences
| Area | remove.bg API | Leonardo.Ai Sync API |
|---|---|---|
| Endpoint | POST https://api.remove.bg/v1.0/removebg | POST https://cloud.leonardo.ai/api/rest/v2/generationssync |
| Authentication | X-Api-Key header | Authorization: Bearer header |
| Request body | multipart/form-data or JSON | JSON only, with "model": "remove-bg" and options under parameters |
| Source image | image_file, image_url, or image_file_b64 | One image object under parameters.guidances.image_reference (URL, base64, or uploaded image ID) |
| Response | Image bytes by default, JSON optional | Always JSON: a result URL by default, or base64 data when requested |
| Output formats | png, jpg, webp, zip, auto | png, jpg, webp (no zip or auto) |
| Result storage | Results not stored | Stored in your Leonardo library by default; set ephemeral to true to avoid this |
| Cost reporting | X-Credits-Charged header | cost object in the response body |
Pricing and features
Leonardo.Ai's migration guide lists background removal at USD $0.1047 per image and links to its pricing calculator for current prices. Its guide lists these remove.bg features as not supported: ZIP output, format=auto, bg_image_file uploads, raw image bytes in the response, multipart/form-data requests, X-Type and foreground-position metadata, POST /improve, and OAuth login. It supports shadow_type (none, drop, 3d, car) and shadow_opacity.
When each option fits
Leonardo.Ai is the path remove.bg points to, and it adds image generation, upscaling, and video models under the same API. If you want those, or need car or 3D shadows, it may be the natural choice.
If you want to keep your existing request and response handling unchanged, an API that accepts remove.bg-style requests needs fewer code changes. Cutout Lab is one: it keeps the /v1.0/removebg path, X-Api-Key header, multipart and JSON bodies, image responses, and ZIP output, and it is free during launch for 50 images per day per key. It supports drop shadows but not car or 3D shadows, accepts input up to 12 MB and 12 megapixels, and does not detect foreground type. Test your own images before switching.
Independence and corrections
Cutout Lab is an independent project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by remove.bg, Kaleido AI, Canva, or Leonardo.Ai. Product names are trademarks of their owners. Details about other providers come from their public documentation on the date above and may have changed. If anything is out of date, email support@cutoutlabs.com and we will correct it.