Why metapeel Is Free
If a tool is free, you have every right to ask what the catch is.
The short answer
There is no catch. metapeel is not malware, not adware. It does not collect your data, sell your browsing habits, or plant behavioral trackers on your device. It does exactly what it says it does: inspects files and removes supported metadata in your browser.
But how is it free?
File processing runs in your browser. There is no metapeel file-processing backend or user database to maintain. Your computer handles the file itself; the service only needs a small hosting footprint to deliver the static website and its required resources.
I built this tool because I needed it. Every existing option was either bloated, required uploading files to a server (ironic for a privacy tool), or hid core features behind a paywall. So I made the tool I wished existed, and decided to share it.
What metapeel is NOT
Not malware
No hidden payloads or backdoors. Network requests deliver the app and required resources, not the selected file.
Not a data trap
No product analytics, tracking cookies, or fingerprinting. Your files are never uploaded.
Not adware
Zero ads. No sponsored content. No affiliate links. The interface is clean, on purpose.
Not a funnel
No free trial that becomes paid. No "premium" tier that unlocks what should be free.
How you can verify this
You don't have to take my word for it. Here is how to confirm metapeel is what it claims:
- 1.Open DevTools, Network tab. Upload a file. You will see zero outbound requests containing file data. The only network activity is loading the website itself.
- 2.Check Application, Storage. You will find only the local light/dark theme preference from metapeel. There are no analytics or advertising identifiers.
- 3.Watch the Network tab while cleaning. Image and document contents remain local. Audio and video tools may download FFmpeg resources, but they do not transmit your file.
What about costs?
Running metapeel costs almost nothing. The site is static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. There is no backend, no database, no user accounts. The main expense is the domain name.
If metapeel has helped you and you want to support its continued existence, you can buy me a coffee. But that is entirely optional. The tool is free regardless.
The promise
metapeel will never introduce paid tiers, never show advertisements, never collect user data, and never require an account. The tool you see today is the tool it will always be.
- the person behind metapeel