Update: Unscreen will permanently shut down on December 1, 2025, at 09:00 CET. If you're a current Unscreen user, you need to find an alternative solution before this date. This comprehensive guide covers the best Unscreen alternatives in 2025, helping you choose the right video background remover for your needs.
Why Is Unscreen Shutting Down?
Unscreen, the popular AI-powered video background removal tool, was acquired by Canva in 2021. After several years of operation under Canva ownership, the company has decided to discontinue the standalone Unscreen service. While Canva may integrate some Unscreen technology into their platform, the dedicated Unscreen.com service will cease to exist.
What This Means for Users
- All services will stop working on December 1, 2025, 09:00 CET
- No access to previously processed videos after the shutdown
- API integrations will break immediately
- Pro subscription features will no longer be available
- No official Canva replacement has been announced
This situation affects thousands of content creators, video editors, agencies, and developers who rely on Unscreen for their workflows. Finding a suitable alternative is critical.
What to Look for in an Unscreen Alternative
Before diving into specific alternatives, let's establish what features matter most for video background removal:
Essential Features
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AI-Powered Accuracy: The tool should use advanced machine learning to detect and remove backgrounds precisely, even in complex scenes with movement and varying lighting.
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Video Length Support: Check the maximum video duration. Many tools limit free users to short clips (30-60 seconds), while paid plans should support longer content.
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Resolution Options: At minimum, you need 1080p HD output. Professional creators should look for 4K support.
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Export Formats: MP4 is standard, but MOV, WebM, and GIF support adds flexibility.
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Processing Speed: Time is money. Look for tools that process videos quickly without sacrificing quality.
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API Access: If you're a developer or run a business that processes videos programmatically, API access is non-negotiable.
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Pricing Model: Consider whether subscription, pay-as-you-go, or credit-based pricing works best for your usage patterns.
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Commercial License: Ensure the tool allows commercial use if you're creating content for clients or monetization.
Top 5 Unscreen Alternatives in 2025
1. unscreen.io - Best Overall Alternative
Why It's the Best: Built specifically as an Unscreen replacement, unscreen.io offers similar AI quality with better features and pricing flexibility.
Key Features:
- AI-powered video background removal (no green screen needed)
- Up to 30-minute video support (vs Unscreen's 5-minute limit)
- 4K resolution output
- Multiple export formats (MP4, MOV, WebM, GIF)
- REST API for developers
- Batch processing capabilities
- No watermark on paid plans
- Commercial licensing included
Pricing:
- Free: 2 videos/month, 720p, watermark
- Creator: $19/month for 50 videos, 1080p, no watermark
- Business: $49/month for 200 videos, 4K, API access
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for unlimited videos
Best For: Content creators, agencies, and businesses looking for a direct Unscreen replacement with more features at competitive pricing.
Migration Ease: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) - API similar to Unscreen's, easy migration path
2. Canva Pro (Limited)
Why Consider It: Canva may integrate Unscreen's technology, but as a general design platform, not a dedicated video tool.
Key Features:
- Background remover for images and some video support
- Integrated with Canva's design ecosystem
- Large template library
- Collaborative features
Pricing:
- Free plan with limitations
- Pro: $12.99/month (annual billing)
Limitations:
- Not a dedicated video background remover
- Limited video duration support
- Less precise than specialized tools
- No API access for developers
- Video features are secondary to design tools
Best For: Users already invested in the Canva ecosystem who need occasional background removal along with general design work.
Migration Ease: ⭐⭐ (2/5) - Different interface and workflow
3. Adobe After Effects + Rotobrush
Why Consider It: Professional-grade manual control for perfect results, but requires significant expertise.
Key Features:
- Frame-by-frame precision
- Advanced masking and rotoscoping
- Professional color grading
- Integration with Adobe Creative Suite
Pricing:
- After Effects: $22.99/month
- Full Creative Cloud: $54.99/month
Limitations:
- Steep learning curve
- Time-intensive manual work
- No automatic AI background removal (manual rotoscoping)
- Expensive for casual users
- Not practical for quick turnarounds
Best For: Professional video editors who need pixel-perfect results and have time for manual editing.
Migration Ease: ⭐ (1/5) - Completely different workflow, manual process
4. Remove.bg Video (Limited Availability)
Why Consider It: From the makers of the popular image background remover, but video features are limited.
Key Features:
- Trusted brand in background removal
- Good AI accuracy
- Simple interface
Pricing:
- Credit-based system
- Various subscription tiers
Limitations:
- Short video length limits
- Limited availability in some regions
- Fewer features than dedicated video tools
- Higher per-video cost
- No API for video (only images)
Best For: Remove.bg users who occasionally need video background removal and want to stay with a familiar brand.
Migration Ease: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) - Different platform but simple interface
5. Kapwing (Online Video Editor)
Why Consider It: All-in-one video editing platform with background removal as one feature among many.
Key Features:
- Browser-based video editor
- Background removal tool
- Additional editing features (trimming, subtitles, effects)
- Collaborative editing
Pricing:
- Free with watermark
- Pro: $16/month
Limitations:
- Background removal quality varies
- Not specialized for this use case
- Processing can be slower
- Limited advanced features
- No API access
Best For: Creators who need general video editing tools along with occasional background removal.
Migration Ease: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) - Different platform but easy to learn
Detailed Comparison: Unscreen vs Top Alternatives
| Feature | Unscreen (Ended) | unscreen.io | Canva Pro | After Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Status | Shut down Dec 1, 2025 | Active & growing | Active | Active |
| Max Video Length | 5 minutes | 30 minutes | Limited | Unlimited |
| Max Resolution | 1080p | 4K | 1080p | Unlimited |
| AI Automation | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited | ❌ Manual only |
| API Access | ✅ Yes (Pro) | ✅ Yes (Business) | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Batch Processing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ⚠️ Manual |
| Watermark (Free) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Limited | N/A |
| Starting Price | $9/mo (ended) | $19/mo | $12.99/mo | $22.99/mo |
| Best For | N/A | Direct replacement | General design | Professionals |
How to Migrate from Unscreen
Step 1: Export Your Existing Videos (URGENT)
Before December 1, 2025, download all your processed videos from Unscreen. After the shutdown, you will permanently lose access to them.
Action Items:
- Log into your Unscreen account
- Go to your video library
- Download each processed video
- Save them to a secure backup location (cloud storage + local backup recommended)
Step 2: Cancel Your Unscreen Subscription
If you have an active Unscreen Pro subscription:
- Cancel it to avoid unnecessary charges
- Contact Unscreen support to request a refund for unused time
- Keep email confirmations for your records
Step 3: Choose Your Alternative
Based on your specific needs:
- For direct replacement: unscreen.io offers the smoothest transition
- For general design work: Consider Canva Pro
- For professional editing: Adobe After Effects
- For occasional use: Free plans from various providers
Step 4: Test Before Committing
Most alternatives offer free trials or free tiers. Test them with your actual content:
- Upload 2-3 representative videos
- Check processing quality
- Verify export resolution meets your needs
- Test workflow integration
- Compare processing speed
Step 5: Migrate API Integrations
If you use Unscreen's API:
For unscreen.io Migration:
- The API structure is similar to Unscreen's
- Update your base URL to
api.unscreen.io - Change authentication from API key in URL to Bearer token
- Test your integration thoroughly
- Update error handling for new response formats
Timeline: Most API migrations take 2-4 hours for experienced developers.
Pricing Comparison: Is It Worth Switching?
Let's compare monthly costs for typical usage patterns:
Light User (5 videos/month)
- Unscreen (ended): $9/month Pro plan
- unscreen.io: Free plan (2 videos) + Creator $19/month
- Canva Pro: $12.99/month (limited video features)
- Verdict: unscreen.io offers best value with more features
Content Creator (30 videos/month)
- Unscreen (ended): $9/month Pro plan (might need multiple accounts)
- unscreen.io: $19/month Creator plan
- Canva Pro: $12.99/month (may hit limitations)
- Verdict: unscreen.io designed for this use case
Agency/Business (100+ videos/month)
- Unscreen (ended): Required multiple accounts or contact sales
- unscreen.io: $49/month Business plan (200 videos + API)
- Custom solutions: Varies widely
- Verdict: unscreen.io offers best API access and scalability
FAQ: Unscreen Alternatives
Q: Will Canva offer a direct Unscreen replacement?
A: Canva has not announced plans for a standalone Unscreen replacement. They acquired the technology but are shutting down the service.
Q: Can I use multiple alternatives simultaneously?
A: Yes! Many users maintain accounts on 2-3 services for different use cases or as backups.
Q: Which alternative has the best AI quality?
A: unscreen.io and the original Unscreen use similar AI technology. Quality is comparable, with some tools performing better on specific types of content.
Q: Are there any free alternatives with no watermark?
A: Most quality alternatives include watermarks on free tiers. You'll need a paid plan for watermark-free exports.
Q: How do I choose between unscreen.io and Canva Pro?
A: Choose unscreen.io if video background removal is your primary need. Choose Canva Pro if you need general design tools and occasional video work.
Conclusion: The Best Path Forward
The shutdown of Unscreen is disappointing for many users, but it also opens opportunities to discover tools with better features and pricing.
Our Recommendation: For most users, unscreen.io offers the best Unscreen alternative with:
- Direct feature parity (and improvements)
- Easy migration path
- Better pricing for heavy users
- Longer video support
- 4K resolution
- Reliable API for developers
- Independent service that won't suddenly shut down
Action Plan:
- Export your Unscreen videos immediately (before December 1, 2025)
- Try unscreen.io with the free 2-video plan
- Compare with any other alternatives you're considering
- Migrate before the shutdown deadline
- Update bookmarks, workflows, and team documentation
Don't wait until the last minute. Start your migration today to ensure a smooth transition and avoid workflow disruption.
Ready to migrate from Unscreen? Try unscreen.io free →
Last updated: November 13, 2024