About Clear Canvas

A free, private, AI-powered background remover that runs entirely in your browser.

What is Clear Canvas?

Clear Canvas is a free online tool that removes backgrounds from images using artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional background removal services that upload your images to remote servers for processing, Clear Canvas runs the entire AI model directly in your web browser.

This means your images are never uploaded anywhere. They are processed on your device, and only you have access to them. When you close the tab, the images are gone — no copies are stored, no data is collected, and no accounts are needed.

How the Technology Works

AI Model (ONNX Runtime)

Clear Canvas uses a machine learning model optimized for the ONNX (Open Neural Network Exchange) format. The model is loaded into your browser using ONNX Runtime Web, which allows neural network inference to run directly on your device's hardware — CPU or GPU — via WebAssembly (WASM) and WebGL/WebGPU.

WebAssembly (WASM)

WebAssembly is a low-level binary format supported by all modern browsers. It allows the AI model to run at near-native speed inside your browser — no plugins, extensions, or installations required. The WASM runtime is what makes client-side AI processing practical and fast.

Client-Side Processing

When you upload an image, it stays in your browser's memory. The AI model analyzes the image, identifies the subject, and generates a mask to remove the background. The entire pipeline — from loading the image to producing the transparent PNG — happens on your device. No HTTP requests carry your image data to any server.

Offline Capability

After the AI model is downloaded on first use (a one-time download), Clear Canvas can work completely offline. The model is cached by your browser, so subsequent uses are instant. You can even disconnect from the internet and continue removing backgrounds.

Privacy Architecture

Clear Canvas was designed with privacy as a core architectural principle, not an afterthought. Here is what that means in practice:

  • •No image uploads: Your images are processed entirely in the browser. They never leave your device.
  • •No image tracking: Clear Canvas does not track, store, or collect any of your images. No user accounts are required. We use Google Analytics for anonymous website usage statistics, which may set cookies — see our Privacy Policy for details.
  • •No server-side processing: There is no backend server processing images. The web application is purely static files served to your browser.
  • •No data retention: When you close the browser tab, all image data is discarded from memory. Nothing is saved.

Supported Formats & Compatibility

Clear Canvas accepts PNG and JPEG input images. The output is always a PNG file with a transparent background. The tool works in any modern web browser that supports WebAssembly, including:

  • Google Chrome (v57+)
  • Mozilla Firefox (v52+)
  • Apple Safari (v11+)
  • Microsoft Edge (v16+)
  • Opera (v44+)
  • Chrome for Android
  • Safari on iOS (v11+)
  • Samsung Internet

Built on Open Technology

Clear Canvas is built using open web standards and open-source AI libraries. The background removal model is powered by the imgly background removal library, which uses ONNX Runtime for cross-platform neural network inference. The application is built with React and runs as a static web application — no complex server infrastructure, no databases, and no third-party API dependencies for image processing.

Try It Yourself

Remove a background in seconds. No sign-up, no upload, no cost.