Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2) review
An open-source toolkit for prompt-based image masks and video object tracking.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
SAM 2 is Meta AI and FAIR’s foundation model and developer toolkit for promptable segmentation in images and videos. It is aimed at developers who need to select objects with points, boxes, or masks, refine those predictions, or follow objects through video frames. Image prediction and video prediction APIs, automatic image mask generation, and a locally deployable web demo are included. The project is open source and is not a priced hosted subscription, so it is a fit for teams prepared to work with a model and deployment code rather than buyers seeking a managed image-editing service.
Its scope extends from single-image masks to promptable video object segmentation. Users can propagate masks across frames, run multi-object video inference and tracking, and refine results with further prompts. For teams whose data or task needs call for adaptation, SAM 2 includes training code for custom image and video datasets. This makes it relevant beyond annotation workflows that only need one-off masks, though using these capabilities means incorporating the toolkit into a developer workflow.
The model checkpoints, training code, and demo code are released under Apache 2.0, and the repository documents PyTorch use. It supports self-hosted deployment, including a locally deployable web demo; Windows installation documentation recommends WSL. Community is the listed support channel, rather than a paid support plan. Choose SAM 2 if you want an open-source foundation for promptable image and video segmentation and can manage setup and deployment. A buyer looking for a hosted subscription or a dedicated commercial support channel should consider another product.
Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2) pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Select objects with point, box, or mask prompts and refine predictions.
- Generate image masks automatically and track multiple objects in video.
- Fine-tune on custom image and video datasets; deploy the demo locally.
- Where it doesn't
- Requires a developer-led setup rather than a hosted subscription.
- Windows installation documentation recommends using WSL.
- Community is the listed support channel.
Segment Anything Model 2 (SAM 2) fact sheet, pricing and score →
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update