Redaction is not merely a visual design choice. The right style depends on what the underlying information is, how much context the viewer should retain, and how costly it would be if the value remained recognizable.
The practical differences
| Style | Preserves context | Best use | Main caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blur | High | Faces, names, contextual screenshots | Weak blur can leave shapes or text partly recognizable |
| Pixelate | Medium | Faces and regions where rough structure can remain | Small pixel blocks may still reveal patterns |
| Blackout | Low | Account numbers, addresses, codes, secrets | Removes all visible context inside the area |
Use blackout when the exact value must not be exposed
Account numbers, passwords, recovery codes, authentication tokens, QR codes, addresses, and private identifiers benefit from an unambiguous solid cover. Blur is often aesthetically softer, but aesthetic softness is not the goal for a secret.
Blur or pixelation can preserve scene context
For a face in a public photo, you may want viewers to understand that a person was present while reducing recognizability. A sufficiently strong blur or pixelation can preserve that composition. Also remove names, badges, plates, or other clues if anonymity matters.
Fitabyte Privacy Blur lets you choose a style for each area and exports a flattened PNG. For financial screenshots, see How to Redact a Bank Statement Screenshot; for QR codes, use the QR/barcode redaction guide.