Curtail

Free plan Linux

What Curtail is

Curtail is a free Linux app for compressing PNG, JPEG, WebP, and SVG images. It supports both compression modes and lets users decide whether to retain image metadata. Recursive directory compression supports working through directory contents in a batch workflow. If compression would increase a file’s size, Curtail restores the original; it also offers actions to open a compressed image or show it in its folder. The project is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. Its recommended universal Linux package is Flatpak from Flathub, and the project also lists unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA, and Fedora COPR packages. Flathub marks Curtail as potentially unsafe and lists read/write access to the home folder. The GNOME app page lists version 1.17.0, released on 2026-10-05, and links to an issue tracker for feedback and reports.

Who it suits

Curtail suits Linux users who want to compress supported image formats, including across directories. It may also suit users who want control over whether metadata is retained.

What it does well

Compresses PNG, JPEG, WebP, and SVG
Supports recursive directory compression
Restores originals when compression increases file size
Users can choose whether to keep metadata

What to know first

Available for Linux
Flathub lists home-folder read/write access
Flathub marks the app as potentially unsafe

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Curtail	Image compression; PNG · JPEG · WebP · SVG	Free

As apps.gnome.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Curtail project website.
Install the recommended Flatpak package from Flathub.
Alternatively, use one of the listed unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA or Fedora COPR packages.
Choose image files or use recursive directory compression.
Select whether to keep image metadata and run compression.

Verdict

Curtail combines multiple image formats with batch processing and a safeguard against larger compressed files. Consider its listed home-folder permissions when choosing an installation package.

Questions

How much does Curtail cost?

The listed plan is free.

Which platforms does Curtail support?

Curtail is listed for Linux.

Which image formats can it compress?

It supports PNG, JPEG, WebP and SVG.

Is Curtail open source?

Yes. It is released under GNU General Public License version 3 or later.

How can I install it on Linux?

The project recommends Flatpak from Flathub. It also lists unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA and Fedora COPR packages.

What permissions does the Flathub listing report?

It flags Curtail as potentially unsafe and lists read and write access to the home folder.

Facts from Curtail's own pages

Batch processing: The changelog lists recursive directory compression as a feature. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Compression modes: It supports both lossless and lossy compression. · apps.gnome.org, 12 Oct 2026
File handling: The changelog lists actions to open a compressed image and show it in its folder. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · apps.gnome.org, 23 Sept 2026
Latest release: The GNOME app page lists version 1.17.0, released on 2026-10-05. · apps.gnome.org, 12 Oct 2026
License: Curtail is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. · flathub.org, 12 Oct 2026
Linux distribution: The project README describes Flatpak as its recommended universal Linux package and also lists unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA and Fedora COPR packages. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux installation: The project recommends installing the Flatpak package from Flathub. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Maintainer: The GNOME app page names Hugo Posnic as maintainer and lists Toulouse, France. · apps.gnome.org, 12 Oct 2026
Metadata: Users can choose whether to keep image metadata. · apps.gnome.org, 12 Oct 2026
Metadata controls: Yes · apps.gnome.org, 23 Sept 2026
Open source: The project is released under GNU General Public License version 3 or later. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Other Linux packages: The project also lists unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA, and Fedora COPR packages. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Processing components: The project lists Oxipng, pngquant, Jpegoptim, libwebp, and Scour among the open source projects Curtail uses. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose: Curtail is an image compressor for optimizing images. · apps.gnome.org, 12 Oct 2026
Safety behavior: The changelog says Curtail restores original files when compression produces larger files. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Sandbox access: Flathub flags the app as potentially unsafe and lists read/write access to the home folder. · flathub.org, 11 Oct 2026
Security and permissions: Flathub marks the app as potentially unsafe and lists home folder read/write access. · flathub.org, 12 Oct 2026
Support and feedback: The GNOME app page directs users to the app issue tracker to give feedback or report issues. · apps.gnome.org, 12 Oct 2026
Supported formats: It supports PNG, JPEG, WebP, and SVG files. · github.com, 12 Oct 2026

Where Curtail stands on Freedom251

Image Compression Software#19 of 85