# Blur ID — Honest Comparisons

Last updated: 2026-07-10

Blur ID is an iPhone app that automatically blurs faces, avatars, usernames and sensitive text in photos and screenshots, entirely on-device. This page compares it honestly with the realistic alternatives, including when a competitor is the better choice.

## Quick comparison

| Tool | Platform | Auto face detection | Blurs text & usernames | Works offline | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **Blur ID** | iOS 17+ | Yes — all faces in one tap | Yes, automatic | Yes, 100% on-device | Free with watermark; $0.99/mo, $4.99/yr, $7.99 lifetime |
| **Signal (built-in blur)** | iOS / Android | Yes — inside the messenger | No — faces only, manual for the rest | Yes | Free |
| **Apple Markup** | iOS (built-in) | No — draw by hand | Manual solid cover only | Yes | Free |
| **Apple Clean Up** | iOS 18.1+, Apple Intelligence devices | Removes people rather than blurring | No | Mostly on-device | Free on supported iPhones |
| **Online blur websites** | Any browser | Varies | Varies | Often no — many upload images to a server | Free |

## Blur ID vs Signal's blur tool

- Choose **Signal** when: you already use Signal, only need faces blurred, and want a completely free tool.
- Choose **Blur ID** when: you need usernames, avatars and text handled too (chat screenshots), want multiple redaction styles (blur, pixelate, solid, immersive, emoji covers), or want selective un-blurring in group photos.

## Blur ID vs Apple Markup

- Choose **Markup** when: there is one face or field to cover and you don't want to install anything.
- Choose **Blur ID** when: the image has many faces or names (group photos, chat threads), or you want results that look natural instead of drawn-over. Markup is fully manual and it's easy to miss small avatars; semi-transparent ink can also leak what's underneath.

## Blur ID vs Apple Clean Up

These solve different problems: Clean Up **removes** a person and reconstructs the background; Blur ID **hides** identity while keeping the person in the image.

- Choose **Clean Up** when: the person should disappear entirely and you have an Apple Intelligence iPhone (15 Pro or newer, iOS 18.1+).
- Choose **Blur ID** when: the person should stay in the scene, you're working with screenshots and text, or your iPhone doesn't support Apple Intelligence.

## Blur ID vs online blur websites

- Choose an **online tool** when: the image is not sensitive and you're not on an iPhone. Prefer tools that state processing happens locally in the browser.
- Choose **Blur ID** when: the image is sensitive — which is usually why you're blurring it. Many web tools process images server-side, meaning your photo is uploaded to hide it from someone else. Blur ID never uploads: it works in airplane mode.

## What Blur ID does NOT do

- No Android, Windows, or web version — iPhone (iOS 17+) only
- No video blurring (photos and screenshots only; video is on the roadmap)
- No live camera-feed blurring
- No batch API or automation interface
- Free tier adds a small watermark to exports (premium removes it)

## Sources

- Product site: https://blurid.app
- App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6478200494
- Pricing: https://blurid.app/pricing.md
- Full product reference: https://blurid.app/llms-full.txt