Photoroom

What is a Photoroom?

Photoroom is an AI-powered platform for creating product images, designed for e-commerce sellers, brands, second-hand trade users, and content creation teams. It started out by enabling the automatic removal of backgrounds, and today it offers services such as product styling, AI-generated backgrounds and shadows, virtual models, mockup effects for clothing, batch processing, product videos, template design, and API automation.

Users can upload photos of ordinary products via their mobile phones or web browsers, and transform them into images with a white background, scene photos, content suitable for social media, or product images that meet the size requirements of various platforms.

The focus of Photoroom is not on general photo post-processing, but rather on shortening the process from taking the original photos, removing the background elements, standardizing the composition, creating marketing-ready images, adapting them for various platforms, and finally releasing the products. It is suitable for small businesses that lack studios, lighting equipment, and professional image editors, as well as for brand teams that need to process a large number of product images.

Founded in 2020, Photoroom is designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses create visually appealing content that is effective for sales purposes.

Core functions

• Automatic background removal:After uploading photos of people, products, pets, or vehicles, the subject is automatically identified and a transparent background is generated; it is also possible to use a solid color background, a white background, a blurred background, or a template. Complex hair, transparent objects, reflective edges, and situations where the subject is partially obscured still require closer inspection.
• Product images on a white background:It allows for the quick creation of a pure white background, which is commonly used in e-commerce, and enables adjustment of the product’s position, size, margins, and proportions on the canvas. Different platforms have varying requirements regarding spacing, resolution, and whether additional text is allowed; it is therefore necessary to check the specific guidelines of each platform before publishing.
• AI Backgrounds：Based on textual descriptions or reference images, new environments can be created for products; studios, desktops, indoor settings, natural landscapes, and holiday scenes can all be generated. The backgrounds created will try to match the perspective and lighting of the main subject, but surface details, reflections, and material textures require manual verification.
• AI Shadows and Relighting:Natural shadows are added to the extracted product, and the direction and intensity of the lighting are adjusted to make the subject better match the new background. This helps to reduce the sense of a texture overlay, but it does not guarantee that the lighting effects will be consistent with those in real photography.
• Retouch and Edit with AI:Remove unwanted elements, text, or defects, and modify the image using natural language descriptions. AI Fill, Expand, and Uncrop can fill in edges or expand the canvas, making it possible to transform the same material into horizontal, vertical, or square formats.
• Product Beautifier：It improves the surface, shape, reflectivity, and overall texture of products; it is suitable for use in jewelry, cosmetics, packaging, and small items. This feature may redraw details, and products whose color, texture, interfaces, and specifications are important should be checked against their actual appearance.
• Product Staging：A complete display environment is created around the original product, eliminating the need to set up the scene and shoot new footage. Users can choose or describe scenarios to be used for advertisement images, product detail pages, and social media content.
• Virtual Model：Clothing can be displayed on AI fashion models, with various appearances and presentation options available, which helps to reduce the costs associated with using traditional models for photography. The results are suitable for creative previews and as material for catalogs, but the sizes, drape, and fit may not be accurate compared to how they appear when worn in reality.
• Ghost Mannequin：It creates a \"virtual mannequin\" effect with clothing worn on an invisible model, and can be accessed through a separate tool, the Batch tool, or the Shopify product editor. This feature requires a paid subscription as well as AI credits; it also allows for adjustments to quality, proportions, brand elements, and prompt settings.
• Flat Lay and clothing styling:Clothing items can be arranged for flat-lay display, and tools for removing wrinkles and changing colors are available. Color changes should not be used to conceal any differences in the actual color of the products; samples should be checked on a calibrated screen before posting them in bulk.
• Product video creation:The Max and Ultra plans include a Video Generator that allows static product images to be turned into short videos for use in advertising and on social media. The AI capabilities related to videos and images share the same resources; the duration, quality, and available models vary depending on the chosen plan.

Batch editing and e-commerce workflows

Batch Mode allows multiple images to be imported at once, enabling bulk processing such as image cropping, background uniformization, adjustment of position and size, format changes, and AI-based transformations, with all results exported together. Each time an image is exported, it counts as one batch export.

When using features such as AI backgrounds, virtual models, or hollow models, an equivalent amount is also deducted from the shared AI credits.

Batch exports that do not involve AI-generated steps can still be performed once the AI credits have been used up.

Pro allows up to 500 batch exports per month, Max permits 1,500 exports, while Ultra supports over 4,000 exports; different capacity levels are available for Ultra, Ultra ×2, Ultra ×5, and Ultra ×10. The maximum number indicated on the page represents the highest amount that can be achieved without using any AI generation resources, so the actual number of exports that can be processed depends on the workflow in use.

Manual editing and single-file export are generally not subject to a fixed number of restrictions in paid plans, but they are governed by fair use policies.

The Max solution allows for the creation and publication of Shopify product listings, while Photoroom for Shopify enables image editing, the use of virtual models, and the process of publishing products directly from the product catalog. For sellers on Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, as well as those who have their own websites, Photoroom also allows them to generate images in different sizes first and then upload them manually.

Before automatic publication, it is necessary to check the title, variants, prices, image order, and platform policies, to prevent the generated content from being treated as actual product features.

Free, Pro, Max, and Ultra

On the official website’s subscription page, the prices for Pro, Max, and Ultra are displayed based on country, currency, platform, and any ongoing promotions. Payment options include monthly, annual, and, in some regions, weekly billing. The annual payment option indicates that it can save 33% compared to monthly payment, with taxes already included.

For mobile devices, payment is handled by Apple or Google; for web versions, credit cards are used.

Since the same plan may vary across different regions, app stores, and web versions, the amount to be paid should be based on the total cost after logging in; therefore, the old team price of 9.99 dollars or previous Pro prices should not be considered as the current uniform price.

The weekly payment plan updates the smaller amount on a weekly basis, while the AI points and batch quotas for the monthly and annual payment plans are updated on a monthly basis.

AI Backgrounds, AI Images, AI Shadows, Retouch, Resize, Virtual Model, Product Staging, Product Beautifier, Ghost Mannequin, and Social Post Maker share the same AI balance; video generation in Max and Ultra also uses this balance.

Spaces and team collaboration

Photoroom uses Spaces to organize design elements, members, and subscriptions. Each Space has its own separate subscription; the Pro, Max, or Ultra plans purchased for one Space are not automatically applied to other Spaces.

When a user enters the wrong free Space, they may not be able to access the paid features, even if their account has been paid for.

According to the latest official documentation, each Space within a solution can accommodate up to 50 people, that is, 1 administrator plus 49 members, with no additional charges for those members. Teams can share designs, templates, and Brand Kits, and continue editing on different devices.

When multiple brands or customers require separate invoices, assets, and permissions, different Spaces should be created and subscribed to individually.

Photoroom API

Photoroom offers developer-oriented background removal APIs and image editing APIs, which enable the processing of product images to be integrated into websites, market platforms, content management systems, or internal workflows. API subscriptions are separate from the Pro, Max, and Ultra subscriptions for iOS, Android, and web applications; purchasing an app subscription does not automatically grant access to these production APIs.

• Basic background removal API:Charging is based on the number of images that are processed successfully; the standard price is $0.02 per image. It is possible to remove backgrounds, crop images, adjust their size, and apply a solid color background.
• Plus Image Editing API：A fee of $0.10 is charged for each successful invocation. A single invocation can combine multiple functions such as background removal, intelligent positioning, AI-generated shadows, AI-based background handling, re-lighting, text removal, AI image enlargement, Beautifier, and natural language editing; the price does not increase just because more steps are included in one invocation.
• Sandbox：The Image Editing API offers 1,000 test calls per month with watermarks, and no credit card is required; new accounts also receive the first 10 production calls for background removal without watermarks. The results of these tests cannot replace actual final outputs.
• Amount conversion:One Plus call is equivalent to 5 Basic calls; a Basic subscription consumes 5 quota units when making a call to Plus, while a Plus subscription consumes 0.2 quota units when making a call to Basic. Error responses do not consume any quota units for images, but repeated calls with the same input will result in additional charges.
• Enterprise API：For more than 200,000 cards per year, contact sales to obtain tiered discounts and corporate support; there are additional partnership options available for consumer applications that process over 500,000 cards per year.

The background removal endpoint supports PNG, JPEG, and WebP output formats; it can provide RGBA or Alpha channels, as well as previews, medium resolution, high resolution, and full-size images with a resolution of up to 36 million pixels. Image Editing v2 allows for image processing via GET or POST requests, while the account-related endpoint enables access to information about subscribed plans and remaining credit.

API keys should be stored only on the server side; they must not be included in web front-ends, mobile application packages, or public repositories.

The API solution can be upgraded, downgraded, or canceled at any time. An upgrade takes effect immediately and resets the renewal date;

The downgrade takes effect at the end of the current billing cycle; once it is canceled, the remaining quota remains valid for 6 months and can be used again when subscribing once more.

The production system should include monitoring for the number of calls made, the cost per image, attempts to retry in case of failures, and the overall budget, in order to prevent additional costs resulting from repeated processing in the queue.

Support for platforms and open-source status

Photoroom offers a web interface as well as apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android; paid spaces allow access across different platforms. The mobile apps are suitable for on-the-spot shooting and quick publishing, while the web interface is better suited for bulk import, organization of catalogs, and team collaboration.

The visibility of some AI tools is affected by the platform, country, application version, and setup; if a function cannot be found, it is necessary to update the application first and check the current Space.

The Photoroom application, the core image extraction models, the AI-powered product image services, and the hosted APIs are not open-source products. The official GitHub repository provides examples of API code, as well as projects such as PhotoRoomKit-Swift, fast foreground color estimation, image data management, and machine learning infrastructure; some of these projects are licensed under the MIT or Apache 2.0 licenses.

The public examples are only intended to assist developers in connecting to the API; they do not enable the deployment of a full Photoroom service locally, nor do they exempt users from paying the API fees.

Photoroom usage guide

Complete a basic task.

1. Clarify the purpose of the image, its dimensions, style, and requirements regarding commercial licensing.
2. Upload the original images for which you have permission to use, or enter clear instructions;
3. Select to automatically remove the background and first generate low-cost candidates;
4. Use product images with a white background to adjust the composition, the main subject, and the details;
5. Zoom in to examine faces, hands, text, edges, logos, and artifacts;
6. Export after confirming the color, resolution, and licensing, while retaining the original image;

Create reusable professional workflows

1. Create a list of brand colors, fonts, layout elements, and elements that are prohibited.
2. Test automatic background removal, product images on a white background, and AI Backgrounds separately;
3. Use the same set of representative samples to compare quality, speed, and cost;
4. Complex edges, text, and images of key products should be handed over for manual refinement.
5. Standardize naming, dimensions, and review status;
6. Batch processing and release are carried out after random inspections;

Which users are it suitable for

• Taobao, Shopify, and cross-border e-commerce sellers who need to quickly create main images with a white background, scene images, and social media content;
• Individual sellers who handle images of second-hand or handmade products on platforms such as eBay, Etsy, and Poshmark;
• Fashion brands that need virtual models, hollow models, and flat-lay displays of clothing;
• Small content teams that wish to standardize the background, composition, size, and brand templates;
• Market platforms and brands that need to process hundreds or thousands of catalog images in bulk;
• Developers who wish to automate tasks such as image cropping, remighting, background generation, and adaptation for different platforms using APIs.

Usage restrictions and precautions

• AI-generated product images may alter the product’s color, texture, packaging text, interfaces, number of accessories, and actual proportions;
• In cases related to the authenticity of products, return disputes, or regulatory information, the original images must be retained and verified one by one; it is not allowed to use generated content to create fake functions or effects that do not exist.
• VirtualModel and GhostMannequin cannot replace information on actual sizes and fit patterns either.
• Before uploading customer photos, unlisted products, model portraits, and brand materials, it is necessary to verify the copyright status, obtain consent for the use of portraits, and comply with data processing requirements.
• When team Space members have access to shared content, the spaces should be separated by customer and brand.
• Creating trademarks, characters, or protected designs in the background can still pose infringement risks, and such elements need to be reviewed before they are used in commercial contexts.
• The free version explicitly prohibits commercial use;
• The available quotas, models, and prices for paid subscriptions will be adjusted;
• The so-called unlimited manual export is subject to fair use restrictions, which does not mean that it is possible to use scripts for unlimited data extraction or as a substitute for APIs.
• For high-volume automation, official APIs or enterprise solutions should be used, with costs calculated based on the actual volume of orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Photoroom free?

There is a free version that allows for background removal, retouching, and the export of up to 250 templates per month; it also offers limited access to AI features. However, according to the official rules, the free version cannot be used for commercial purposes.

How much is the photoroom?

The individual plans are available in Pro, Max, and several Ultra versions; custom quotes are provided for the enterprise version. The prices on the official website vary depending on region, currency, platform, and any ongoing promotions, with the annual payment option indicating a 33% savings.

The amount shall be based on that stated on the purchase page.

Is Photoroom suitable for creating images of products for Taobao or cross-border e-commerce?

It is suitable for creating images with a white background, AI-generated scenes, shadows, images in various sizes, as well as marketing materials. However, it is necessary to check the platform’s image policies and ensure that the colors, text, specifications, and details of the products are accurate.

Can Photoroom perform batch image masking?

Yes. Pro allows 500 batch exports per month, Max permits 1,500 exports, while Ultra supports over 4,000 exports;

Using AI functions also consumes shared AI credits.

Does Photoroom offer an API?

Available. The standard price for the Basic background removal API is $0.02 per image, while the Plus Image Editing API costs $0.10 per use; there are also 1,000 sandbox testing calls per month that include watermarks.

Is Photoroom open source?

The full application and the underlying model are not made available under an open-source license. The official GitHub repository provides examples of APIs as well as some research materials and infrastructure components, but these cannot be used to deploy a complete version of Photoroom on a private basis.