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



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



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



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



Smiling man in a yellow jacket by the sea at sunset with a lighthouse in the background
AI-generated with midjourney



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



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



Small spoked bicycle wheel with knobby tire on a wooden tabletop, thin spokes and circular edge
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)



Woman riding a bicycle with strong motion blur against a golden field at sunset
Shot with 35mm Film Camera (Pentax)



Elderly man running with motion blur, flaring coat and blurred background
AI-generated with midjourney



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)



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



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)



Two gravel bikes with drop bars on grass in a park, overlapping wheels and thin spokes
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S8)



Dried purple flowers in a painted clay vase on a wooden table, thin stems and fine details
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S8)



Trailing hanging houseplant silhouetted against a bright window, fine leaves and chain details
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)



Mixed autumn bouquet in a glass vase near a window, thin stems and overlapping leaves
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)



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)



Terrier dog mugshot with complex hair details and challenging edge transitions
AI-generated with midjourney



Thin wild grass seed stem in focus against blurred autumn foliage background
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)



Green compound leaf with raindrops in focus against blurred groundcover background
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)



Clusters of bright orange berries on a leafy branch with blurred sky and trees in the background
Shot with Smartphone (Samsung Galaxy S21)



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)



Bicycle handlebar with a small vase of yellow flowers by the sea on a sandy beach
Shot with 35mm Film Camera (Pentax)



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)



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



Side profile of a person blowing dandelion seeds in warm backlight with drifting fluff
AI-generated with midjourney



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



Dancer in a colorful windbreaker and cap striking a dynamic pose on a gray studio background
AI-generated with midjourney



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



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



Whiteboard covered with handwritten trigonometry formulas, examples, and unit circle diagrams
Shot with HP 635 Digital Camera (HP 635 Digital Camera - 2.1MP)



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)



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)



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)



Small wooden fishing boat loaded with gear on calm water, captured in black and white
Shot with Medium Format Film (Lubitel 166)



Close-up tabby cat with green eyes indoors near a window
Shot with Smartphone (Galaxy S5)



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)



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/webappPython Package
Install via pip (Focus is the default model)
pip install withoutbgRelated Resources#
- 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