PhotoRoom: Two-minute review

Removing backgrounds from images used to mean manually masking subjects.

Adding different backdrops and drop shadows required a deft touch, too.

It can even transform self-portraits into headshots that pass for professional.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

Its easy to use, yet the results are broadly believable.

If you only want to separate subjects from their backgrounds, there are cheaper and even free alternatives.

Many of its features can be accessed without a subscription, including the background and object removal tools.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

Paying for full access removes the PhotoRoom logo and export cap.

Pricing for the Pro plan varies based on the frequency of the renewal period you choose.

PhotoRoom offers a free trial of the Pro features through its smartphone apps.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

Be aware that this will auto-renew if not cancelled before the end of the trial.

Once youre happy with the cutout, your first option is to explore PhotoRooms preset templates.

Some are purely functional, making the background transparent or resizing the canvas for different social platforms.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

Others keep it simple and professional, with a drop shadow and a plain backdrop.

The most dynamic add everything from text headlines and graphic elements to photorealistic tweaks and artistic blurring.

A tap or a click is all it takes to apply any of the templates.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

Whats more, every component in the template can be repositioned, rotated and resized to suit.

Each occupies a separate layer, which you’re able to drag to rearrange.

it’s possible for you to also tweak each layer using the adjustment toggles and sliders.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

All of these tools are intuitive to use, and the learning curve is minimal.

The instant backgrounds tab is where AI really steps into the spotlight.

Pick one, and youll get four versions of that theme.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

If none fit the bill, you might tap to generate four more.

Where backgrounds get really interesting is with custom prompts.

Under the assisted tab, you’re able to specify the surface and any background details youd like.

PhotoRoom review screenshot

you might also upload an image as a prompt.

All three are straightforward to use and genuinely accessible.

PhotoRoom: Cutouts

Any background removal tool is only as effective as its subject recognition.

PhotoRoom review screenshots

Luckily, PhotoRoom is remarkably good at detecting and selecting.

From clothes to creatures, it effortlessly traced around countless subjects in our tests.

Thats not to say its perfect.

It can struggle when presented with busy scenes that feature multiple potential subjects.

But upload a well-lit image in clear focus and PhotoRoom will almost always extract it cleanly from its surroundings.

This is good, because editing a cutout isnt the most precise affair.

The guided mode is useful if you want to simply remove specific objects from the selection.

But when it comes to manually refining the mask, youll need fine fingerwork to paint around objects.

PhotoRoom: Performance

A creative eye is still required when it comes to working with templates.

With the right touch, results can be fun and dynamic.

The believability factor is far higher with PhotoRooms instant backgrounds.

Thats not to say that every placement looks like a real photo.

You will still encounter AI artifacts, especially with backgrounds generated from prompts.

One background made a bicycle look like a miniature model on a shelf, for example.

Swapping the table for a concrete step, it added a subtle reflection in the polished stone below.

Equally, when situating a lamp on a bedside table, it cast a glow on the neighboring wall.

Its these details that make PhotoRoom stand out as a tool for product photography.

As with many generative tools, prompts wont always yield the exact visual you had in mind.

But the option does put an arsenal of creative possibilities at your fingertips, with no training required.

This works best with similarly framed shots.

In short, PhotoRoom is a powerful tool for producing virtual photoshoots.

Should I buy PhotoRoom?

Cutout subjects are seamlessly inserted and all elements can be individually adjusted.

Designs can be quickly resized for different platforms, too.

Youre new to graphic design and image editingWhile its potential is powerful, PhotoRoom is impressively easy to use.

If your design demands are more advanced, youre better off looking at Adobe Photoshop or a similar alternative.

You cant shoot clear source imagesPhotoRoom can struggle with low-resolution or poorly lit images.

It works best when you feed it sharp, well-lit source material where edges are clearly defined.

If you dont have the setup for this, you may be disappointed.

PhotoRoom: Also consider

The closest competitor to PhotoRoom isAdobe Creative Cloud Express.