ExifCleaner

ExifCleaner is a free desktop app for removing metadata from supported images, media files, and PDFs. It is best for people who want to clean large batches locally and see what changed. Its privacy controls and offline design are compelling, but format gaps and reversible PDF updates rule it out for some sensitive work.

Overview

Drag files or folders into the app to process them in bulk, then review a before-and-after view of removed fields for each file. That combination suits routine cleanup of photo and media collections: batch handling saves repetitive work, while the per-file diff helps catch what the cleanup actually changed.

ExifCleaner is free and open source under the MIT License. The project says it has no automatic updates, network traffic, telemetry, or phone-home behavior. That is a meaningful fit for privacy-conscious workflows, though releases are not code-signed; SHA-256 checksums are published for every artifact. The app includes 25 languages with in-app switching.

Key features

• Batch removal: ExifCleaner can process tens, hundreds, or thousands of files at once. This is useful for library-wide cleanup, but only where the formats are fully supported.
• Per-file metadata diff: A before-and-after view shows removed metadata fields. It gives users a way to review the effect file by file rather than treating a large batch as a blind operation.
• Privacy controls: Options to save copies and preserve orientation or timestamps help avoid unwanted changes to files. macOS users can also remove extended attributes.
• Format coverage with caveats: The tested intake list spans image formats, MP4 and MOV media, and PDFs. Some formats, including RAF, MKV, TIFF, AVIF, and certain RAW files, have partial removal or are unsupported, so specialist collections need checking before relying on a single batch workflow.
• PDF handling: ExifTool's PDF update is reversible, leaving original metadata recoverable. ExifCleaner therefore cannot securely erase PDF metadata; choose another approach when irreversible document sanitization is essential.
• Desktop security posture: Version 4.0 added CSP, Electron Fuses, IPC validation, navigation hardening, and permission gates. These hardening measures are relevant, but they do not change the practical caution warranted by unsigned releases.

Pricing

Free — free (billed free). The plan is the desktop app for macOS 12+, Windows 10+, and 64-bit Linux, with batch editing and RAW file support. There is no paid tier to move up to; the trade-off is not a quota or seat limit, but format-specific gaps and the PDF limitation. It suits individual users who need a no-cost local cleanup tool and can work within those boundaries.

Platforms

ExifCleaner supports macOS 12 or later, Windows 10 or later, and 64-bit Linux. That cross-platform desktop reach makes it an option for mixed operating-system households or teams, while users on other systems will need a different tool.

Who it's for

Choose ExifCleaner for local batch cleanup of supported media when seeing removed fields and controlling copies or timestamps matters. It is less suitable for users who need secure PDF metadata erasure or dependable handling of formats with partial or unsupported removal.

Pros and cons

• Pro — Large batches: Processing hundreds or thousands of files at once can make recurring library cleanup substantially less repetitive.
• Pro — Reviewable changes: The per-file diff makes it easier to confirm which metadata fields were removed.
• Pro — Local privacy emphasis: The project's no-network, no-telemetry, and no-phone-home claims suit users seeking an offline workflow.
• Con — PDF metadata is recoverable: The reversible update does not meet a need for secure erasure.
• Con — Uneven format support: Partial or unsupported behavior for formats such as TIFF, AVIF, and some RAW files can interrupt a broad cleanup workflow.
• Con — Unsigned releases: Published SHA-256 checksums help verify artifacts, but users may prefer signed builds.

Alternatives

Photo Metadata Editors is a useful directory to compare more options. Pick FREE Browser instead if you need a free, open-source option on Android. ExifTool is also free and spans API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows use; consider it when those platforms or an API fit better than ExifCleaner's desktop workflow. Metadata Stripper is a free, open-source desktop alternative for Linux, macOS, and Windows focused on JPEG, PNG, and WebP. Photini is another free option for Linux, macOS, and Windows, released under GPL-3.0-or-later. Exif Pilot offers a free basic EXIF editor on Windows; it may suit someone seeking editing rather than ExifCleaner's batch removal workflow. ExiFox is a free macOS alternative. GeoSetter is free for Windows with no usage restrictions. Photo Metadata Editor is a free Windows desktop option distributed as an MSI installer and portable ZIP.

Verdict

ExifCleaner is a strong choice for people who want free, local, high-volume metadata cleanup with a per-file change view across major desktop platforms. Its offline privacy posture is the clearest reason to choose it. Look elsewhere when secure PDF erasure or reliable support for a particular specialist format is central to the job.