Here’s How to Remove Backgrounds from Photos for Free in Canva
Want to remove backgrounds in Canva for free? You can! Most people assume background removal is only available with a Pro subscription, but Canva actually has free third-party apps that do the job too. While Canva’s own Background Remover is hands down the best (and worth upgrading for), these free options let you remove backgrounds without leaving the platform. Give them a try and see which works best for you!
As a Canva Verified Expert, please note that this post contains affiliate links for Canva.
Background Eraser
To get started, open your preferred design or document type—whether that’s a custom size or a preset like Presentation, Instagram Post, or Facebook. Next, head to the Apps panel and search for Background Eraser. Upload the photo or image you want to edit, then simply click Remove Background. That’s it! Give it a go and see how well it works for your needs.
Clear Background
Another way to remove a background from a photo in Canva is with Clear Background. The same steps apply—create a document, go to the Apps panel, and search for Clear Background. Upload your photo, hit remove, and boom—no distractions.
Background Cleaner
Background Cleaner is another third-party option in Canva Apps that lets you remove an image background in just a click. Unlike the other apps, this one gives you ten free credits per day, which automatically refresh. I got it to work once and then tried several times again and it ate my credits without removing the background, so it’s the luck of the draw here.
Background Removit
A similar thing happend with Background Removit. While I got it to work fine yesterday, I had some trouble with the Background Removit app today—it’s having server issues, so hopefully, that will be resolved soon. Like the others, to make your images transparent, you simply upload your image, find the app under Apps and select your image and, well, remove-it…
Note I wasn’t thrilled with their example – I feel like I have a pretty good idea of the type of guys who are behind this app…but whatever. To each their own.
Other Background Options in Canva
That’s not all! If you want even more ways to tweak your images, Canva has a few other third-party apps that let you blur, replace, or enhance backgrounds in different ways. I’ve only tested these briefly, so their effectiveness may vary—but if you give them a try, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Check out:
- Relight Background
- Change Background
- Backgroundless
- Blur Background
- Replace Background
- Background Gradient
Conclusion
While these free third-party apps can be hit or miss, the real benefit is that you don’t have to leave Canva to remove backgrounds. It’s a quick, hassle-free way to test different options and see what works for your needs. Just keep in mind that none of these offer the fine-tuned control of Canva’s own Background Remover—but if you’re looking for a free solution, they’re worth a try!
Why Canva’s Background Remover is the Best
While those free options are handy, Canva’s own Background Remover (a Pro feature) is the most accurate and flexible tool of the lot. It doesn’t just remove backgrounds—it also lets you use a brush tool to fine-tune your image by erasing or restoring areas as needed. That level of control can make a big difference when working with complex images!
If you want to test it out, Canva offers a 30-day free trial of Canva Pro, so you can see the difference for yourself.
About Thea
Hey there, I’m Thea Newcomb—a Canva Verified Expert, trainer, and consultant with nearly 11 years of experience with Canva. I deliver workshops, webinars, and 1:1 training worldwide, helping businesses and individuals make the most of Canva’s powerful design tools.
Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned designer, I love sharing tips, tricks, and creative ideas to help you level up your designs. You can find me talking about Canva, AI, self-publishing, and digital design tools over on my website or at one of my upcoming training sessions.
Want to learn more? Let’s connect!
