Metadata Stripper
Metadata Stripper is a free desktop app that scans image folders and creates cleaned copies without changing the originals.
What Metadata Stripper is
Metadata Stripper is a free desktop app that scans image folders and creates cleaned copies without changing the originals. It supports JPEG, PNG and WebP files on Linux, macOS and Windows. Scanning reports which metadata categories each image contains without modifying files; cleaned versions go into a `stripped/` subfolder beside the originals. For JPEGs, the app removes EXIF, XMP, IPTC or Photoshop data and comments. For PNGs, it removes specified metadata chunks, and for WebP it removes EXIF and XMP chunks. The app says it works on file containers without changing pixel data, recompressing or resizing images. ICC color profiles are preserved in all three formats. After installation, it runs offline, keeping images on the user's machine. The maker describes metadata removal as a safety step for creators sharing thumbnails, behind-the-scenes photos or marketplace listings. RAW file support is not included. The app is free and open source. The maker warns that macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen may show a standard warning at launch because code-signing is not set up for the project.
Good
- Leaves original images untouched.
- Scans and reports metadata without modifying files.
- Preserves ICC color profiles in supported formats.
- Runs offline after installation.
Watch out
- Does not support RAW files.
- macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen may warn at launch.
- Supports JPEG, PNG and WebP only.
Who it suits
Metadata Stripper suits creators who want to remove image metadata before publishing thumbnails, behind-the-scenes photos or marketplace listings. It is also relevant for users who want files processed offline on their own machine.
Verdict
Metadata Stripper creates separate cleaned copies and states that it preserves image pixels and color profiles. Its format support excludes RAW, and first launch may produce a platform security warning.
Plans and prices
From Metadata Stripper's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | JPEG, PNG and WebP images · native desktop app · open source |
The facts
Each one read from Metadata Stripper's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accessibility claim
- Infinite Creation says its pages are audited against WCAG 2.2 level AA with browser-based checks.checked 15 Oct 2001
- API and SDK
- The product page documents downloadable desktop binaries and gives no public API or SDK instructions.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Availability limitation
- The terms provide the site as-is and do not promise uninterrupted availability.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Batch scanning
- The app scans every supported image in a selected folder and reports the metadata categories found without changing files.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Color preservation
- ICC color profiles are retained in JPEG, PNG and WebP files.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Color profiles
- ICC color profiles are preserved in JPEG, PNG, and WebP files.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Documentation
- Documentation is provided as an on-page knowledge base covering workflow, metadata scope, privacy rationale and FAQs.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Downloads
- Downloads are listed for macOS Apple Silicon and Intel, Windows 64-bit, and Linux .deb or AppImage packages.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Formats limit
- The documented input scope is limited to JPEG, PNG and WebP images.checked 15 Oct 2001
- GitHub release status
- GitHub reports that the repository has no releases available.checked 15 Oct 2001
- GitHub repository controls
- The repository page exposes Issues, Pull requests, Actions, Projects and Security and quality sections for the desktop-tools project.checked 15 Oct 2001
- GitHub repository status
- The linked GitHub repository is public and shows zero forks, zero issues and zero pull requests.checked 15 Oct 2001
- GitHub security status
- The repository page shows zero security-and-quality items.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Image quality
- The maker says stripping removes container metadata without recompression, resizing or pixel changes.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- The maker describes metadata stripping as a safety step for creators publishing thumbnails, behind-the-scenes photos, or marketplace listings.checked 7 Oct 2001
- JPEG cleaning
- JPEG processing removes EXIF, XMP, Photoshop/IPTC data and comments.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Launch warning
- The maker says macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen may show a standard warning because code-signing is not set up for the project.checked 7 Oct 2001
- Licence
- The product page calls the application fully open-source but does not name a specific open-source licence.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Limit: code signing
- The maker warns that code signing is not yet set up, so first-launch operating-system warnings may occur.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Limit: extensibility documentation
- No integrations, plugin system, self-hosting procedure or developer extension mechanism is described on the product page.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Metadata removed
- Removes EXIF, XMP, IPTC or Photoshop data, and comments from JPEGs; specified metadata chunks from PNGs; and EXIF and XMP chunks from WebP files.checked 7 Oct 2001
The company
- Company positioning
- The maker says its property is evolving from a creator library into an independent media utility.checked 15 Oct 2001
- Maker identity
- Infinite Creation describes itself as a group of media professionals building free tools, guides and checklists.checked 15 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Limit: mobile apps
- The maker lists only desktop downloads and provides no iOS or Android version on the product page.checked 15 Oct 2001
The full review of Metadata Stripper
Metadata Stripper is a free desktop utility for checking image folders and removing embedded metadata. It suits creators who publish web-ready images and want a local, batch-oriented cleanup step. Its narrow format support makes it less suitable for workflows built around camera RAW files.
Overview
Scanning reports which metadata categories each image contains without changing the file. When you choose to clean images, the app writes copies to a stripped/ subfolder beside the originals. Keeping inspection and cleanup separate gives you a chance to review a batch before producing publishable copies, while preserving the untouched files as a fallback.
Metadata handling depends on format. For JPEGs, the app removes EXIF, XMP, IPTC, Photoshop data, and comments. For PNGs, it removes specified metadata chunks; for WebP, EXIF and XMP chunks. This is broad coverage for common web-image formats, but RAW files are unsupported, so it cannot serve as a single cleanup step for every photographer’s library.
Key features
Folder scanning and batch cleanup
Batch editing makes the app useful when preparing multiple thumbnails, behind-the-scenes images, or marketplace listings at once. The scan report identifies which metadata categories each image contains before cleanup, helping users decide what needs attention without altering files during inspection.
Container-level removal
The app says it removes metadata from the file container without changing pixel data, recompressing, or resizing images. It also preserves ICC color profiles in JPEG, PNG, and WebP files. That is a meaningful advantage for creators who want to retain image content and profiles while removing embedded data.
Offline operation
After installation, Metadata Stripper runs offline and keeps images on the user’s machine. That makes it a sensible choice for creators who prefer not to send unpublished images to an online service. Initial setup has a caveat: the maker says macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen may show a standard security warning because project code-signing is not set up.
Pricing
Metadata Stripper is free and open-source. The Free plan costs free and includes the native desktop app and support for JPEG, PNG, and WebP. There is no paid tier to weigh against the free version, so the practical trade-off is format scope: users who need RAW support will need another tool.
Platforms
The app is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Its desktop format coverage is consistent across the three supported systems, with JPEG, PNG, and WebP as the supported image types. macOS and Windows users may encounter the maker’s stated launch warning during installation.
Who it's for
Metadata Stripper is aimed at creators who routinely publish thumbnails, behind-the-scenes photos, or marketplace listings and want to remove embedded metadata before sharing. Its scan-first workflow, batch support, preserved originals, and offline operation suit a repeatable desktop publishing routine. It is not the right fit for someone who needs to clean RAW files or edit metadata rather than remove it.
Pros and cons
- Pros: Scans without modifying images, then writes cleaned copies separately, reducing the risk of losing originals.
- Pros: Removes several metadata categories from JPEGs and supports metadata cleanup for PNG and WebP, while preserving ICC profiles.
- Pros: Works offline after installation, keeping images on the device.
- Cons: Does not support RAW files, limiting its usefulness for camera-original workflows.
- Cons: The maker says macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen may warn at launch because code-signing is not configured.
Alternatives
Photo Metadata Editors is the broader category to browse when comparing tools for photo metadata tasks.
Choose ExifTool if you want free software across Linux, macOS, Windows, API, and self-hosted environments rather than a native desktop cleaner. ExifCleaner is another free desktop option for Linux, macOS, and Windows. EXIF Magic is a free download for Android, iOS, and macOS, with no in-app purchases, subscription, or account.
Photini is free software under GPL-3.0-or-later for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Photo Metadata Editor is a free Windows desktop app offered as an MSI installer and portable ZIP. Simple Photo Meta is a GPLv3-licensed alpha desktop application for Linux and macOS.
For Windows users, Exif Pilot has a free Basic EXIF editor and a freemium model. On iOS, Exif Lens has a free tier for viewing, browsing, filtering, and sorting photo metadata, plus a Pro plan at $0.99 a month for editing dates and times.
Verdict
Choose Metadata Stripper if you publish JPEG, PNG, or WebP images and want an offline batch cleaner that preserves originals, pixel data, and color profiles. Its focused workflow is a strong fit for that job, but RAW support is the main reason to look elsewhere.
Alternatives to Metadata Stripper
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