Guide · Background removal
How to remove a background offline
Most background removers are websites: you upload the photo, wait, and download the result. If the image is private, your connection is slow or you do this many times a day, it is quicker and safer to do it on your own computer.
Updated October 22, 2026
Why remove backgrounds offline
- Privacy. Client work, unreleased products and personal photos never leave your computer.
- Speed. No upload and no download, so a cutout takes seconds even on a slow connection.
- No credits. Many online tools charge per full-size download. A local tool doesn’t.
- It works anywhere. On a train, a plane or a café with no Wi-Fi.
Option 1: the tools already on your computer
Both Windows and macOS can now remove a background for free, which is enough for a quick cutout:
- Windows 11: open the image in Paint and choose Remove background in the toolbar, then save it as a PNG to keep the transparency.
- macOS 13 or later: open the image in Preview, then choose Tools → Remove Background, or right-click an image in Finder and choose Quick Actions → Remove Background.
They are fine for simple shapes on plain backgrounds. Fine edges, like hair, fur, glass and soft shadows, are where they struggle, and they only work on files you have already saved.
Option 2: AssetHUD, for designer-quality cutouts
AssetHUD is a desktop launcher for designers on Windows and Mac. It has two AI cutout models built in, so background removal runs on your computer and works offline from the first launch:
- High precision (BiRefNet) for hair, fur and soft edges.
- Fast (Silueta) when you just need a quick result.
How to do it
- Download AssetHUD for Windows or Mac and sign in. The Free plan needs no card.
- Press Ctrl + Space (Option + Space on a Mac) from any app to open it.
- Search for an image, or drop your own file into the window. Select the image and press B: the background comes off in a few seconds.
- Press C to copy the cutout, S to save it as a PNG, or drag it straight into Figma, Photoshop or any other app.
For more control, open the image in Studio: compare before and after with a split view, pick the model, put the cutout on a color, and trace it to SVG in the same place (see how to convert an image to SVG).
What you need
- Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), or macOS 11 or later on a Mac with Apple silicon.
- 8 GB of RAM (16 GB recommended) and about 1 GB of disk space.
- The Free plan includes 20 background removals and 10 SVG traces a month. Pro has 500 and 200, and Max is unlimited.
Common questions
Is my image uploaded anywhere?
No. The cutout models are inside the app and run on your computer. Only image searches go online.
What format is the result?
A PNG with a transparent background. Pro and Max can also export JPG, WEBP, AVIF and more, or trace the cutout to SVG.
Does it work without internet?
Yes, for images on your computer. Searching the web for new images needs a connection, of course.
