A workflow comparison · Updated
Selekt vs FastStone Image Viewer
FastStone Image Viewer is a Windows image browser, editor, and batch converter with useful manual culling tools. Selekt is a dedicated Mac-and-Windows culling workspace with related-frame grouping and quality signals.
Try Selekt on your next shootPublished by Selekt. This is a review of documented features, not a hands-on speed or accuracy benchmark. Vendor sources are listed below.
When Selekt fits
A free place to make your selects.
Choose Selekt if you want free, unlimited culling on Mac or Windows with on-device focus, exposure, and blur scoring, optional cloud face checks, and every final pick left to you.
When FastStone Image Viewer fits
Choose around your workflow.
Consider FastStone if you use Windows and want a broad image utility with tagging, rating, four-up comparison, editing, conversion, and batch tools.
The differences that affect a shoot.
| What matters | Selekt | FastStone Image Viewer |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS and Windows. | Windows. |
| Selection tools | Picks, maybes, rejects, and keyboard review. | File tagging, ratings, and folder-based review. |
| Comparison | Compare related photographs in a culling workflow. | Side-by-side comparison of up to four images. |
| Related frames | Automatic burst and similar-frame groups. | You choose which files to compare. |
| Other tools | Focused on culling and handoff. | Editing, batch conversion and rename, contact sheets, scanning, and screen capture. |
| AI | Local quality signals; optional cloud analysis. | No AI culling is advertised on the official feature page. |
Compare the plan you would actually use.
Selekt’s free plan includes unlimited culling and export, on-device quality scoring, and cloud AI for 100 photos a month. Pro costs A$16 a month (about US$11) and makes cloud AI unlimited for everyday shooting, with 10 GB of storage. See Selekt’s current plans →
FastStone describes Image Viewer as free for personal and educational use. Confirm the current commercial-use licence terms with FastStone if you will use it for paid photography work.
Try this before choosing
Use the same shoot in both apps.
- Choose a representative folder. Include your usual RAW files, a burst, a difficult lighting situation, and photographs you already know you would keep. Use a backed-up copy.
- Finish a real selection. Is a Windows-only general image utility enough, or would grouping and dedicated selection states reduce the work on your typical shoot?
- Complete the handoff. Open the exported selects in your editor. Check ratings, sidecars, RAW/JPEG pairing, and the amount of manual cleanup. Judge the whole workflow, not just the initial import.
A repeatable test on your own files is more useful than an unsupported claim that one app is universally faster.
Download Selekt for Mac or WindowsSources and review scope
Checked on . Features and offers can change. Selekt descriptions were checked against the desktop implementation and current plan information. No speed, accuracy, or time-saving results were measured for this comparison.