Focus vs Pro: Open Source vs Premium API Model Comparison#

Pro is our best model overall, delivering superior pixel accuracy and edge detection. Built with larger models and running on specialized AI hardware (AWS Inferentia), Pro is available exclusively through our API. The Focus model is our open source solution, still delivering excellent quality for ultimate privacy since images never leave your computer.

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API documentation for integration
Process images with Pro model via API

Model Comparison Overview#

Below you will find side-by-side comparisons of alpha mattes generated by both models. The comparisons show the original image, Focus model alpha matte, and Pro model alpha matte. Pro consistently produces the highest quality results with superior edge detection and detail preservation, particularly with complex hair, fine details, and challenging compositions.

Reading the Comparisons

Each comparison shows three images: the original, Focus alpha matte (labeled "Quality"), and Pro alpha matte (labeled "Pro"). Alpha mattes are grayscale images where white represents foreground (subject) and black represents background.

Pro Model Advantages

Best pixel accuracy and edge detection overall
Superior handling of complex hair and fur textures
Built with larger, more sophisticated models
Runs on specialized AI chips (AWS Inferentia)
Highest quality alpha matte transitions
Exceptional detail preservation

Focus Model Advantages

Open source (Apache 2.0 license)
Ultimate privacy: images never leave your computer
Run locally without API dependencies
Still delivers excellent quality for most use cases
Free to use and modify

Visual Comparisons#

These comparisons demonstrate real-world performance across diverse image types. No cherry-picking: both successful results and challenging cases are shown.

Close-up street portrait with windblown curly hair and dramatic backlight, challenging fine hair edges

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Windblown Curly Portrait — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Windblown Curly Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Windblown Curly Portrait — Pro Alpha MattePro

Back view of a person with windblown curly hair and a backpack near a chain-link fence, city skyline softly blurred

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Windblown Curly Hair with Backpack — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Windblown Curly Hair with Backpack — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Windblown Curly Hair with Backpack — Pro Alpha MattePro

Bearded man with curly hair in an office setting, fine hair edges and shallow depth of field

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Bearded Man Portrait — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Bearded Man Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Bearded Man Portrait — Pro Alpha MattePro

Smiling woman at sunset with confetti and rim-lit curls, challenging fine hair edges

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Confetti Sunset Portrait — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Confetti Sunset Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Confetti Sunset Portrait — Pro Alpha MattePro

Smiling man in a yellow jacket by the sea at sunset with a lighthouse in the background

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Smiling Man at Seaside Sunset — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Smiling Man at Seaside Sunset — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Smiling Man at Seaside Sunset — Pro Alpha MattePro

Young woman smiling at the camera by the sea at golden hour, with freckles and a floral dress

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Smiling Woman by the Sea — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Smiling Woman by the Sea — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Smiling Woman by the Sea — Pro Alpha MattePro

Bearded man close-up on a city street with buildings in the background

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Street Portrait — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Street Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Street Portrait — Pro Alpha MattePro

Small spoked bicycle wheel with knobby tire on a wooden tabletop, thin spokes and circular edge

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)

Original image: Spoked Bike Wheel — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Spoked Bike Wheel — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Spoked Bike Wheel — Pro Alpha MattePro

Woman riding a bicycle with strong motion blur against a golden field at sunset

Shot with 35mm Film Camera (Pentax)

Original image: Cyclist in Motion — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Cyclist in Motion — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Cyclist in Motion — Pro Alpha MattePro

Elderly man running with motion blur, flaring coat and blurred background

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Elderly Man Running — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Elderly Man Running — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Elderly Man Running — Pro Alpha MattePro

Bright campfire flames rising from a ring of rocks against a dark night background

Shot with Canon 500D (Canon 500D with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens)

Original image: Campfire Flames at Night — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Campfire Flames at Night — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Campfire Flames at Night — Pro Alpha MattePro

Sprinter in red tracksuit with strong motion blur and semi-transparent trails

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Sprinter Motion Blur — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Sprinter Motion Blur — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Sprinter Motion Blur — Pro Alpha MattePro

Small balcony plant with bokeh background and thin leaves and stems

Shot with Canon 5D (Canon 5D Mark II with Takumar 50mm f/1.4)

Original image: Balcony Plant Bokeh — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Balcony Plant Bokeh — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Balcony Plant Bokeh — Pro Alpha MattePro

Two gravel bikes with drop bars on grass in a park, overlapping wheels and thin spokes

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S8)

Original image: Two Gravel Bikes in Park — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Two Gravel Bikes in Park — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Two Gravel Bikes in Park — Pro Alpha MattePro

Dried purple flowers in a painted clay vase on a wooden table, thin stems and fine details

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S8)

Original image: Dried Flowers in Clay Vase — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Dried Flowers in Clay Vase — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Dried Flowers in Clay Vase — Pro Alpha MattePro

Trailing hanging houseplant silhouetted against a bright window, fine leaves and chain details

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)

Original image: Hanging Plant in Window — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Hanging Plant in Window — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Hanging Plant in Window — Pro Alpha MattePro

Mixed autumn bouquet in a glass vase near a window, thin stems and overlapping leaves

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)

Original image: Autumn Bouquet in Vase — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Autumn Bouquet in Vase — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Autumn Bouquet in Vase — Pro Alpha MattePro

Red flower stem on a balcony with bokeh city buildings and autumn trees in the background

Shot with Canon 5D (Canon 5D Mark II with Takumar 50mm f/1.4)

Original image: Red Flower on Balcony — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Red Flower on Balcony — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Red Flower on Balcony — Pro Alpha MattePro

Terrier dog mugshot with complex hair details and challenging edge transitions

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Terrier Dog Mugshot — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Terrier Dog Mugshot — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Terrier Dog Mugshot — Pro Alpha MattePro

Thin wild grass seed stem in focus against blurred autumn foliage background

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)

Original image: Grass Seed Stem — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Grass Seed Stem — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Grass Seed Stem — Pro Alpha MattePro

Green compound leaf with raindrops in focus against blurred groundcover background

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)

Original image: Compound Leaf with Raindrops — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Compound Leaf with Raindrops — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Compound Leaf with Raindrops — Pro Alpha MattePro

Clusters of bright orange berries on a leafy branch with blurred sky and trees in the background

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)

Original image: Orange Berries on Branch — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Orange Berries on Branch — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Orange Berries on Branch — Pro Alpha MattePro

Side-view cargo e-bike parked on a paved path beside tram tracks in a park under a cloudy sky

Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)

Original image: Cargo E-Bike by Tracks — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Cargo E-Bike by Tracks — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Cargo E-Bike by Tracks — Pro Alpha MattePro

Bicycle handlebar with a small vase of yellow flowers by the sea on a sandy beach

Shot with 35mm Film Camera (Pentax)

Original image: Bike Handlebar at Beach — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Bike Handlebar at Beach — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Bike Handlebar at Beach — Pro Alpha MattePro

White chess pieces arranged on a board in a club setting with players blurred in the background

Shot with Nikon D90 (Nikon D90 with Nikkor 50mm f/1.8)

Original image: White Chess Pieces at Tournament — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: White Chess Pieces at Tournament — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: White Chess Pieces at Tournament — Pro Alpha MattePro

Young woman with wavy dark hair standing in a field at sunset, softly rim-lit and wearing an earthy jacket

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Sunset Field Portrait — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Sunset Field Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Sunset Field Portrait — Pro Alpha MattePro

Side profile of a person blowing dandelion seeds in warm backlight with drifting fluff

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Blowing Dandelion Seeds — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Blowing Dandelion Seeds — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Blowing Dandelion Seeds — Pro Alpha MattePro

Bearded man with messy hair in a warm indoor setting at night, with window bokeh in the background

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Messy-Haired Bearded Portrait — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Messy-Haired Bearded Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Messy-Haired Bearded Portrait — Pro Alpha MattePro

Dancer in a colorful windbreaker and cap striking a dynamic pose on a gray studio background

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Street Dancer in Studio — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Street Dancer in Studio — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Street Dancer in Studio — Pro Alpha MattePro

Middle-aged woman with glasses and a patterned scarf looking at the camera on a city street, with a blurred bus in the background

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Woman Street Portrait with Glasses — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Woman Street Portrait with Glasses — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Woman Street Portrait with Glasses — Pro Alpha MattePro

Back view of a person with a messy bun against blurred city buildings, including an orange facade

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Messy Bun in Cityscape — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Messy Bun in Cityscape — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Messy Bun in Cityscape — Pro Alpha MattePro

Whiteboard covered with handwritten trigonometry formulas, examples, and unit circle diagrams

Shot with HP 635 Digital Camera (HP 635 Digital Camera - 2.1MP)

Original image: Trigonometry Notes on Whiteboard — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Trigonometry Notes on Whiteboard — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Trigonometry Notes on Whiteboard — Pro Alpha MattePro

Rocky coastline and blue sea with a leafy bush in the foreground under a hazy sky

Shot with HP 635 Digital Camera (HP 635 Digital Camera - 2.1MP)

Original image: Rocky Coast with Bush — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Rocky Coast with Bush — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Rocky Coast with Bush — Pro Alpha MattePro

Balcony planter with white and purple flowers against blurred apartment buildings in the background

Shot with Canon 5D (Canon 5D Mark II with Takumar 50mm f/1.4)

Original image: Balcony Flower Planter — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Balcony Flower Planter — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Balcony Flower Planter — Pro Alpha MattePro

Person with curly hair in a hoodie standing on a rocky mountaintop at sunrise, with hazy ridgelines in the distance

Shot with 35mm Film Camera (Zenit 11 with Helios 44-2 58mm f/2)

Original image: Back View at Mountain Sunrise — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Back View at Mountain Sunrise — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Back View at Mountain Sunrise — Pro Alpha MattePro

Small wooden fishing boat loaded with gear on calm water, captured in black and white

Shot with Medium Format Film (Lubitel 166)

Original image: Small Fishing Boat — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Small Fishing Boat — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Small Fishing Boat — Pro Alpha MattePro

Close-up tabby cat with green eyes indoors near a window

Shot with Smartphone (Galaxy S5)

Original image: Tabby Cat Portrait — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Tabby Cat Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Tabby Cat Portrait — Pro Alpha MattePro

Two city bikes standing on a dry field, with a small vase of yellow flowers on the foreground bike’s handlebar

Shot with 35mm Film Camera (Pentax)

Original image: Two Bikes in Field — Original Image

Focus model alpha matte: Two Bikes in Field — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

Pro model alpha matte: Two Bikes in Field — Pro Alpha MattePro

Technical Specifications#

Feature	Focus (v0.2.0)	Pro (API)
Status	Active (Open Source)	Active (Premium API)
Availability	Open source (Apache 2.0)	API only
Pixel Accuracy	Excellent	Best Overall
Edge Quality	Excellent	Superior
Model Size	Optimized for local use	Larger models
Hardware	CPU/GPU	AWS Inferentia (specialized AI chip)
Privacy	Images never leave your computer	Server-side processing (deleted after processing)
Free Credits	Unlimited (run locally)	50 credits on signup
Recommended Use	Privacy-sensitive applications, local processing	Highest quality requirements, production API

Installation & Usage#

Focus is available through open source packages, while Pro is accessed via API.

Focus (Open Source)

Run instantly with Docker (uses Focus by default)

docker run -p 8000:8000 withoutbg/webapp

Python Package

Install via pip (Focus is the default model)

pip install withoutbg

Pro (API)

API Request

Process images with Pro model via API

api

curl -X POST https://api.withoutbg.com/v1/remove-background \ -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY' \ -F 'image=@input.jpg' \ -o output.png

See full API documentation for integration details.

Pro Model Results - Comprehensive quality examples from the Pro model
Focus Model Results - Quality examples from the open source Focus model
Snap vs Focus - Compare older Snap model with current Focus model
API Documentation - Complete guide to using the Pro model via API
Python SDK - Python package for Focus open source model

Focus vs Pro: Open Source vs Premium API Model Comparison#

Get Started with 50 Free Credits

Model Comparison Overview#

Reading the Comparisons

Pro Model Advantages

Focus Model Advantages

Visual Comparisons#

Technical Specifications#

Installation & Usage#

Focus (Open Source)

Pro (API)

Related Resources#