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Curtail
What it is
Curtail is a free Linux app for compressing PNG, JPEG, WebP, and SVG images. It supports both compression modes and lets users choose whether to preserve image metadata. Recursive directory compression supports work across directory contents, and the app restores an original file if compression would make it larger. Users can also open a compressed image or show it in its folder. Curtail is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later. The project recommends its Flatpak package from Flathub as a universal Linux installation option, and also lists unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA, and Fedora COPR packages. Flathub marks Curtail as potentially unsafe and lists read/write access to the home folder, so that permission is relevant when deciding whether to install it. The GNOME app page lists version 1.17.0, released on 2026-10-05, and links to an issue tracker for feedback and reports.
For and against
For
- Compresses PNG, JPEG, WebP, and SVG files.
- Supports recursive directory compression.
- Can retain or remove image metadata.
- Restores originals when compression increases file size.
- Free and licensed under GPL version 3 or later.
Against
- Available for Linux only.
- Flathub flags the app as potentially unsafe.
- Flathub lists read/write access to the home folder.
The verdict
Curtail offers image compression and directory processing in a free Linux app, with a safeguard against keeping larger compressed results. Before installing the Flathub version, users should consider its listed home-folder read/write permission and potentially unsafe flag.
Who it suits
Curtail suits Linux users who want to compress supported image formats, including batches within directory trees. It may also fit users who want to choose whether metadata is retained and have original files restored when compression increases their size.
Plans and prices
Curtail
Image compression; PNG · JPEG · WebP · SVG
Read 12 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Batch processing
- The changelog lists recursive directory compression as a feature.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Compression modes
- It supports both lossless and lossy compression.apps.gnome.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- File handling
- The changelog lists actions to open a compressed image and show it in its folder.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- The GNOME app page lists version 1.17.0, released on 2026-10-05.apps.gnome.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- License
- Curtail is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 or later.flathub.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Linux distribution
- The project README describes Flatpak as its recommended universal Linux package and also lists unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA and Fedora COPR packages.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Linux installation
- The project recommends installing the Flatpak package from Flathub.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Maintainer
- The GNOME app page names Hugo Posnic as maintainer and lists Toulouse, France.apps.gnome.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Metadata
- Users can choose whether to keep image metadata.apps.gnome.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Metadata controls
- Yesapps.gnome.org · read 23 Sep 2026
- Open source
- The project is released under GNU General Public License version 3 or later.flathub.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Other Linux packages
- The project also lists unofficial Snap, Ubuntu PPA, and Fedora COPR packages.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Processing components
- The project lists Oxipng, pngquant, Jpegoptim, libwebp, and Scour among the open source projects Curtail uses.github.com · read 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Curtail is an image compressor for optimizing images.apps.gnome.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Safety behavior
- The changelog says Curtail restores original files when compression produces larger files.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Sandbox access
- Flathub flags the app as potentially unsafe and lists read/write access to the home folder.flathub.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security and permissions
- Flathub marks the app as potentially unsafe and lists home folder read/write access.flathub.org · read 12 Oct 2026
- Support and feedback
- The GNOME app page directs users to the app issue tracker to give feedback or report issues.apps.gnome.org · read 12 Oct 2026
