Snap vs Focus: Open Source Model Comparison#

Snap is our previous open source model. We now recommend the Focus model as the default for all use cases. In general, Focus performs better than Snap, delivering higher quality alpha mattes with improved edge detection. However, in some specific cases Snap may produce acceptable results.

Default Model in All Tools

Focus is our best open source model and is set as the default in:

Python package (withoutbg)
Dockerized web application
All open source tools we publish

Model Comparison Overview#

Below you will find side-by-side comparisons of alpha mattes generated by both models. The comparisons show the original image, Snap model alpha matte, and Focus model alpha matte. Focus generally produces cleaner edges and better detail preservation, particularly with complex hair, fine details, and challenging compositions.

Reading the Comparisons

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

Focus Advantages

Better edge detection on complex hair and fur
Improved handling of fine details and intricate patterns
More accurate foreground/background separation
Cleaner alpha matte transitions

When Snap May Be Acceptable

Simple subjects with clear edges
High-contrast scenes
When speed is more critical than quality

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

Snap model alpha matte: Windblown Curly Portrait — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Windblown Curly Hair with Backpack — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Bearded Man Portrait — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Confetti Sunset Portrait — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Smiling Man at Seaside Sunset — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Smiling Woman by the Sea — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Street Portrait — Original Image

Snap model alpha matte: Street Portrait — Snap Alpha MatteFast

Focus model alpha matte: Street Portrait — Focus Alpha MatteQuality

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

Snap model alpha matte: Spoked Bike Wheel — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Cyclist in Motion — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Elderly Man Running — Original Image

Snap model alpha matte: Elderly Man Running — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Campfire Flames at Night — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Sprinter Motion Blur — Original Image

Snap model alpha matte: Sprinter Motion Blur — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Balcony Plant Bokeh — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Two Gravel Bikes in Park — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Dried Flowers in Clay Vase — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Hanging Plant in Window — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Autumn Bouquet in Vase — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Red Flower on Balcony — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

Terrier dog mugshot with complex hair details and challenging edge transitions

AI-generated with midjourney

Original image: Terrier Dog Mugshot — Original Image

Snap model alpha matte: Terrier Dog Mugshot — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Grass Seed Stem — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Compound Leaf with Raindrops — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Orange Berries on Branch — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Cargo E-Bike by Tracks — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Bike Handlebar at Beach — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: White Chess Pieces at Tournament — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Sunset Field Portrait — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Blowing Dandelion Seeds — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Messy-Haired Bearded Portrait — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Street Dancer in Studio — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Woman Street Portrait with Glasses — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Messy Bun in Cityscape — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Trigonometry Notes on Whiteboard — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Rocky Coast with Bush — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Balcony Flower Planter — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Back View at Mountain Sunrise — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Small Fishing Boat — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Shot with Smartphone (Galaxy S5)

Original image: Tabby Cat Portrait — Original Image

Snap model alpha matte: Tabby Cat Portrait — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

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

Snap model alpha matte: Two Bikes in Field — Snap Alpha MatteFast

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

Technical Specifications#

Feature	Snap (v0.1.0)	Focus (v0.2.0)
Status	Deprecated	Active (Default)
License	Apache 2.0	Apache 2.0
Edge Quality	Good	Excellent
Fine Detail Handling	Moderate	Superior
Processing Speed	Fast	Moderate
Recommended Use	Legacy support only	All use cases

Installation & Usage#

Both models are available through the same package. Focus is the default model.

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

Focus Model Results - Comprehensive quality examples from the Focus model
Snap Model Results - Quality examples from the deprecated Snap model
Focus vs Pro - Compare open source Focus with premium Pro API

Snap vs Focus: Open Source Model Comparison#

Default Model in All Tools

Model Comparison Overview#

Reading the Comparisons

Focus Advantages

When Snap May Be Acceptable

Visual Comparisons#

Technical Specifications#

Installation & Usage#

Related Resources#