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Head-to-head · Photo Culling Software

OptiCull vs Selekt

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 7 checks side by side
OptiCull #5 in Photo Culling Software 8.3/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit OptiCull
Selekt #6 in Photo Culling Software 8.3/10 Free plan · paid from 16 AUD/mo Free plan✓ 5 of 6 features Visit Selekt

OptiCull leads on 1 check, Selekt on 1, and 5 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

  • Free planboth

OptiCull and Selekt score identically on our rubric (8.3 out of 10) for photo culling software; OptiCull sits at #5 and Selekt at #6 in our editorial ranking, so the choice comes down to fit.

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

OptiCull is the better fit for mac users wanting automated local selection. Selekt is the better fit for photographers wanting hybrid culling with a free plan.

  • OptiCull fits best

    Mac users wanting automated local selection

  • 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 OptiCull 8.3/10 Visit ↗ Selekt 8.3/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.3 8.3
Ranking #5 in Photo Culling Software #6 in Photo Culling Software
Best for Mac users wanting automated local selection Photographers wanting hybrid culling with a free plan
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop Cloud, Desktop
Platforms macOS macOS, Windows
Support Email, Community Email
Integrations 3 integrations 2 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features OptiCull 5/6 · Selekt 5/6
AI-assisted culling ✓ ✓
RAW preview ✓ ✓
Side-by-side compare ✓ ✓
Batch culling actions ✓ (best) Not published
Lightroom integration ✓ ✓
Offline culling Not published ✓ (best)
Specs
Culling location Local Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Local AI analysis keeps photos on the device
  • Magi-Cull, Auto-Rate, and duplicate scene grouping
  • Exports selected photos to Lightroom 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
  • Available only for macOS
  • Advanced AI features require a Pro plan
  • Editing-app exports focus on Lightroom and Capture One
  • 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

OptiCull is a macOS photo-culling application for hobbyist and professional photographers who want to review, organize, and select images locally. It supports RAW previews, RAW+JPG workflows, manual ratings, duplicate grouping into scenes,…

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. OptiCullPhoto Culling Software 8.3Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. SelektPhoto Culling Software 8.3Free plan · paid from 16 AUD/mo

Strengths and trade-offs

  • OptiCull — where it wins

    • Local AI analysis keeps photos on the device
    • Magi-Cull, Auto-Rate, and duplicate scene grouping
    • Exports selected photos to Lightroom and Capture One

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only for macOS
    • Advanced AI features require a Pro plan
    • Editing-app exports focus on Lightroom and Capture One
  • 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
  • OptiCull8.3/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A Mac-focused culling app combining local AI selection with manual review tools.

    Visit OptiCullFull 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

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026