Virtual Background for Video Conferencing: Full Guide [2026]

TL;DR:

• A virtual background for video conferencing is powered by a segmentation neural network that tags each pixel as person or background, so the scene behind the speaker can be blurred, animated, or fully replaced.

• Banuba Face AR SDK runs face tracking and AR effects on-device at 60 FPS on mid-range mobile hardware, so background replacement stays real-time without dedicated hardware.

• Banuba's virtual webcam features (background remover, face touch-up, filters) run on devices with a 1280x720 camera (recommended) and a minimum of 30 FPS.

• Platform floor for Banuba's background changer: iOS 13+, Android 8.0+, Windows 8.1+, macOS 10.13+, and WebGL-capable Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

• Users expect 8 background types: static and animated images, 3D environments, LUT color looks, full-body separation, animated effects on real backgrounds, blur, video files, and classic chroma key.

• Banuba Face AR SDK integrates with video conferencing and streaming services; Agora is an official Banuba partner.

• Appearance on camera is a documented user concern, so face beautification pairs naturally with a virtual background in conferencing apps.

   

Video Background Eraser: Definition and Use Cases

Chroma key virtual background feature, also known as ‘green screen’, allows you to change your background during a video call or video streaming in real-time.

Video background changer software can be used for the real-time replacement of backgrounds with both static images, animated 3D virtual backgrounds or other videos to hide whatever is behind the person.

The most well-known example now is probably Zoom virtual background, however other video conferencing services offer a similar feature.

Here are the core use cases of adopting a virtual background for video conferencing:

• Streamline a business call or remote interview experiences with custom backgrounds
• Editing “boring” backgrounds in video processing software to create immersive content
• Virtual background for a webcam to remove noise, add entertainment and enhance the camera experience
• Animation effects in the background that are changed by the user as part of interactivity
• Boost users' privacy in video calls, conferences, meetings, and even live streaming
• 360-degree background in 2D or 3D for educational or marketing purposes, e.g. let consumers virtually enter your shop
• Removing unwanted objects or people from videos.

Also Read: How To Enable Video Background Changer In Your App

How a Virtual Background for Video Conferencing Works

The core of the video background eraser software is a separation neural network that returns a binary output, tagging the image parts either to the human or the background.

It allows us to blur it, animate it, or cut out completely and replace it with a custom user image or professionally designed 3D virtual background.

Banuba background segmentation

Our virtual background technology can be integrated with video conferencing and streaming services like Agora, our official partner, third-party live streaming or video chat applications, or used to build video background eraser software from scratch.

Agora.io provides a flexible and easy-to-implement interactive video and voice SDK. Developers can embed live streaming, and messaging features into any mobile, web, or desktop application to boost real-time engagement. If you are still choosing the conferencing layer itself, this hands-on comparison of 12 video conferencing APIs and SDKs breaks down the leading options.

Virtual 3D backgrounds integrated with Agora allow you to transport the user into another world, and add fun or entertainment, the sky's the limit to your imagination.

How Video Background Remover Improves Conferencing

Video conferencing software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet is now the default way distributed teams meet, run webinars, and interview candidates. In hybrid work, calls happen from home offices, kitchens, cafes, and coworking spaces, so the scene behind the speaker is rarely neutral.

For privacy purposes or to maintain a professional look, people want to hide their surroundings or replace them entirely. Prof. Robert Kelly's background during a BBC interview is among the most well-known examples of why people need to be able to control the scene around them during a video call.

A virtual background gives that control back. It makes our video conferencing much more engaging and creative, let us add a bit of personality or make it impersonal when talking to strangers. As for the background of your room, using video background eraser technology you can easily hide it for privacy purposes or change it for entertainment.

Also Read: How To Add a Background to A Video Editing App

8 Types of Backgrounds for Video Conference 

Whether your video conferencing software is made for the enterprise sector or it’s a video chat for friends, our video background eraser software allows for a variety of types.

Virtual background for video conferencing with filters

Static or animated images

Users can use custom images downloaded from the Internet or created in graphical editors similar to Zoom virtual backgrounds. The simplicity and ease of implementation make it a perfect tool for self-expression and personalization.

Animated background by Banuba

Virtual 3D backgrounds

If you want something more sophisticated, you can add emotion-related backgrounds or professionally-looking neutral virtual backgrounds with 3D features. Users can teleport to other places such as offices, co-working spaces or cafes. Such virtual backgrounds add realism and immersion into video conferencing experience creating the effect of real presence.

Virtual 3D background by Banuba

Instagram-like color backgrounds (LUT)

You can play with colors and apply Instagram-like filters to backgrounds adding animation effect. 

Instagram-like color backgrounds (LUT) by Banuba

Full-body background separation

Our technology allows for separating the user body in full length on a video which is great for those who need to make live stand-up presentations.

Animated effects on real backgrounds

Users can enhance the real background adding animated effects or objects which is awesome in terms of fun and creativity.

Blur background

Virtual background for video conferencing with a blur effect

The blur feature or ‘bokeh effect’ works similar as in photos, only in a video giving your users a true selfie-focused experience. The objects blur in a stylish background and other faces don't interfere.

Videos

Users can broadcast video files which is another creative background use case. A long-running social media joke is people looping a pre-recorded clip of themselves "listening" as their virtual background to fake presence in a meeting, which mostly proves how convincing a broadcast video background can be.

Chroma key virtual background

To save traffic and for better call quality, you can use the classic chroma key green screen virtual background.

How Face Beautification Enhances Video Conferencing Even More

Apart from the virtual background, another must-have augmented reality feature for video conferencing is a face touch-up. The cameras present us in harsh, bright light, at unusual angles, blown up on a PC screen. The desk lamp or windows often fail to ensure good lighting conditions too, throwing shadows that make faces look distorted, older, and unhealthy.

The face beautification filter integrated into web or mobile cameras helps to solve that allowing anyone to look good at morning video conferences. Above basic face touch up, users can virtually wear makeup.

Also Read: How To Create Face Beauty Filter With Effect Constructor Tool

Teenagers are increasingly using video chat systems to communicate with the world. However, a Simon Fraser University study, How and Why Teenagers Use Video Chat, reports that their background and appearance are two main concerns for them, the same as for adults. Participants were more likely to 'beautify themselves' before having a video chat since looking nice on camera made them feel better about themselves and gave them more confidence.

With this in mind, face touch up and virtual backgrounds for video conferencing is becoming even more important as these features allow video chat apps to target broader audiences and use cases.

Summing Up

For most people, the key issue is control. If they can present themselves digitally in the way they want to be perceived, rather than be a slave to the idiosyncrasies of the camera, they will be relaxed and engaging.

Augmented reality video conferencing with features like virtual background, face beautification, or AR face filters improves our video conferencing experience, limiting distractions while helping us maintain a bit of fun and privacy in hybrid work.

References

Agora. (n.d.). Real-time engagement platform. Agora. https://www.agora.io/en/

BBC Newsbeat. (2017). How professor-dad Robert Kelly realised he'd gone viral, very very viral. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39235478/how-professordad-robert-kelly-realised-hed-gone-viral-very-very-viral

Buhler, T., Neustaedter, C., & Hillman, S. (2013). How and why teenagers use video chat. Simon Fraser University. https://clab.iat.sfu.ca/pubs/BuhlerTeenVideoChat.pdf