Facet
Facet: A free, open-source culling engine with broad AI analysis and local deployment. Ranked #2 of 29 in AI Photo Culling Software by our editors (8.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for users wanting free, broad, self-hosted culling.
At a glance
- Editor score8.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forUsers wanting free, broad, self-hosted culling
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- AI quality scoringYes
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Scores quality across sharpness, faces, exposure, color, and composition
- Detects bursts, duplicates, similar images, closed eyes, and expressions
- Supports RAW, Lightroom export, galleries, search, and self-hosting
Where it doesn't
- Local deployment puts hardware and maintenance responsibility on the user
- Its broad gallery and organization features may exceed simple culling needs
- Workflow setup varies across Docker, native, desktop, and web deployments
Our verdict on Facet
Facet is a free, open-source photo-analysis and culling engine for photographers who want processing on their own hardware. It runs across web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and self-hosted deployments, and supports RAW, JPEG, and HEIF/HEIC files. Its audience includes users managing large photo collections, photographers seeking automated selection help, and people who prefer local software over subscription-based services.
The standout strength is breadth. Facet scores images across aesthetic quality, composition, face quality, sharpness, color, exposure, saliency, and dynamic range. It also detects bursts and selects best shots, identifies visually similar and duplicate photos, and flags closed eyes and facial expressions. Face recognition, clustering, person management, semantic search, and AI-generated tags extend the system beyond basic blur or quality checks. That combination makes it suitable for a culling workflow where selection, discovery, and organization need to work together.
Facet also fits established photo ecosystems through Lightroom, darktable, digiKam, Immich, PhotoSync, and WebDAV integrations. Its web gallery adds albums, timelines, maps, filters, and slideshows, while XMP metadata export supports Lightroom workflows. Docker and native self-hosted deployment provide flexibility, but local operation means the user is responsible for the hardware and deployment path. Facet is a strong choice for users who value free, open-source, broad functionality and control over their files. Those seeking a fully managed hosted service or a narrowly focused, minimal culling tool should look elsewhere.
Facet pricing
Facet fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| AI quality scoring | Yes |
| Subject detection | Yes |
| Duplicate detection | Yes |
| RAW photo support | Yes |
| Blur detection | Yes |
| Closed-eye detection | Yes |
| Lightroom export | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Lightroom, darktable, digiKam, Immich, PhotoSync, WebDAV |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | ncoevoet.github.io |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Facet integrations
Facet lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Lightroom
- darktable
- digiKam
- Immich
- PhotoSync
- WebDAV
Alternatives to Facet
- AftershootAn all-in-one desktop workflow for high-volume photo post-production.9.0
- OptyxA budget-friendly Lightroom companion for AI-assisted photo selection.7.9
- FilterPixelA cloud-based desktop culling tool with genre analysis, editing profiles, and broad export support.7.7
Facet vs the competition
- Facet vs Aftershoot
- Facet vs Optyx
- Facet vs FilterPixel
- Facet vs AccioPix Photo Culling
- Facet vs Narrative Select
- Facet vs Futura Photo
Compare Facet with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026
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