Attributor

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What Attributor is

Attributor is a desktop app for preparing photo metadata before images are submitted to stock agencies. It edits titles, descriptions, keywords, categories, release filenames, and attribution flags for JPEG, PNG, and WebP images. Supported metadata is embedded when files are saved, without re-encoding the images; working edits and AI results are kept in a local database. For metadata generation, the app can use a locally run Ollama vision model on one image or a batch, without uploading images to the cloud. Batch editing applies chosen fields across multiple images while unchecked fields remain unchanged, and auto-save is disabled in batch mode to prevent accidental overwrites. Keyword autocomplete uses fuzzy search over more than 1,000 stock photography terms, and keywords can be reordered or copied and pasted. CSV export includes presets for Shutterstock, iStock, Adobe Stock, and Envato, as well as user-configured presets. Attributor is free and open source under AGPL-3.0, and runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. TIFF and RAW formats are unsupported; icon view displays only files in the opened folder’s root level.

Who it suits

Attributor suits stock photographers who need to edit metadata, prepare agency-specific CSV files, or apply metadata across image batches. Its local AI option may suit users who want image metadata generation without cloud uploads.

What it does well

Edits metadata without re-encoding images
Local Ollama AI requires no cloud upload
Batch editing leaves unchecked fields unchanged
Includes CSV presets for four stock agencies
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows

What to know first

TIFF and RAW images are unsupported
Icon view shows only the opened folder’s root files
Auto-save is disabled in batch mode

Limits

Attributor is free and open source. TIFF and RAW are unsupported, and batch mode disables auto-save.

Getting started

Open the Attributor project website on GitHub.
Choose the build for Linux, macOS, or Windows.
Open a folder containing JPEG, PNG, or WebP images.
Edit metadata or use batch mode to apply selected fields.
Save to write the supported metadata into the image files.

Verdict

Attributor covers metadata editing, batch workflows, and agency-oriented CSV export for common image formats. Users working with TIFF or RAW files will need another approach.

Questions

How much does Attributor cost?

Attributor is free and open source under the AGPL-3.0 license.

Which image formats does it support?

It supports JPEG, PNG, and WebP. TIFF and RAW are unsupported.

Which desktop platforms does it run on?

Attributor runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Does it upload images for AI metadata generation?

It can use a locally run Ollama vision model, with no cloud upload required.

Which stock agency CSV presets are included?

Ready-made presets are available for Shutterstock, iStock, Adobe Stock, and Envato. Users can also configure their own presets.

Facts from Attributor's own pages

AI attribution: It can use a locally run Ollama vision model to generate metadata and content flags for one image or a batch, with no cloud upload required. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Auto-save limit: Auto-save is disabled in batch mode to prevent accidental overwrites. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Batch editing: Batch mode applies selected metadata fields to multiple images while unchecked fields retain their original values. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
CSV export: CSV export includes ready-made presets for Shutterstock, iStock, Adobe Stock, and Envato. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
CSV integrations: CSV export includes ready-made presets for Shutterstock, iStock, Adobe Stock, and Envato, and users can configure their own presets. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Image formats: Supported image formats are JPEG, PNG, and WebP; TIFF and RAW are listed as unsupported. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Image quality: Metadata is written into image files without re-encoding them. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users: The project describes the app as a tool for preparing stock photos for agencies such as Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, Getty Images, and others. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Keyword tools: Keyword autocomplete uses fuzzy search over more than 1,000 stock photography terms, and keywords can be reordered or copied and pasted. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: The application is distributed under the GNU Affero General Public License v3.0. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License and support: The application is distributed under AGPL-3.0, and its README invites users to support development on Ko-fi. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Limitations: TIFF and RAW formats are unsupported, and icon view displays only files at the opened folder's root level. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Local AI: It can generate metadata with a local Ollama vision model, with no cloud upload required. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Local data handling: Edits and AI results are stored in a local app database and written into image files when saved. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Local storage: The app keeps working metadata in a local database and writes it into the image file when the user saves. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Metadata editing: It edits titles, descriptions, keywords, categories, and release filenames and embeds supported metadata without re-encoding images. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Metadata fields: It supports editing titles, descriptions, keywords, categories, release filenames, and attribution flags. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Notable limit: Auto-save is disabled in batch mode to prevent accidental overwrites. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Platforms: The project lists Windows 10/11, macOS, and Linux builds, including MSI/portable EXE, DMG, AppImage, and DEB formats. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Attributor is a desktop application for editing photo metadata before submitting images to stock agencies. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Security: The guide says AI attribution uses a local Ollama vision model and requires no cloud upload. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Supported formats: It supports JPEG, PNG, and WebP images. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026

Where Attributor stands on Freedom251

Photo Metadata Editors#5 of 31