GIFs are everywhere—social media, websites, emails, and even presentations. But have you ever noticed how a cluttered background can distract from the main subject? Removing the background from a GIF can make it look cleaner and way more versatile.

A GIF with no background puts the focus squarely on your subject, whether it's a dancing cat, a product demo, or a logo animation. A transparent background can be placed over any design, video, or image easily.

So here in this article, we'll show you how to remove background from GIFs for your every need, from quick fixes to professional editing, be it for social media, marketing, or designing. Ready to learn how? Let's dive into the best GIF background removers that make it easy!

💡 Before diving into GIF-specific tools

If you are working with projects that mix static and animated content or don't have the budget for professional tools, Aiarty Image Matting is a game-changer. This AI background remover:

  1. Remove backgrounds in seconds within clicks—no manual editing required
  2. Perfect for creating transparent-background images you can later animate into GIFs
  3. Batch processing and hi-res output to save time while delivering pro-level results

Try it free here and see how it simplifies your workflow!

GIF Background Removers (With Tutorials)

Removing backgrounds from GIFs might sound tricky, but with the right tools, it's a breeze. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, there's something here for everyone.

1. Ezgif

  • Free to use with no sign-up required
  • Supports GIF, PNG, and JPG formats
  • Change loop count, view metadata
  • Resize, crop, or cut the GIF file as needed

Ezgif is the go-to tool for many when it comes to making GIFs. It's a simple and effective way to remove background from GIF online. Ezgif supports various formats like JPEG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, GIF, making it versatile for different needs. This tool helps you effortlessly change or remove background from animated GIFs. Ezgif allows you to create transparent backgrounds for GIFs. It's easy to use, even if you're not familiar with graphic editing.

Remove Background from GIF with Ezgif

How to Remove Background from GIF Free with Ezgif

Step 1: Go to EZGIF's Remove Background Tool.

Step 2: Upload your GIF directly from your device or paste the image URL if it's hosted online.

Step 3: Use the "Remove Background" tool to automatically detect the subject in your GIF.

Step 4: Once you are satisfied, download your GIF with a transparent background.

Pros
  • No cost or account needed
  • Wide range of formats supported
  • 200MB max file size
  • No watermark on the edited GIFs
Cons
  • Can be time-consuming for GIFs with many frames
  • Issues with complex animations

2. OnlineGIFTools

  • Delete background from GIFs
  • Specify a background color to remove all pixels matching it
  • One-click background removal

OnlineGIFTools is perfect for quick edits. It allows you to match and remove specific colors from the background. Simply enter the color you want to erase, and the tool handles the rest. Just like when you use the Set Transparent Color to remove background from a picture in PowerPoint.

OnlineGIFTools offers a feature to adjust the shade matching. This feature helps you delete not just one shade, but also similar tones. You can decide how strict or lenient this match should be by setting a percentage.

However, it may struggle with more complex or multicolored backgrounds. And it's less suitable for images when parts of the subject have a color similar to the background.

Remove Background from GIF with OnlineGIFTools

How to Remove Background from GIF Online

Step 1: Visit OnlineGIFTools' Remove Background Tool.

Step 2: Drag and drop your GIF into the tool or upload it from your device.

Step 3: Select a color in the background that you want to move.

Step 4: Preview the result to ensure the background is removed correctly.

Step 5: Download your edited GIF with a transparent background.

Pros
  • Beginner-friendly with no learning curve
  • Real-time preview of the background removal
  • No installation or sign-up required
Cons
  • Limited customization options
  • Only works well for GIFs with a single background color not similar to the subject
  • Five uses per day for free plan

3. Unscreen

  • AI automatically detects and removes backgrounds
  • Supports both GIF and video formats
  • Option to replace the background with a custom color or image

Unscreen would be the best choice to remove background from GIF with AI. It's the alternative to remove.bg for videos. To create a transparent background for your GIFs using Unscreen, you won't need any special skills. It automates the whole process with AI. Just upload your file, and the online GIF background remover will automatically detect and remove the background, without tricky techniques like chroma keying.

Remove Background from GIF with Unscreen

How to Remove Background from GIF with AI

Step 1: Go to Unscreen's website.

Step 2: Upload your GIF or drag and drop it into the tool.

Step 3: Let the AI process your GIF.

Step 4: If needed, you can replace the background with a custom color or image.

Step 5: Download your GIF with a transparent or custom background.

Pros
  • No manual input required—AI does all the work
  • Extremely fast and accurate
  • Free version available for quick edits
Cons
  • No manuel edits for fine-tuning
  • Watermark applied with the free plan
  • Limited 360p output resolution with the free plan

4. BackgroundRemover

  • Free and open-source
  • Command-line interface for advanced users
  • Supports batch processing for multiple files

For developers or tech-savvy users, BackgroundRemover is a powerful open source bg remover that offers unmatched flexibility. This tool includes models like u2net, u2netp, and u2net_human_seg, allowing you to choose the best one for your specific needs. You can also adjust the settings for each model, like frame limits or alpha matting, to enhance the final output.

If you are not a big fan of using the command line tool, you can also visit its website to get some of its background removal features.

Remove Background from GIF with BackgroundRemover

How to Remove Background from animated GIF for Free

Step 1: Install BackgroundRemover in your terminal or command prompt.

Step 2: Use the command backgroundremover -i input.gif -o output.gif to process your GIF.

Step 3: For more control, add parameters like -m to specify the model or -fr to adjust the framerate of the video.

Step 4: Once processed, your GIF will have a transparent background and be saved as output.gif.

Pros
  • Completely free and customizable
  • Great for batch processing large numbers of GIFs
  • Ideal for developers or advanced users
Cons
  • Requires some coding knowledge to use
  • No graphical interface—command-line only

5. Adobe After Effects

  • Advanced masking and rotoscoping tools
  • Frame-by-frame editing for precise results
  • Seamless integration with Photoshop and Premiere Pro

If you are a professional looking for the ultimate control over your GIFs, Adobe After Effects is the gold standard. This industry-leading software lets you remove background from GIF with frame-by-frame precision, making it perfect for complex animations or high-quality projects.

Remove Background from GIF with Adobe After Effects

How to Remove Background from a GIF in After Effects

Step 1: Import your GIF into Adobe After Effects.

Step 2: Go to Effect > Keying > Keylight with your GIF layer selected.

Step 3: Use the screen color picker to select the color you want to remove.

Step 4: Adjust the screen gain, screen balance, and other settings.

Step 5: Once the background is removed, export your GIF by going to File > Export > Add to Render Queue. Choose GIF as the output format and save your file.

Pros
  • Unmatched control for professional-grade edits
  • Ideal for complex animations or high-resolution projects
  • Integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud tools
Cons
  • Steep learning curve for beginners
  • Requires a paid subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud

Comparison Table of GIF Background Removers

With so many tools available, how do you pick the best one for your needs? Here's a quick comparison.

Tool Best For Cost Unique Feature
Ezgif Quick fixes Free GIF maker and resizer
OnlineGIFTools Quick fixes Free or from $9/mo Real-time preview
Unscreen AI speed Free or from $9/mo No user input required
BackgroundRemover Developers Free Open-source customization
Adobe After Effects Professional editing $22.99/mo Frame-by-frame control

Tips for Perfect Background Removal

Even with the best tools, a little know-how can go a long way. Here are some tips to ensure your GIFs look flawless.

  • Use High-Contrast GIFs: Make sure your subject stands out clearly from the background. This makes it easier for tools to detect edges accurately.
  • Check Frame Consistency: Some tools may struggle with GIFs that have multiple frames or complex animations. Test your tool to ensure it handles all frames correctly.
  • Test Multiple Tools: If one tool doesn't give you the results you want, try another. Each tool has its strengths, so experimenting can help you find the perfect fit.
  • Refine Edges Manually: For professional results, use tools like Adobe After Effects to fine-tune edges, especially for tricky subjects like hair or transparent objects.

Bonus Tool: Aiarty Image Matting for Still Images

While this guide focuses on GIFs, let's not forget about still images! Aiarty Image Matting is a hidden gem for photographers, marketers, and anyone who needs to remove background from images quickly and accurately. Think of it as the AI-powered sidekick to your GIF editing toolkit.

Aiarty Image Matting uses advanced AI technology to handle tricky subjects like hair, lace, or intricate patterns. The tool is not just accurate but also easy to use. You can remove the background with just one click.

Remove Background from GIF with Aiarty

If you are dealing with a large number of images, Aiarty supports batch processing. This feature allows you to handle up to 3,000 images at once, which enhances productivity for projects requiring high-volume editing. For those who don't want to pay for the After Effects subscription, it is also an effective workaround to remove the background of all frames in batch (with one click) and then animate them into a GIF.

For those in e-commerce or design, altering or enhancing images is often necessary. Aiarty offers options to upscale, edit, and change image background in batch. These features make it a versatile tool for improving the overall quality of your image projects.

Key Features

  • AI-Powered Precision: Automatically detects edges, even for tricky subjects like hair, fur, or lace.
  • One-Click Removal: Remove backgrounds in seconds—no manual work required.
  • Batch Processing: Edit hundreds of images at once (perfect for e-commerce product photos).
  • High-Resolution Output: Save images in up to 8K resolution for professional use.
  • Custom Backgrounds: Replace backgrounds with solid colors, gradients, or your own images.

Pro Tip: Pair Aiarty Image Matting with GIF tools for projects that mix static and animated content. For example, create a transparent-background product photo with Aiarty, then animate it into a GIF for social media!

Final Thoughts

Removing backgrounds from GIFs doesn't have to be complicated—or expensive! Whether you are a hobbyist making memes, a marketer creating branded content, or a developer automating workflows, there's a tool here for you.

The best part? Most tools have free versions, so you can experiment without spending a dime. Start with something simple, and work your way up to advanced tools as your skills grow. Remember, the goal is to make your GIFs stand out—whether it's for a viral meme, a sleek product demo, or a professional campaign. Don't sweat the technical stuff; these tools handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on creativity.

And also, download and try Aiarty Image Matting for still images. It's the perfect AI background remover for photos, especially if you are mixing static and animated content.

This post was written by Brenda Peng who is a seasoned editor at Digiarty Software who loves turning ordinary photos into extraordinary works of art. With AI assistance from DeepSeek for brainstorming and drafting, the post is reviewed for accuracy by our expert Abby Poole for her expertise in this field.

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