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SPECIFICTION
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Photini

github.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 7.4 #22 of 31 in Photo Metadata Editors

What it is

Photini is a desktop application for editing digital photograph metadata on Linux, macOS, and Windows. It works with Exif, IPTC, and XMP data, including on RAW files, and can apply changes to multiple images while adjusting dates, times, and time zones. Metadata can be written into image files or XMP sidecars, with all three formats available for compatibility. Map tabs provide place search, satellite imagery, and controls for setting photo locations through Google, Azure, or Mapbox/OpenStreetMap. Map use is free within service limits; address lookup incurs a small charge per lookup. Photini can copy photos from a camera or computer directory, though direct camera import depends on python-gphoto2, which is unavailable on Windows. It also uploads to Flickr, Ipernity, and Pixelfed, and supports marking and labeling image regions. The software is free under GPL-3.0-or-later. The project warns that bugs may damage photographs and recommends keeping backups.

Spec sheet

Purpose
Photini is a graphical application for editing digital photograph metadata in Exif, IPTC and XMP formats.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Support
The developer lists email support, a Google Groups forum and GitHub issues for problems and bug reports.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Batch editing
It can set metadata for multiple images simultaneously and adjust their dates, times and time zones.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Flickr integration
The Flickr uploader reuses Photini’s descriptive metadata for titles, descriptions and tags, and can synchronize metadata with Flickr.Read 30 Sep 2026 · photini.readthedocs.io
Geotagging
Its map tabs support Google, Azure and Mapbox/OpenStreetMap, place search, satellite imagery and setting photo locations.Read 30 Sep 2026 · photini.readthedocs.io
Image regions
Users can mark and label regions of a photo, with region data stored in IPTC, MWG and Microsoft Photo formats within XMP.Read 30 Sep 2026 · photini.readthedocs.io
Limitations
The project warns that bugs may damage photographs and recommends backing them up before use.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Metadata storage
Photini writes metadata to image files or XMP sidecar files and can write Exif, IPTC and XMP to maximize compatibility.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Online service requirements
Map and address lookup features rely on commercial online services; map access is free up to usage limits and address lookup has a small per-lookup charge.Read 30 Sep 2026 · photini.readthedocs.io
Photo import
Photini can copy photos from a camera or computer directory, while direct camera import requires python-gphoto2, which is unavailable on Windows.Read 30 Sep 2026 · photini.readthedocs.io
Security and privacy
Photini says it does not directly collect user information; map and uploader services may collect information, and uploader OAuth tokens are stored locally using Python keyring.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Social integrations
Photini supports uploading to Flickr, Ipernity and Pixelfed using photo metadata.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Free Free Free software under GPL-3.0-or-later Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com

Every Photini plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Edits Exif, IPTC, and XMP metadata.
  • Batch updates include dates, times, and time zones.
  • Supports RAW files and XMP sidecars.
  • Map tabs can set photo locations.
  • Free software under GPL-3.0-or-later.

Limits

  • Address lookup has a per-lookup charge.
  • Direct camera import is unavailable on Windows.
  • Map access is subject to usage limits.
  • Bugs may damage photographs; backups are recommended.

Who it suits

Photini suits photographers who want detailed metadata editing, geotagging, or batch updates on desktop systems. Its support for RAW files and multiple metadata formats may also help users preparing photos for varied software.

Verdict

Photini covers metadata editing, geotagging, region labels, and selected photo uploads in one desktop tool. Back up photographs first, and note the online-service limits and Windows camera-import constraint.

Where Specifiction places it

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