Comparison

PhotoMetaData vs JPEG XL Toolbox

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

PhotoMetaData

This app allows photographers to add metadata to their photos after a shooting session. Metadata can be standard or custom-defined and stored locally or in cloud storage. The metadata is saved in XMP files, compatible with image management software like Lightroom.

Highlights
  • Add custom photo metadata
  • Utilize IPTC Core 1.1 standards
  • Store metadata locally on iPad
  • Sync metadata to cloud storage (iCloud)
  • Generate XMP files for image managers
  • Compatible with Lightroom
Read full description

PhotoMetaData is a very useful app for any professional or amateur photographer. It is used to enter the metadatas after the shooting session. The values of these metadatas are either those provided by the app and consistent with the IPTC Core 1.1 either those defined by the photographer himself, his agency or his client. Once filled these metadatas are stored locally on the iPad and if asked in a cloud storage such as iCloud. In this case they can be treated immediately by a remote authorized organization. The metadas are stored in a xmp file. Then every images manager software such as Lightroom is able to import them at the same time that the images themselves.

About

JPEG XL Toolbox

This app converts various image formats, including ProRAW DNG, HEIF, and JPEG, to JPEG XL (JXL). It offers lossless and lossy compression options, preserves metadata and 16-bit depth, and supports batch conversions. The app also maintains HDR display effects.

Highlights
  • ProRAW DNG to JXL conversion
  • Lossless and lossy compression
  • Metadata and 16-bit depth preservation
  • HDR display effect support
  • Batch conversion
  • HEIF and JPEG to JXL conversion
Features
Read full description

This application offers various JPEG XL (JXL) functionalities. Supports: * ProRAW DNG -> DNG - Lossless compression, about 1/2 of the original size - Lossy compression, about 1/6 of the original size * ProRAW DNG -> JXL - Lossy conversion, about 1/7 of the original size * DNG -> JXL - Lossy conversion, about 1/7 of the original size * HEIF -> JXL - Lossy conversion * JPEG -> JXL - Lossless conversion Features: * Keeps the internal metadata * Preserves 16-bit depth * Preserves HDR display effects in iOS Photos App * Batch conversion capabilities === CHNAGELOG === ### version 0.3.2 * Bumps libjxl to v0.10.2 * Adjusts settings view ### version 0.3.1 * Improves processing speed significantly * Adds lossless mode for ProRAW compression * Uses 7 as the default effort ### version 0.3.0 * Adds ProRAW direct compression ### version 0.2.1 * Settings page adjustment * Some UI improvements ### version 0.2.0 * Adds Pro version purchase * Adds several ProRAW parameters in settings for Pro version * Adds decoding speed in settings * Low memory mode now allows devices with 4GB RAM to convert 48M ProRAW ### version 0.1.2 * Uses lossless encoding for JPEG automatically * Adds Modular mode support * Adds Progressive mode support * Adds Colorspace support * Keeps HDR effect when converting from ProRAW ### version 0.1.1 * Adds support for ProRAW to lossy JPEG XL conversion * Adds Batch conversion * Keeps DNG Metadata in JXL * Adds quality and effort in settings

Screenshots

JPEG XL Toolbox3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: JPEG XL Toolbox at 100% against PhotoMetaData's 33%. JPEG XL Toolbox also leads on price (Free vs $9.99) and rating (4.8 vs 2.5). PhotoMetaData's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

JPEG XL Toolbox is free to download; PhotoMetaData costs $9.99 up front. JPEG XL Toolbox sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PhotoMetaData asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

JPEG XL Toolbox holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of PhotoMetaData's written reviews are positive against 100% of JPEG XL Toolbox's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhotoMetaData ships an update every 5 months, JPEG XL Toolbox monthly. The most recent releases landed on July 4, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
PhotoMetaData versus JPEG XL Toolbox: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhotoMetaDataJPEG XL Toolbox
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (2 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPad, MaciPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDUSSAIX Pierre-YvesSUIKA LTD

Customer experience

PhotoMetaData

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

JPEG XL Toolbox

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

PhotoMetaData

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

JPEG XL Toolbox

One-time1
  • JPEG XL Toolbox Pro$4.99

Questions

Is PhotoMetaData free?
PhotoMetaData costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is JPEG XL Toolbox free?
JPEG XL Toolbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PhotoMetaData or JPEG XL Toolbox?
JPEG XL Toolbox is rated higher. PhotoMetaData averages 2.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while JPEG XL Toolbox averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do PhotoMetaData or JPEG XL Toolbox have ads?
Neither PhotoMetaData nor JPEG XL Toolbox shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhotoMetaData or JPEG XL Toolbox?
PhotoMetaData ships an update every 5 months, and JPEG XL Toolbox monthly. Most recently, PhotoMetaData was updated on July 4, 2026 and JPEG XL Toolbox on October 12, 2026.

Other comparisons