Quick Links
Motion blur adds movement and energy to photos, but you don’t need a sophisticated app or software to achieve it. I tested three free online tools that let you add motion blur effects quickly and easily, right from your browser.
When it comes to adding motion blur to smartphone photos, AIEase is my top pick. It combines precise background separation with customizable motion blur effects, making it ideal for both beginners and advanced users.
To get started, visit the AIEase website, click onAI Tools, and selectAll Tools. Scroll down to theAI Blur Backgroundsection and choose theMotion Blurtool. Upload your image, selectMotionfrom the blur types, and adjust the strength slider to your liking.
What sets AIEase apart is the level of control it offers. The slider lets you fine-tune the intensity of the motion blur, allowing you to create anything from subtle movement to dramatic, high-energy effects. When I tested it on a photo of a live rock performance, the results were stunning. The golden stage lights streaked across the frame, and the guitarist appeared to be in mid-action, as if caught in the middle of a powerful riff.
2Photoroom
Photoroom offers a more streamlined approach to adding motion blur, making it a great choice if you want quick results without much effort. Unlike what you’ll get whenadding motion blur to a photo using Photoshopor even AIEase, Photoroom doesn’t allow for fine-tuning the blur effect.
To use it, head to the Photoroom website, click onPhoto Editor, and selectAll Tools. Scroll down to find theMotion Bluroption, upload your image, and let the app do the rest.
The results are decent, especially for casual edits. When I tested it on the same rock performance photo, Photoroom created a nice bokeh effect with the stage lights, softening the background and adding a subtle sense of movement. The guitarist remained in focus, while the lights in the background took on a dreamy, blurred quality.
However, the lack of manual controls means you’re limited to what the app decides is the “right” amount of blur. If you’re someone who likes to tweak and customize your edits, this might feel a bit restrictive. But for quick, hassle-free results, Photoroom delivers.
LunaPic brings a unique, retro vibe to photo editing, both in its website design and its approach to motion blur. UnlikeAI photo editorsthat can isolate the subject and blur the background, LunaPic applies motion blur to the entire image—including the subject. This creates a striking, artistic effect that’s perfect for creative projects or images where you want to evoke nostalgia or artistic flair.
To try it out, visit the LunaPic website, clickAdjustin the menu, and selectMotion Blurfrom the dropdown. Upload your image, and you’ll see a slider to control the intensity of the blur effect.
When I applied it to the rock performance photo, the results were intriguing. The guitarist’s flowing hair and the streaks of light from the stage blended together, creating a sense of frenetic energy as if the entire scene was in motion.
While this approach won’t work for every photo, it’s perfect for creative projects or images where you want to evoke a sense of nostalgia or artistic flair.
Adding motion blur to smartphone photos has never been easier, thanks to AI-powered tools like AIEase, Photoroom, and LunaPic. Each app brings something unique to the table, but they all share one thing in common: they make it simple to transform static images into dynamic, visually engaging shots.
