ExifTool
ExifTool ExifTool is the exhaustive metadata extractor for 20+ file formats, from JPEG EXIF to PDF XMP, pulling tags like GPS coords or timestamps with read/write capabilities for forensic tweaks. Run its Perl script on images or docs for JSON outputs, scripting batch renames based on embedded dates. Open-source from Phil Harvey, it's the tag tamer for analysts dissecting file histories without format fuss.
Explore →exif
exif exif is the Go-based reader for JPEG/TIFF metadata, focusing on EXIF tags with CLI simplicity for quick pulls of camera models or geolocs from photos. Compile and run on files for structured outputs, integrating into scripts for automated reviews. Open-source from mattn, it's the lightweight lens for photographers or pentesters eyeing embedded intel in images.
Explore →exifread
exifread exifread is the pure Python parser for EXIF data in JPEGs and TIFFs, extracting maker notes and GPS without external deps for easy scripting in forensics workflows. Import the lib to read tags from bytes, dumping dicts for custom analysis or reports. Open-source from ianare, it's the scriptable sniffer for devs probing photo metadata on the fly.
Explore →Hachoir
Hachoir Hachoir is the universal file parser that dissects metadata from 100+ formats like MP4 or DOCX, generating human-readable trees for deep dives into embedded structures. Use its Python CLI or lib to extract fields, walking hierarchies for custom queries. Open-source from haypo, it's the format forager for examiners harvesting clues from diverse file ecosystems.
Explore →metadata-extractor
metadata-extractor metadata-extractor is the Java lib for pulling tags from images, videos, and docs, supporting EXIF, IPTC, and XMP with directory-based access for structured reviews. Integrate into apps or CLI wrappers to read streams, exporting to JSON for analysis. Open-source from drewnoakes, it's the tag translator for Java devs decoding multimedia metadata cleanly.
Explore →exifprobe
exifprobe exifprobe is the advanced EXIF dumper that maps unknown tags in JPEGs/TIFFs, decoding proprietary fields with hex views for investigative deep dives into camera internals. Compile its C code, probe files for full tag trees, and script outputs for batch forensics. Open-source from ThomasHabets, it's the tag trailblazer for researchers mapping undocumented metadata.
Explore →mat2
mat2 mat2 is the metadata anonymizer with review mode, stripping or dumping tags from PDFs, images, and Office files while logging removed items for audit trails. Run via CLI on batches, choosing --show for previews before purge. Open-source from 0x90, it's the privacy pruner for users inspecting and sanitizing sensitive file artifacts.
Explore →python-magic
python-magic python-magic is the file type identifier with metadata hints, leveraging libmagic to detect MIME and extract basic tags for quick format confirmation in analysis pipelines. Bind it in Python scripts to sniff bytes, chaining with exifread for deeper pulls. Open-source from ahupp, it's the type tease for devs templating metadata workflows from raw inputs.
Explore →exiv2
exiv2 exiv2 is the C++ lib with CLI for reading/writing EXIF/IPTC/XMP in images, offering key-value dumps and thumbnail extracts for comprehensive media forensics. Compile for custom tools, querying tags with print commands for structured outputs. Open-source from exiv2, it's the metadata maestro for photographers and analysts orchestrating file tag symphonies.
Explore →pdfid