Have you ever found the perfect photo for a design, only for the cluttered background to ruin the entire look? In the past, removing a background required expensive software and hours of tedious “tracing.” Today, Canva’s Background Remover can do it in a single click. But since this feature is locked behind the Canva Pro subscription, the big question remains: Is it actually worth the monthly cost? In this guide, we’ll put the tool to the test and show you how it changes your design workflow.
How do you remove a background in Canva?
The Quick Answer: To remove a background, simply select your image and click “Edit Photo” in the top toolbar. Under the Magic Studio tab, select “BG Remover.” In seconds, Canva’s AI identifies the subject and deletes the background, leaving you with a clean, transparent image. While there are free workarounds, the Canva Pro version is widely considered the most accurate and fastest tool for non-designers.
Canva Free vs. Canva Pro: The Comparison
For many, the Background Remover is the “gateway” feature that leads them to upgrade to Pro. Here is how the two plans stack up when it comes to editing your images:
| Feature | Canva Free | Canva Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Background Remover | Not Included | One-Click Magic |
| Magic Eraser | Not Included | Remove Unwanted Objects |
| Transparent Downloads | No (White backgrounds only) | Yes (Crucial for logos/stickers) |
| Magic Resize | No | Instant resize for any platform |
3 Ways the Background Remover Saves You Time
1. Professional Product Photos
If you sell physical products, you can take a photo on your kitchen table, run it through the BG Remover, and suddenly it looks like it was shot in a professional studio with a clean white or branded background.
2. Creating Custom Stickers
As we discussed in our [Link: Cricut Sticker Guide], a transparent background is essential. Pro allows you to remove the background and download the file as a Transparent PNG, which is a must-have for getting those clean “offset” borders in Cricut Design Space.
3. Professional Headshots
Need a profile picture for LinkedIn or Instagram? You can take a selfie in your backyard and swap the messy trees for a professional solid color or a minimalist office aesthetic in seconds.
Wait, What is the “Magic Eraser”?
Often confused with the background remover, the Magic Eraser (also a Pro feature) allows you to “brush over” a specific object—like a stray power cord or a person in the background—and make it disappear without deleting the entire backdrop.
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Money?
- Stick with Free if: You only design once or twice a month for personal use and don’t mind using third-party websites to manually remove backgrounds.
- Upgrade to Pro if: You are a small business owner, an Etsy seller, or a content creator. The time you save—plus the ability to download Transparent PNGs—usually pays for the subscription in a single afternoon of work.
Summary: Effortless Design in 2026
The Background Remover isn’t just a “filter”—it’s a professional-grade AI tool that levels the playing field for creators. If you want your brand to look polished and high-end, it is arguably the best investment you can make in your design toolkit.
Ready to create something beautiful?
Add some of our professional easy to use Canva Graphics against your newly cleaned up background!