ExifCleaner
ExifCleaner is a free, open-source desktop app that strips metadata from supported images, media files, and PDFs.
What ExifCleaner is
ExifCleaner is a free, open-source desktop app that strips metadata from supported images, media files, and PDFs. Users can drag files or folders into the application and process large batches at once. A before-and-after view shows the metadata fields removed from each file. Options include preserving image orientation and timestamps, saving copies, and removing macOS extended attributes. The project states that the app has no automatic updates, network traffic, telemetry, or phone-home behavior. It supports macOS 12 or later, Windows 10 or later, and 64-bit Linux, with 25 in-app languages. Its intake formats include images, media such as MP4 and MOV, and PDFs. Some formats, including RAF, MKV, TIFF, AVIF, and some RAW files, may be partially handled or unsupported. PDF metadata removal is not secure erasure: the update can be reversed, so original metadata remains recoverable. ExifCleaner is released under the MIT License. Releases are not code-signed, although SHA-256 checksums are published for each artifact.
Good
- Free and open source under the MIT License.
- Processes files and folders in batches.
- Shows before-and-after metadata differences.
- Available for Windows, macOS, and 64-bit Linux.
- Includes 25 in-app languages.
Watch out
- PDF metadata remains recoverable after removal.
- Some formats may be partially handled or unsupported.
- Releases are not code-signed.
Who it suits
ExifCleaner suits people who want to remove metadata from supported files in batches on a desktop computer. It may also suit users who want to inspect which metadata fields were removed.
Verdict
ExifCleaner offers batch metadata removal and a field-by-field comparison across supported desktop systems. Its PDF limitation and uneven support for some formats matter if those files are central to your workflow.
Plans and prices
From ExifCleaner's own pricing page, checked 1 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | macOS 12+ · Windows 10+ · Linux 64-bit · desktop app · free |
The facts
Each one read from ExifCleaner's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Batch processing
- The app processes tens, hundreds, or thousands of files at once.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Input method
- Users can drag files or folders onto the application.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Languages
- The application includes 25 languages with in-app language switching.checked 1 Oct 2001
- License
- ExifCleaner is free and open source software released under the MIT License.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Metadata inspection
- Users can view a before-and-after diff of removed metadata fields for each file.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Offline privacy
- The project states that ExifCleaner has no automatic updates or network traffic, zero telemetry, and no phone-home behavior.checked 1 Oct 2001
- PDF limitation
- ExifTool writes a reversible PDF update, so the original PDF metadata remains recoverable and cannot be securely erased.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Privacy controls
- Options include preserving orientation, saving copies, removing macOS extended attributes, and preserving timestamps.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- ExifCleaner strips metadata from supported images, media files, and PDFs.checked 1 Oct 2001
- RAW and format limits
- ExifCleaner documents partial-removal or unsupported behavior for formats including RAF, MKV, TIFF, AVIF, and some RAW files.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Security hardening
- Version 4.0 added CSP, Electron Fuses, IPC validation, navigation hardening, and permission gates.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Supported formats
- The tested intake list includes image formats, media formats such as MP4 and MOV, and PDF.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Supported systems
- The application supports macOS 12 or later, Windows 10 or later, and 64-bit Linux.checked 1 Oct 2001
- Unsigned builds
- Releases are not code-signed, and the project publishes SHA-256 checksums for every artifact.checked 1 Oct 2001
The full review of ExifCleaner
ExifCleaner is a free desktop app for stripping metadata from supported images, media files and PDFs. It best suits people who want to clean batches of files locally and inspect what changed. Its PDF handling and gaps in format support make it a less dependable choice when secure PDF erasure or specialist formats are central to the job.
Overview
Drag files or whole folders into ExifCleaner to process tens, hundreds or thousands at a time. A per-file before-and-after comparison shows which metadata fields were removed, so users can verify the scope of a cleanup rather than relying on a blind batch operation. Options to save copies and preserve orientation or timestamps help limit unwanted changes; macOS users can also remove extended attributes.
The project says the app has no automatic updates or network traffic, no telemetry and no phone-home behavior. That makes its local workflow relevant to privacy-conscious users, though the releases are not code-signed. SHA-256 checksums are published for every release artifact. ExifCleaner is open source under the MIT License, and its 25 languages can be switched in the app.
Key features
- Bulk metadata removal: Batch processing is useful for large libraries and repeated cleanup jobs, provided the files are in formats the app handles fully.
- Field-by-field comparison: The before-and-after diff makes it possible to see which fields were removed from each file, a meaningful check when metadata cleanup must be deliberate.
- Preservation controls: Keeping orientation and timestamps, saving copies, and removing macOS extended attributes offer control over side effects. These controls do not overcome limitations in particular formats.
- Format caveats: The tested intake list spans image formats, MP4 and MOV media, and PDFs, but documented behavior is partial or unsupported for RAF, MKV, TIFF, AVIF and some RAW files. The app's PDF update is reversible: original metadata remains recoverable, so ExifCleaner cannot securely erase it.
Pricing
ExifCleaner has one Free plan at no cost, with desktop support for macOS 12+, Windows 10+ and 64-bit Linux. Batch editing and RAW file support are included, but RAW support does not mean every RAW format is fully handled; the documented partial-removal caveat for some files still applies. There are no paid tiers to unlock additional capabilities.
Platforms
ExifCleaner runs on macOS 12 or later, Windows 10 or later, and 64-bit Linux. Its desktop availability makes it suitable for cleaning files on those systems, but not for workflows that require a mobile app or another platform.
Who it's for
Choose ExifCleaner if you need free, local batch cleanup on a supported desktop system and value seeing the fields removed from each file. Its copy and timestamp options also suit users who want to preserve file context while stripping metadata. Look elsewhere if your work depends on secure PDF metadata erasure or reliable full removal across formats such as TIFF, AVIF, MKV, RAF or certain RAW files.
Pros and cons
- Pro: Large batches and a per-file metadata diff combine efficient cleanup with a way to review its effect.
- Pro: The project states there is no network traffic, telemetry or phone-home behavior, and the app is free and MIT-licensed.
- Pro: Copy, orientation and timestamp options help avoid changing more than the metadata workflow requires.
- Con: PDF changes are reversible, leaving original metadata recoverable; it is not a secure-erasure tool for PDFs.
- Con: Several formats have partial-removal or unsupported behavior, which can undermine a batch workflow built around them.
- Con: Releases are unsigned, so users must weigh that against the published SHA-256 checksums.
Alternatives
For a broader set of photo metadata editors to compare, see Photo Metadata Editors.
- ExifTool is also free and supports Linux, macOS, Windows, API and self-hosted use; choose it if those deployment options better fit your workflow.
- Photini is a free GPL-3.0-or-later option for Linux, macOS and Windows; consider it if that software license is a better fit.
- Exif Pilot offers a free Basic EXIF editor on Windows; choose it if Windows-only EXIF editing meets your needs.
- GeoSetter is free for Windows with no usage restrictions; it may suit a Windows-only workflow.
- EXIF Studio is a paid macOS and Windows alternative; consider it if you want a paid option on either system.
- MetaImage is a paid macOS alternative; choose it if you need a paid metadata app for Mac.
- Photo Exifer is a paid option for iOS and macOS with a free trial; consider it if you need one of those platforms.
- QromaTag is a paid iOS and macOS option with a one-week macOS trial; consider it if those platforms suit your workflow.
Verdict
ExifCleaner is a strong fit for desktop users who want free, local batch metadata removal with a clear record of fields removed. Its privacy posture, file-preservation controls and broad desktop reach make it an appealing everyday cleaner. Choose another tool when secure PDF erasure or dependable handling of its documented problem formats matters more than a free, inspectable batch workflow.
Getting started
- Visit https://exifcleaner.com/.
- Use a system running macOS 12 or later, Windows 10 or later, or 64-bit Linux.
- Get the desktop app for your system.
- Drag supported files or folders onto the application to process them.
Limits worth knowing
Some RAW files and RAF, MKV, TIFF, and AVIF may be only partly handled or unsupported. PDF metadata updates are reversible, leaving original metadata recoverable.
Questions
How much does ExifCleaner cost?
ExifCleaner is free, with a Free plan at no cost.
Which systems does it support?
It supports macOS 12 or later, Windows 10 or later, and 64-bit Linux.
Can it process multiple files together?
Yes. It can process tens, hundreds, or thousands of files at once, including files or folders dragged onto the app.
Is ExifCleaner open source?
Yes. It is released under the MIT License.
Does it securely erase metadata from PDFs?
No. PDF updates are reversible, so original metadata remains recoverable.
Are releases code-signed?
No. Releases are unsigned, and SHA-256 checksums are published for every artifact.
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