10 Best AI Video Object Removers (Free and Paid, 2026)
10 Best AI Video Object Removers (Free and Paid, 2026)
You just finished recording a product demo, but there’s a coffee cup sitting in frame the entire time. Or a stranger walked through your outdoor shoot. Or your client’s competitor logo is visible on a whiteboard in the background.
Five years ago, fixing any of these meant hiring a VFX artist or spending hours in After Effects doing frame-by-frame rotoscoping. Today, AI tools can track and erase unwanted objects from video in minutes. The technology works by analyzing each frame, tracking the selected object’s movement, and filling in the gap with reconstructed background data — a process called inpainting. According to recent research from Stanford’s Computational Imaging Lab, modern video inpainting models can now handle moving cameras and dynamic backgrounds with fewer visible artifacts than manual techniques.
In this guide, we tested 10 tools to help you remove objects from video with AI — from free mobile apps to professional desktop software. We checked real pricing, tested removal quality, and documented the actual limitations you’ll hit. If you’re also working with video content you want to repurpose, check out our AI video analysis tools for transcription and content extraction alongside object removal.
Quick Picks
Best overall (pro quality): Runway — From $12/month. Browser-based inpainting with frame-accurate tracking.
Best free mobile app: CapCut — Free (Pro from $7.99/month). Built-in object removal in the mobile editor.
Best free desktop tool: DaVinci Resolve Studio — $295 one-time. Professional object removal with no subscription.
Best for quick browser edits: Media.io — Free with watermark. No install needed, drag-and-drop interface.
Comparison Table
| Tool | Best For | Platform | Price | Max Resolution | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runway | Pro-quality inpainting | Browser | From $12/month | 4K | Intermediate |
| CapCut | Mobile object removal | Mobile + Web | Free (Pro $7.99/mo) | 4K (Pro) | Beginner |
| Adobe After Effects | Complex VFX work | Desktop | $22.99/month | 8K+ | Advanced |
| Picsart | Social media edits | Mobile + Web | Free (Gold $5/mo) | 1080p (4K Gold) | Beginner |
| DaVinci Resolve Studio | Free pro desktop | Desktop | $295 one-time | 8K+ | Advanced |
| HitPaw | Simple one-click removal | Desktop | From $39.99/month | 4K | Beginner |
| Media.io | Quick browser edits | Browser | Free (paid for HD) | 1080p (4K paid) | Beginner |
| Fotor | Free online removal | Browser | Free (Pro $3.33/mo) | 1080p | Beginner |
| Filmora | All-in-one video editor | Desktop + Mobile | From $49.99/year | 4K | Beginner |
| Topaz Video AI | Upscaling + cleanup | Desktop | $299 one-time | 8K | Intermediate |
1. Runway
Runway is a browser-based creative AI platform with a dedicated Inpainting tool. You paint over the object you want removed, and the AI tracks it across frames and fills in the background. The results are the best we’ve seen from any web-based tool, especially on scenes with moving cameras.
Platform: Browser (web-based)
Price: Free plan with 125 one-time credits. Standard plan at $12/month (625 credits). Pro plan at $28/month (2,250 credits). Unlimited plan at $76/month.
Pros: Best-in-class removal quality, handles moving cameras and complex backgrounds, no software install, 4K export support, integrates with other Runway AI tools
Cons: Credit system means you pay per use, credits don’t roll over month to month, needs a stable internet connection, steeper learning curve than mobile apps
Best for: Videographers and content creators who need clean, artifact-free results on complex scenes
2. CapCut
CapCut has a built-in “Remove objects” feature in its mobile editor. You brush over the unwanted item, the AI tracks it, and it disappears. For quick social media content, it’s the easiest option available. The desktop and web versions also support object removal.
Platform: iOS, Android, Desktop, Web
Price: Object removal is available in the free version. Pro plan costs $7.99/month (or $74.99/year) and removes watermarks and unlocks 4K export.
Pros: Free to use, extremely simple interface, fast processing (1-3 minutes for short clips), available on every platform, solid results on static or slow-moving objects
Cons: Struggles with fast-moving objects, free version adds a watermark, less precise than desktop tools, limited masking controls
Best for: Social media creators who need fast object removal on their phone without learning new software
3. Adobe After Effects
Adobe After Effects includes Content-Aware Fill, which is still the industry standard for professional object removal. You mask the object, track it, and the AI reconstructs the background using surrounding frame data. It handles complex, fast-moving scenes better than any other tool on this list.
Platform: Desktop (Windows, macOS)
Price: $22.99/month on an annual plan. $34.49/month on a month-to-month plan. Part of the Creative Cloud All Apps bundle at $59.99/month.
Pros: Most precise removal tool available, advanced masking and rotoscoping, handles any resolution including 8K, integrates directly with Premiere Pro, supports every video format
Cons: Expensive subscription, steep learning curve (not for beginners), resource-intensive — needs a powerful computer, overkill for simple removals
Best for: Professional editors working on commercial projects, film, or broadcast content who need pixel-perfect results
4. Picsart
Picsart is primarily a photo editor, but its video tools include AI object removal. It works well for removing static elements like logos, text overlays, and watermarks from social media clips. The interface is simple and the app already has over a billion downloads.
Platform: iOS, Android, Web
Price: Basic object removal is free. Gold plan at $5/month (billed annually at $60/year) unlocks HD export, removes watermarks, and adds premium templates.
Pros: Free version handles basic removals, familiar interface for existing Picsart users, cross-platform, includes photo and video editing in one app
Cons: Video object removal is less accurate than dedicated tools, struggles with moving objects, watermark on free exports, slower processing on longer videos
Best for: Casual creators already using Picsart for photo editing who want basic video cleanup without switching apps
5. DaVinci Resolve Studio
DaVinci Resolve Studio includes an Object Removal plugin powered by its Neural Engine AI. It analyzes surrounding frames and fills in the removed area automatically. The free version of DaVinci Resolve does not include this feature — you need the Studio version.
Platform: Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Price: $295 one-time purchase. No subscription. The free version of DaVinci Resolve is available but does not include AI object removal.
Pros: One-time payment with no recurring fees, professional-grade removal quality, supports 8K+, includes a full video editor with color grading and audio, runs on Linux
Cons: Object removal only in the paid Studio version (not the free edition), steep learning curve, resource-intensive, complex interface for beginners
Best for: Editors who want professional object removal without a monthly subscription and are willing to invest time learning the software
6. HitPaw Video Object Remover
HitPaw Video Object Remover is a dedicated desktop app built specifically for removing objects from video. Select an area with the AI brush, and the tool tracks and removes it automatically. It’s simpler than After Effects or DaVinci Resolve, but also less precise.
Platform: Desktop (Windows, macOS)
Price: From $39.99/month. Annual and lifetime license options available. Free trial with watermark. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros: One-click detection and removal, works offline (no privacy concerns with cloud uploads), simple interface, supports 4K, batch processing available
Cons: Expensive monthly subscription for what it does, basic AI compared to Runway or After Effects, watermark on free trial, limited masking precision
Best for: Users who want dedicated, offline object removal software with a simple workflow
7. Media.io Video Eraser
Media.io is a browser-based tool that lets you remove objects, watermarks, and text from video without installing anything. Upload your clip, brush over the object, and download. It’s a good option for quick, simple removals.
Platform: Browser (web-based)
Price: Free with a Media.io watermark. Paid plans remove the watermark and unlock higher resolution exports. Free daily credits for new users.
Pros: No software to install, drag-and-drop interface, handles watermark and logo removal well, free tier is usable for short clips, supports MP4/MOV/AVI
Cons: Free exports have a watermark, limited to shorter videos on the free plan, less accurate than desktop tools, requires an internet connection
Best for: Quick, one-off removals of watermarks, logos, or text overlays without installing software
8. Fotor
Fotor added AI video object removal to its existing photo editing platform. The tool uses one-click detection to find and remove people, logos, and text from video. It’s free to use with basic exports.
Platform: Browser (web-based)
Price: Free with limited exports. Pro plan at $3.33/month (billed annually). Fotor Pro+ at $7.49/month.
Pros: Very affordable paid plans, clean interface, free tier works for simple removals, one-click AI detection, also includes photo editing tools
Cons: Newer video feature with less refinement than competitors, limited format support, free resolution capped at 1080p, struggles with complex scenes
Best for: Budget-conscious users who want a simple, affordable browser-based option
9. Filmora
Filmora from Wondershare includes a Smart Cutout feature that lets you outline an object once, then the AI tracks it automatically across frames. It’s part of a full video editor, so you can do object removal alongside your other edits in one place.
Platform: Desktop (Windows, macOS), Mobile (iOS, Android)
Price: Annual plan at $49.99/year. Perpetual license at $79.99 one-time. Free trial available with watermark.
Pros: Full video editor with object removal built in, AI tracking reduces manual work, affordable compared to Adobe, beginner-friendly interface, supports 4K
Cons: AI tracking can lose objects in fast motion, perpetual license doesn’t include future major updates, some AI features require additional credits, not as precise as After Effects
Best for: Beginners and intermediate editors who want object removal as part of a full-featured, affordable video editor
10. Topaz Video AI
Topaz Video AI is primarily known for video upscaling and enhancement, but it also handles artifact removal and cleanup. It’s best for removing visual noise, compression artifacts, and stabilizing shaky footage rather than erasing specific objects. If your goal is cleaning up video quality rather than removing a specific person or logo, Topaz is a strong option.
Platform: Desktop (Windows, macOS)
Price: $299 one-time purchase. Free trial available. Includes one year of updates.
Pros: Best-in-class upscaling and denoising, one-time payment with no subscription, supports up to 8K, works offline, handles batch processing
Cons: Not designed for targeted object removal (no brush/mask tool for selecting specific items), expensive upfront cost, very GPU-intensive, slow processing times on longer videos
Best for: Creators focused on video quality improvement — upscaling, denoising, and stabilization — rather than removing specific objects
How to Remove Objects in CapCut
Since CapCut is the most accessible free option, here’s how to use it step by step:
- Open your project. Launch CapCut on your phone and add your video clip to the timeline.
- Find the Remove tool. Tap on the clip, then go to Edit > Retouch > Remove objects.
- Brush over the object. Use your finger to paint over the item you want gone. Be precise around the edges for cleaner results.
- Let the AI process. Tap the checkmark. CapCut will track the object across frames and fill in the background. This usually takes 1-3 minutes.
- Review and export. Scrub through the video to check the result. If it looks good, export. If not, undo and try a more precise selection.
For tips on working with video content beyond object removal, our guide to AI tools for video covers transcription, summarization, and other time-saving workflows.
Tips for Better Results
The quality of AI object removal depends a lot on your source footage. Here are practical ways to get cleaner output:
Shoot stable footage. Camera shake makes the AI’s job harder. Use a tripod or stabilization when possible. If you’re working with existing shaky footage, stabilize it first (CapCut and DaVinci Resolve both have stabilization tools).
Choose simple backgrounds. Objects against a plain wall or sky are much easier to remove than objects in front of complex, detailed backgrounds. The AI has to reconstruct whatever was behind the object, and simpler backgrounds mean fewer mistakes.
Select precisely. Include a small border around the object when masking, but don’t select too much extra area. Over-selecting creates unnecessary artifacts.
Start with short clips. Process a 5-second test before committing to a full video. This saves time if you need to adjust your approach.
Try multiple tools. Each AI handles different scenarios better. Runway might nail a scene that CapCut struggles with, and vice versa. If your first attempt has visible artifacts, try a different tool before giving up.
Try ScreenApp for Video
If you’re working with video content that needs more than just object removal — like transcription, summarization, or converting video to documents — ScreenApp handles those workflows. Upload any video file and use the AI to extract spoken content, analyze visual information, or create written documents from your footage.
FAQ
What is the best free app to remove objects from video?
CapCut is the best free option for mobile users. The object removal feature works in the free version on iOS and Android. For browser-based removal, Media.io and Fotor both offer free tiers. Free tools add watermarks and cap resolution, but they handle basic removals well enough for social media content.
Can AI remove a moving person from a video?
Yes. Tools like Runway and Adobe After Effects can track and remove moving people. The AI follows the person frame by frame and reconstructs the background. Results depend on how complex the movement is and what’s behind the person. Slow, predictable motion against a simple background gives the cleanest output. Fast, erratic movement in a crowded scene will show more artifacts.
Is it safe to upload video to online object removers?
Reputable tools like Runway, Media.io, and Fotor process your video on their servers and delete it after processing. Check each tool’s privacy policy before uploading anything sensitive. If you’re working with confidential footage, use an offline tool like HitPaw or DaVinci Resolve Studio, which process everything locally on your computer.
How much does AI video object removal cost?
Costs range from free to $295. CapCut and Fotor offer free tiers. Runway starts at $12/month, Adobe After Effects at $22.99/month, and HitPaw at $39.99/month. For one-time purchases, DaVinci Resolve Studio costs $295 and Topaz Video AI costs $299. If you only need occasional, simple removals, free browser tools like Media.io or Fotor will work fine.
Can I remove a watermark from someone else’s video?
Technically, yes — these tools can remove watermarks. But doing so on copyrighted content you don’t own is illegal in most countries and violates the terms of service of every tool listed here. Only remove watermarks from your own content, such as removing a free tool’s watermark from footage you created by upgrading to a paid plan.
What video formats do object removal tools support?
Most tools support MP4, MOV, and AVI. Professional tools like After Effects and DaVinci Resolve support nearly every format including ProRes, DNxHR, and MXF. Browser-based tools are typically limited to MP4 and MOV with file size caps (usually 100MB-500MB on free plans). If you need to convert your video format first, check out our guide to AI tools for video for conversion options.
Why does the removed area look blurry or distorted?
Blurry patches happen when the AI can’t reconstruct the background accurately. Common causes: the object was too large relative to the frame, the background behind it was complex (lots of detail and movement), or the source video resolution was too low. Try using a higher-quality source file, selecting a smaller area, or switching to a more capable tool like Runway or After Effects. Shooting at 1080p or higher also helps.
Related Guides
- ScreenApp Video Analyzer — AI-powered analysis for any video file
- AI Video Editor — Edit and enhance video with AI tools
- AI Tools for Video — Full roundup of AI video tools for creators
- Best Online Video Editors — Compare browser-based video editors
FAQ
CapCut is the best free option for mobile users. The object removal feature works in the free version on iOS and Android. For browser-based removal, Media.io and Fotor both offer free tiers. Free tools add watermarks and cap resolution, but they handle basic removals well enough for social media content.
Yes. Tools like Runway and Adobe After Effects can track and remove moving people. The AI follows the person frame by frame and reconstructs the background. Results depend on how complex the movement is and what's behind the person. Slow, predictable motion against a simple background gives the cleanest output. Fast, erratic movement in a crowded scene will show more artifacts.
Reputable tools like Runway, Media.io, and Fotor process your video on their servers and delete it after processing. Check each tool's privacy policy before uploading anything sensitive. If you're working with confidential footage, use an offline tool like HitPaw or DaVinci Resolve Studio, which process everything locally on your computer.
Costs range from free to $295. CapCut and Fotor offer free tiers. Runway starts at $12/month, Adobe After Effects at $22.99/month, and HitPaw at $39.99/month. For one-time purchases, DaVinci Resolve Studio costs $295 and Topaz Video AI costs $299. If you only need occasional, simple removals, free browser tools like Media.io or Fotor will work fine.
Technically, yes -- these tools can remove watermarks. But doing so on copyrighted content you don't own is illegal in most countries and violates the terms of service of every tool listed here. Only remove watermarks from your own content, such as removing a free tool's watermark from footage you created by upgrading to a paid plan.
Most tools support MP4, MOV, and AVI. Professional tools like After Effects and DaVinci Resolve support nearly every format including ProRes, DNxHR, and MXF. Browser-based tools are typically limited to MP4 and MOV with file size caps (usually 100MB-500MB on free plans). If you need to convert your video format first, check out our guide to AI tools for video for conversion options.
Blurry patches happen when the AI can't reconstruct the background accurately. Common causes: the object was too large relative to the frame, the background behind it was complex (lots of detail and movement), or the source video resolution was too low. Try using a higher-quality source file, selecting a smaller area, or switching to a more capable tool like Runway or After Effects. Shooting at 1080p or higher also helps.
