Selekt

Selekt is a desktop photo library app for photographers handling large shoots. It suits Mac and Windows users who want to cull locally and work offline, with cloud features as an option rather than a requirement. Its strongest advantage is that local workflow; its main compromises are limited free cloud allowances and an unencrypted local catalogue.

Overview

Selekt brings importing, organization, rating, RAW processing, tagging, and export into one desktop workflow. It groups bursts, similar frames, and duplicates, then scores focus, exposure, and blur on the computer. That combination can help photographers narrow a shoot before editing, though automated scores are best treated as a selection aid.

Importing, manual culling, and export work offline, and culling, grouping, and quality scoring do not upload photographs. Cloud AI, synchronization, and client proofing need an internet connection. A free account enables AI scoring and grouping; no sign-in is needed for importing, culling, or exporting.

Key features

Culling and image handling

Profiles for weddings, portraits, sports, and events tailor quality scoring to common shoot types. Side-by-side comparison and AI-assisted culling support reviewing similar frames. Selekt supports major camera RAW formats including CR2/CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, RW2, ORF, PEF, SRW, and DNG, as well as JPEG, TIFF, PNG, HEIC, and HEIF.

Cloud tools and integrations

Cloud analysis can flag closed eyes, create face close-ups, and tag subjects and scenes for later search. This extends the local selection workflow, but depends on a connection and involves cloud processing. XMP sidecar export provides a handoff to Lightroom Classic, Capture One, and Adobe Bridge rather than requiring those tools to be replaced.

Privacy and security

Implemented network paths use HTTPS/TLS. Cloudflare R2 objects and metadata, along with Amazon Rekognition face vectors, are encrypted at rest. The local catalogue is a SQLite database without database-level encryption, a meaningful drawback for photographers who keep sensitive client work on a shared or exposed computer.

Pricing

Selekt is freemium, with a Free plan at no cost (billed A$0/ forever) and Pro at A$16 a month (billed A$16/month (about US$11 a month)).

• Free: Unlimited imports, culling, and export; on-device focus, exposure, and blur scoring; XMP export; 100 cloud AI photos per month; and 1 GB for sync and client proofing. It is a capable starting point for local selection, but the AI quota and storage constrain ongoing cloud use.
• Pro: Unlimited cloud AI, 10 GB for sync and client proofing, priority support, and a high fair-use limit. At 16 AUD per month, it is aimed at working photographers who need more cloud capacity and client galleries; the free tier gives up those larger allowances and priority support.

Platforms

Selekt runs on macOS and Windows. The Mac app supports Apple silicon and Intel, while Windows support is through a 64-bit installer for Windows 10 and 11. Linux and mobile platforms are not supported.

Who it's for

Selekt is a sensible fit for photographers who want local culling and scoring, offline importing and export, and an XMP handoff to an established editor. Working photographers who use client proofing or want cloud AI beyond 100 photos per month have a clearer case for Pro. It is a weaker fit for photographers who need cloud features offline or require encryption for the local catalogue.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Local grouping and scoring keep core culling on the computer, without uploading photographs.
• Pro: Offline import, manual culling, and export support work away from a reliable connection.
• Pro: Broad RAW and image-format support plus XMP export make it useful alongside major editing applications.
• Con: Free cloud AI is capped at 100 photos per month, and sync and client proofing share just 1 GB.
• Con: Cloud AI, sync, and client proofing stop being usable without internet access.
• Con: The local SQLite catalogue has no database-level encryption, despite encryption at rest for specified cloud data.

Alternatives

Photo Culling Software and AI Photo Culling Software are useful starting points for comparing tools by category.

• Photo Curator is the alternative to consider if Linux support or a free, open-source option matters more than Selekt’s stated cloud and client-proofing workflow.
• Vantage is worth considering for iPhone use and its free tools for recent duplicates, monthly best photos, and space saving.
• Cullora may suit readers who prefer monthly filing quotas—50 photos anonymously or 200 with a free account—alongside unlimited viewing, rating, and flagging.
• SnapCuller is another freemium option for Mac and Windows photographers.
• Keeper is a macOS-only alternative with a free tier limited to 10 records and one mobile device.
• OptiCull is another freemium alternative for macOS.
• Culvia is a free alternative that also supports Linux and the web.
• FilterPixel is a freemium Mac and Windows option, with a one-time Extra DeepCull shoot priced at 7.99 USD for up to 5,500 photos.

Verdict

Choose Selekt if you want desktop culling that stays local, offline basics, and a route from free use to larger cloud allowances for client work. Its strongest reason to buy is the combination of on-device scoring and practical export; look elsewhere if you need an encrypted local catalogue or cloud tools that work without an internet connection.