Switch Labs vs Canva Background Remover
Canva's background remover requires a Pro subscription. Here's how the free alternative compares.
Try Free AlternativeFree vs Canva Pro for Background Removal
Canva is a popular design platform with a built-in background remover—but it's only available with Canva Pro ($12.99/month).
Switch Labs offers background removal for free, no subscription required. But is the quality comparable?
Let's compare these tools to help you decide if Canva Pro is worth it just for background removal.
Quick Verdict
Switch Labs wins if you only need background removal. Canva Pro is worth it if you use their full design suite regularly. Don't pay for Pro just for background removal.
Choose Switch Labs for free background removal. Only get Canva Pro if you'll use their templates, stock photos, and design features.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Switch Labs | Canva Background Remover |
|---|---|---|
| Price We Win | Free | $12.99/month |
| Background Removal | ||
| Quality | Good | Good |
| Batch Processing We Win | One at a time | |
| Design Tools They Win | Full suite | |
| Templates They Win | Millions | |
| Stock Photos They Win | 100M+ | |
| Local Processing We Win | ||
| Works Standalone We Win | Within Canva |
Detailed Comparison
Cost Analysis
Canva Pro costs $12.99/month ($155.88/year). Background removal is just one of many Pro features.
If you only need background removal, paying $156/year for Canva Pro doesn't make sense when Switch Labs is free.
However, if you already use Canva Pro for design work, the background remover is a nice bonus.
Background Removal Quality
Both tools use AI for automatic background detection. Quality is comparable for most common use cases.
Neither matches the edge quality of dedicated tools like Remove.bg, but both are excellent for social media and marketing use.
Workflow Integration
Canva's background remover works within their design editor. Remove a background, then immediately add new backgrounds, text, and design elements.
Switch Labs is a standalone tool. You'd need to download the image and import it into your design software.
For Canva users, the integrated workflow is convenient. For everyone else, it doesn't matter.
Pros & Cons
Switch Labs
Pros
- Completely free
- No subscription required
- Batch process multiple images
- Local processing for privacy
- Works without signing up
- Download instantly
Cons
- No integrated design tools
- Need to use other software for editing
- No templates or stock photos
Canva Background Remover
Pros
- Integrated with Canva design suite
- Access to templates and stock photos
- One-click background replacement
- Brand kit and team features
- Part of comprehensive design platform
Cons
- $12.99/month subscription required
- Background removal locked behind paywall
- One image at a time
- Overkill if you only need bg removal
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Switch Labs If You...
- Only need background removal
- Don't want to pay $12.99/month
- Already use other design tools
- Need to process multiple images
- Value privacy with local processing
Choose Canva Pro If You...
- Already use Canva for design work
- Want templates and stock photos
- Need an all-in-one design platform
- Want integrated background replacement
- Use Canva's team collaboration features
Frequently Asked Questions
Don't Pay $12.99/Month for Background Removal
Get the same result for free with Switch Labs. No subscription required.
Remove Background Free