Side by side
ExifTool vs Metadata Stripper
Both stand on photo metadata editors. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APILinuxMac+2
ExifTool offers broad metadata handling through a command-line application and Perl library, with a C++ interface for applications. Its writing limits depend on the target format, and image validation is not its main purpose.
Visit ExifTool Free plan Open source LinuxMacWindows
Metadata Stripper provides offline batch metadata removal while keeping original images intact. It covers JPEG, PNG, and WebP, but not RAW files.
Visit Metadata StripperThe facts
| ExifTool | Metadata Stripper | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | exiftool.org | infinitecreation.io |
| On photo metadata editors | #4 of 31 | #1 of 31 |
ExifTool: what it does well
- Reads, writes, and edits a wide range of metadata.
- Supports camera maker notes from numerous manufacturers.
- Can copy or move metadata between files.
- Preserves originals by default when writing.
- Available as a free software distribution.
What to know first
- Not designed as an image validator.
- Writes only metadata supported by the target format.
- Windows and macOS packages omit some distribution files.
Metadata Stripper: what it does well
- Keeps originals untouched and saves cleaned copies separately.
- Reports metadata categories during scanning.
- Processes images offline after installation.
- Preserves ICC color profiles.
- Free and open-source desktop app.
What to know first
- Does not support RAW files.
- macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen may show a warning.
- PNG removal is limited to specified metadata chunks.
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