ExifTool
Operator: Phil Harvey
Free local tool for reading, writing and removing metadata in images, videos and documents.
Image, Video & Geo
Product
ExifTool, a command-line program and Perl library for file metadata.
Availability and source date
Active
As of: 16 October 2026.
No functionality test has been performed.
Use in OSINT research
Reads information such as capture time, camera model and stored GPS coordinates from existing files. Metadata can be changed and does not prove authenticity on its own.
Queries
| Input | Result | Result type |
|---|---|---|
| Image + Video + Document / file | Metadata stored in the file, where the format and fields are supported. | Retrieved |
Features
- Reads EXIF, GPS, IPTC, XMP and manufacturer-specific camera data.
- Writes, copies or removes metadata in supported file formats.
- Processes multiple files and entire folders.
- Renames and organises files using their metadata.
- Outputs metadata as text, HTML, XML, JSON or CSV.
- Reads time-related metadata such as GPS tracks from supported videos.
Categories
- Image, Video & Geo
- Image metadata
Coverage
Dataset
Processes the supplied local files. No proprietary people, company or image search index.
Access
Installation and deployment
Locally installable
Runs locally on Windows, macOS and Unix/Linux. The Perl distribution requires Perl 5.004 or later; Windows packages include Perl. No full graphical interface of its own.
Requirements
Local use without an account. Windows packages include Perl; packages or the Perl version are available for macOS and Unix. Operated through the command line.
Export
Text, tab-separated output, HTML, XML, JSON and CSV; also extracted thumbnails.
Provider
Phil Harvey
Country of establishment
Unknown
Interfaces
API
Available. Local Image::ExifTool Perl API for reading and writing metadata. No hosted REST API.
MCP
Not documented. Not described in the product and help pages reviewed.
AI agents
Not documented. Not described in the product and help pages reviewed.
Maintenance
Licence
Perl Artistic License or GPL (as for Perl; repository includes GPL-3.0)
Latest activity
Commit 05/2026
Stars
approx. 5,200 (as of 16 October 2026)
Legal note
Limitations
- Reading and writing are not equally supported for all file formats.
- Metadata may have been altered or removed; it does not establish a file's authenticity on its own.
- When PDF metadata is removed, the original values remain in the file.
Guides and practical reports
Official · ExifTool: Features and getting started
Phil Harvey · EN
Explains installation, initial commands, file formats and limitations when writing metadata.