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Head-to-head · Photo Culling Software

Narrative Select vs Selekt

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
Higher score Narrative Select #3 in Photo Culling Software 9.0/10 Free plan · paid from $15/mo (annual) Free plan✓ 6 of 6 features Try Narrative Select
Selekt #6 in Photo Culling Software 8.3/10 Free plan · paid from 16 AUD/mo Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Selekt

Narrative Select leads on 1 check, Selekt on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 7 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNarrative Select · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresNarrative Select · 6 of 6

Narrative Select scores higher on our rubric for photo culling software: 9.0 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

Narrative Select offers batch culling actions; Selekt doesn't publish it. On culling location, Selekt gives you Hybrid where Narrative Select offers Local.

Narrative Select is the better fit for offline culling with Lightroom workflows. Selekt is the better fit for photographers wanting hybrid culling with a free plan.

  • Narrative Select fits best

    Offline culling with Lightroom workflows

  • Selekt fits best

    Photographers wanting hybrid culling with a free plan

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Narrative Select 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Selekt 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.3
Ranking #3 in Photo Culling Software #6 in Photo Culling Software
Best for Offline culling with Lightroom workflows Photographers wanting hybrid culling with a free plan
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $15/mo Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS macOS, Windows
Support Email, Docs Email
Integrations 4 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Narrative Select 6/6 · Selekt 5/6
AI-assisted culling ✓ ✓
RAW preview ✓ ✓
Side-by-side compare ✓ ✓
Batch culling actions ✓ (best) Not published
Lightroom integration ✓ ✓
Offline culling ✓ ✓
Specs
Culling location Local Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes unlimited projects and images
  • AI-assisted eye, focus, scene, and image assessments
  • One-click shipping to Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture One
  • On-device scoring and grouping work offline
  • RAW/JPEG previews with side-by-side comparisons
  • Exports to Lightroom, Capture One, XMP, and social presets
Cons
  • Offline culling requires an initial sign-in
  • Advanced review tools are limited to Narrative Pro
  • Desktop support is limited to Windows and macOS
  • Cloud analysis, sync, and proofing require connectivity
  • Pro's higher cloud AI allowance uses in-app top-ups
  • Designed for macOS and Windows desktop workflows
Our verdict

Narrative Select is desktop photo culling software for photographers reviewing large shoots. It supports RAW, JPG, HEIC, and HEIF imports, then helps narrow selections with AI-assisted eye, focus, and image assessments. Scenes View groups…

Read the review →

Selekt is a desktop photo library and culling application for photographers working through photo shoots. It imports and organizes images, groups related frames and bursts, previews RAW and JPEG files, and supports pick, maybe, reject, and…

Read the review →
  1. Narrative SelectPhoto Culling Software 9.0Free plan · paid from $15/mo (annual)
  2. SelektPhoto Culling Software 8.3Free plan · paid from 16 AUD/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Narrative Select — where it wins

    • Free plan includes unlimited projects and images
    • AI-assisted eye, focus, scene, and image assessments
    • One-click shipping to Lightroom, Photoshop, and Capture One

    Where it doesn't

    • Offline culling requires an initial sign-in
    • Advanced review tools are limited to Narrative Pro
    • Desktop support is limited to Windows and macOS

  • Selekt — where it wins

    • On-device scoring and grouping work offline
    • RAW/JPEG previews with side-by-side comparisons
    • Exports to Lightroom, Capture One, XMP, and social presets

    Where it doesn't

    • Cloud analysis, sync, and proofing require connectivity
    • Pro's higher cloud AI allowance uses in-app top-ups
    • Designed for macOS and Windows desktop workflows
  • Narrative Select9.0/10 · Free plan · paid from $15/mo (annual)

    A local, offline culling workspace with strong Lightroom and editor integrations.

    Try Narrative SelectFull verdict →
  • Selekt8.3/10 · Free plan · paid from 16 AUD/mo

    A free hybrid culling workflow with local scoring, RAW previews, and cloud analysis options.

    Visit SelektFull verdict →

More comparisons

All photo culling software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update