ExifTool vs Metadata Stripper

ExifTool is a free Perl library and command-line application for reading, writing and editing metadata in many file types. It can read tags, change or delete their values, and copy or move metadata between files. Supported formats include EXIF, GPS, IPTC, XMP, JFIF, GeoTIFF, ICC Profile, Photoshop IRB, FlashPix, AFCP and ID3, as well as maker notes from numerous camera manufacturers. Sources can be file names, directory names or standard input. ExifTool is available for Linux, macOS and Windows; its Perl distribution can be run by extracting it on Mac or Linux, and the Windows EXE version can also be extracted. A C++ interface lets applications communicate with an external ExifTool process. When writing metadata, ExifTool preserves the original file by adding “_original” to its name by default, and it will not write a metadata type unsupported by the target format. The maker says it is not designed as an image validator, though its extra validation checks focus mainly on JPEG and TIFF. The full Perl distribution includes documentation and API libraries. ExifTool costs nothing.

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 on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Scanning reports which metadata categories each image contains and does not modify files; cleaned copies are written to a `stripped/` subfolder beside the originals. For JPEGs, it removes EXIF, XMP, IPTC or Photoshop data, and comments. It removes specified metadata chunks from PNGs and EXIF and XMP chunks from WebP files. The app says it works on the file container without changing pixel data, recompressing, or resizing images. ICC color profiles are preserved across the supported formats. After installation, it runs offline, keeping images on the user's machine. The maker describes metadata stripping as a safety step for creators sharing thumbnails, behind-the-scenes photos, or marketplace listings. RAW files are not supported. The maker warns that macOS Gatekeeper or Windows SmartScreen may show a standard launch warning because code-signing is not set up for the project.