# Video Blackout

> Offline Windows video redaction that detects faces and license plates on-device

- Category: [Video AI](https://finderatlas.com/categories/video-ai)
- Pricing: Freemium
- Website: https://videoredaction.io/
- Platforms: Windows
- Made by: FlyAllRisk
- Last updated: 2026-10-26
- FinderAtlas page: https://finderatlas.com/tools/video-blackout

## Overview

Video Blackout is Windows desktop software that redacts faces and license plates in video entirely on the user's own PC. An on-device detector finds faces and plates automatically, and the reviewer can add manual boxes for anything it misses, such as badges, screens or paperwork. Redaction (mosaic, blur or solid fill) is written into the video frames and exported as H.264 MP4, so the mask cannot be removed afterwards. Footage is never uploaded; the website only handles accounts, billing and downloads.

## Key features

- On-device face detection
- License plate detection
- Burned-in redaction
- Manual boxes
- Keep selected people clear
- Manual audio redaction
- Batch processing
- Offline operation
- Multilingual interface
- Open-source code

## Pricing

- **Free** ($0): Try the detector on one video at a time with a watermark.
- **Basic** ($29/month): Watermark-free export for single videos up to 10 minutes.
- **Pro** ($69/month): Unlimited-length videos and batch folder processing.

## Best for

- Bodycam and CCTV redaction
- FOIA and GDPR/DSAR video release
- Air-gapped or privacy-restricted environments

## Who uses it

- Law enforcement and public safety teams
- Public-records and FOIA officers
- Data protection officers
- Schools and facilities security teams
- Legal and compliance teams

## Strengths

- Detection and export run locally, so footage never leaves the PC
- Redaction is burned into H.264 frames and cannot be removed afterwards
- Works offline, including on air-gapped machines
- Manual boxes cover what the detector misses
- Source code is public under AGPL-3.0
- Interface in eight languages

## Limitations

- Windows only (64-bit Windows 10 or 11)
- Audio redaction and non-face identifiers are manual
- Exports to H.264 MP4 only
- Basic plan is capped at 10 minutes per video, and the free plan adds a large watermark
- Detection accuracy figures and the plate detector model are not published; legal entity is not stated

## Not recommended for

- Mac or Linux users
- Automatic redaction of spoken words or on-screen text
- Teams needing cloud collaboration

## FinderAtlas editorial scores (out of 10)

- Detection Automation: 7.5/10
- Privacy & Data Handling: 9/10
- Redaction Permanence: 8.5/10
- Workflow Breadth: 6.5/10
- Pricing Clarity: 7.5/10

## Alternatives

- [OpusClip](https://finderatlas.com/tools/opusclip): Turn long videos into captioned, platform-ready short clips with AI ([compare](https://finderatlas.com/compare/opusclip-vs-video-blackout))
- [LTX Studio](https://finderatlas.com/tools/ltx-studio): Script, storyboard, generate and edit AI video in one browser workspace ([compare](https://finderatlas.com/compare/ltx-studio-vs-video-blackout))
- [Kling AI](https://finderatlas.com/tools/kling-ai): Generate AI video and images from text, photos and references in one studio ([compare](https://finderatlas.com/compare/kling-ai-vs-video-blackout))
- [HeyGen](https://finderatlas.com/tools/heygen): Create avatar videos from text and translate them into 175+ languages ([compare](https://finderatlas.com/compare/heygen-vs-video-blackout))
- [Creatify](https://finderatlas.com/tools/creatify): Turn product URLs into AI video and image ads with avatars, tested at scale ([compare](https://finderatlas.com/compare/creatify-vs-video-blackout))
- [Captions](https://finderatlas.com/tools/captions): AI video editor that turns raw footage and prompts into finished, captioned videos ([compare](https://finderatlas.com/compare/captions-vs-video-blackout))
- [Vidmoat](https://finderatlas.com/tools/vidmoat): Describe the edit in plain English and an AI agent builds it on an editable timeline ([compare](https://finderatlas.com/compare/video-blackout-vs-vidmoat))

## FAQ

**Is my video uploaded anywhere?**

No. Detection and export run on the PC that opened the file, and the website does not accept video uploads. Sign-in is only needed to get a paid license.

**Can the redaction be reversed?**

The site describes redaction as irreversible because it is written into the video frames, with no un-redact or deblur option. Keep the original file as the master copy.

**Which export format is supported?**

Export is H.264 MP4 only.

**What are the system requirements?**

64-bit Windows 10 or 11 with at least 8 GB of memory and about 1 GB of free disk space. A GPU is optional; the app falls back to the CPU, which is slower.

**Does it redact audio automatically?**

No. Audio redaction is manual: you mark time ranges to mute or beep. The site states there is no speech recognition.

**What does the free plan include?**

One video at a time, up to 10 minutes, with a large watermark on the export. It works without an account.

**Is there a refund?**

The Terms say fees are non-refundable once a license has been issued or the software downloaded, unless mandatory consumer law applies.