Photo editing apps are a dime a dozen, but AI Photo Editor Lab SRL's "Photo Eraser - Remove Objects" is quietly pulling in an estimated $250,000 each month with around 50,000 downloads. Released back in mid-2019 and consistently updated, this app isn't just another utility – it's a masterclass in leveraging AI for a specific user need and converting users effectively.
Let's reverse-engineer how Photo Eraser achieves this impressive feat by dissecting its user journey and monetization strategy. 💡
From the moment you launch Photo Eraser, it skips the fluff. The initial loading animation is clean, leading straight into a powerful value proposition. The app doesn't just tell you it can remove things; it shows you.
An engaging visual demonstrates the "Remove People Tool" in action, instantly highlighting the core AI capability: detecting and erasing unwanted elements while seamlessly recreating the background. The copy is direct: "Erase unwanted elements. Our advanced AI feature detects objects and erases them..." This clarity is crucial – users immediately grasp the magic the app offers. It’s a focused introduction that sets the stage perfectly.
After showcasing its core power, Photo Eraser presents its monetization strategy: a soft paywall offering a free trial. This approach is smart. Users have just seen the app's potential and are primed to explore further.
The paywall screen clearly presents "Premium" access to all AI tools, defaulting to a "Weekly" (€6.99) option, but cleverly highlighting a "Yearly" plan with a significant "75% off" badge – a classic anchoring technique. Below, a prominent toggle confirms "Free trial enabled," explicitly stating "(7 days for free) ₽0.00" due today, followed by the recurring charge date. This transparency reduces the perceived risk of starting a trial, a key factor in converting curious users. Opting for a 7-step onboarding flow culminating in this gentle paywall allows users to understand the value before being asked to commit, even tentatively.
The main dashboard reveals that Photo Eraser is more than a one-trick pony. While "Eraser" is prominent, it sits alongside other compelling AI features: "AI Transform," "Remove BG," and "Enhance." This diversification broadens the app's appeal and provides multiple avenues for user engagement.
The app cleverly promotes discovery with sections like "Try now new AI filters" (featuring trendy options like "80s" and "Cartoon") and "Try this cool app now" showcasing visual examples of the Eraser and Remove BG tools. This constantly nudges users to explore premium capabilities. Selecting a photo prompts standard iOS permissions, handled smoothly. The transformation process, like applying the "80s" filter, includes clear loading indicators ("We are drawing! Wait just a few seconds," "Loading in progress: X%"), managing user expectations during processing.
Diving into the core "Eraser" function reveals a focus on user control combined with AI assistance. Users can manually "paint" over objects they wish to remove, with an adjustable "Brush size" slider for precision. A handy zoom-in preview window aids in detailed work.
Crucially, the app also incorporates AI object detection. Tapping an icon automatically identifies elements like "Person," allowing for quick, one-tap removal. This blend of manual control and AI automation caters to different user needs and showcases the underlying intelligence. The processing is followed by clear loading states before revealing the cleaned-up image. Features like "Blemish" removal and "Sky" replacement further enhance its utility as a comprehensive photo touch-up tool.
Photo Eraser integrates conversion prompts naturally within the user flow. After successfully editing and saving a photo, the "Export Photo" screen appears. This screen not only provides sharing options (Instagram, WhatsApp, etc.) but often includes a well-timed prompt asking users to rate the app – capitalizing on the moment of user satisfaction. ⭐
The constant introduction of new AI filters and the suite of editing tools serve as built-in retention mechanics. Users initially drawn in by the object removal feature might stay engaged by experimenting with background removal, AI transformations, or enhancements. While the app does run ads (as indicated in the context), the primary monetization seems heavily focused on converting users to the premium subscription via the free trial, driven by the allure of its advanced AI capabilities.
Photo Eraser's success isn't accidental. It stems from a clear understanding of a common user pain point (unwanted objects in photos) and leveraging AI to provide an effective solution.
Key takeaways:
By combining a focused AI toolset with a smooth user experience and a well-structured monetization funnel, Photo Eraser demonstrates how even seemingly simple utilities can become significant revenue generators in the competitive app market. Analyzing these patterns reveals the hidden architecture behind successful apps. 🚀
Explore detailed video breakdowns of Photo Eraser - Remove Objects and over 1800 other top apps on Screensdesign. Discover winning conversion patterns, identify emerging players, and get inspired by the best in mobile app design.
Explore Photo Eraser - Remove Objects on Screensdesign