It’s easy to find image editing tools online, but some will charge you a fee. Here are five online tools that are entirely free and let you blur parts of an image.
1. BeFunky
If you want to blur or unblur parts of an image with a brush stroke motion, then BeFunky’s Blur feature can help you do just that. BeFunky offers a lot of photo editing features, but the link above will take you straight to the Blur tool. Click Get Started to go to the site’s free version and then upload your image.
BeFunky works slightly differently from the other tools here, requiring you to blur your whole image first. In the Blur feature, you’ll see two options, one labeled Adjust and the other Erase. Under the Adjust tab, select the amount of blur you want to apply to your image.
Next, head to the Erase tab to remove the blur from certain areas. If you erase too much blur, you can switch to the Keep tab and re-blur parts of your image.
If you only want to blur a small part of your image, then blurring your whole image first may seem counterproductive. The quickest way to use BeFunky to blur just a small part of your image is to Erase the blur completely using the largest brush tool, and then use the Keep tab to re-blur a small area.
Once you’re happy with your image, go to the Save tab at the top of the screen and download your blurred photo to your computer.
2. Canva
Blurring an image on Canva will require you to create a free account, but it is well worth it for the photo editing tools at your disposal. Once logged in to your Canva account, locate and choose Edit Photo on the homepage. This will prompt you to upload your image and will create a Canva design that perfectly fits your photo dimensions.
Go to Edit Image in the top toolbar and locate the Blur option under Tools or search for it in the search bar. Use the Auto option to blur your entire image, or select Blur to brush the area you want to blur out. You can also erase the blur by using the Restore brush option.
Once you’re done editing your image, tap Share, then select Download to save your design to your computer.
You can download Canva designs in several formats, including JPG, PNG, and PDF. If you decide a premium Canva account is worth it, then you can also download your design as an SVG.
3. Blur Photo Editor
If you find your hand gets a bit shaky when blurring an image using brushstrokes, you will like the clean lines generated by Blur Photo Editor. While the ads can be annoying, it’s a great tool for blurring sections of an image as it allows you to create a selection area rather than relying on the steadiness of your hand. It’s also very simple as there isn’t an overwhelming number of editing functions.
On the homepage, select Start Blur Photo Editor, and select Choose Photo to Blur to add your photo to the editor.
Next, start creating your selection by clicking the corners of the area you want to blur. Once selected, choose whether you want to blur inside or outside your selection and toggle the amount of blur you want to add. If you make a mistake, then reset your selection, or if you’re happy with your adjustment, download your image.
While Blur Photo Editor may not be the fanciest editing tool on the internet, it’s easy to use and creates professional-looking blurred images at zero cost. If you’ve got an ad blocker installed on your browser, then it’s even better.
4. Peko Step
Peko Step is a free image editor that runs in your web browser. To add blur to an image in Peko Step, start by uploading an image via the File icon at the top.
Now, choose whether you want to add blur in the shape of an Ellipse or Rectangle. You can adjust the size of the blur. Next, choose whether you want to blur inside or outside your selection. Then select Apply to blur the area.
To download your image, right-click it on your screen and then save it as if you were grabbing it from the internet. You can also save the image by going to File > Save Image, but this might not work in your browser.
Compared to the other tools on this list, Peko Step isn’t as intuitive to use, and it doesn’t allow you to adjust the blur amount of your selection. But it gets the job done. If you want to add a bit of blur to an image or want to blur inside or outside an ellipse, then it’s worth a try.
5. Pixlr
Lastly, we have Pixlr. While the blur feature in Pixlr may not be strong enough to mask confidential information, it’s perfect for adding a blurred background to a portrait or photo.
Upload your image and navigate to the Retouch section of the editor; this can be found under the band-aid icon on the left-hand side of your screen. Then select Sharpen/Blur (the waterdrop icon at the top) and configure the blur tool to your liking with the sliders.
Start off with a large brush size to fill in most of your background, and then switch to a smaller brush to get as close to the subject as possible. When you’re done, tap Save at the bottom of the screen and then download your image in your chosen format.
Check out these cool websites where you can turn your photos into GIFs for free.
Blur Parts of Your Image Online for Free
Photo editing software is often costly, so it’s good to have tools to edit your images for free. These are some of the best browser-based tools for blurring an image or parts of an image, but there’s so much more you can do online without downloading expensive software.
