A workflow comparison · Updated
Selekt vs XnView MP
XnView MP is a cross-platform image viewer, organizer, and batch converter that can support a manual selection workflow. Selekt is designed specifically for shoot culling, with related-frame groups 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 XnView MP fits
Choose around your workflow.
Consider XnView MP if broad format viewing, conversion, batch tools, or Linux support matter more than dedicated culling assistance.
The differences that affect a shoot.
| What matters | Selekt | XnView MP |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop platforms | macOS and Windows. | Windows, macOS, and Linux. |
| Primary scope | Shoot culling and handoff. | Image viewing, organization, conversion, and batch processing. |
| Selection workflow | Picks, maybes, rejects, groups, and comparison. | Ratings, color labels, categories, filtering, and file operations. |
| Related frames | Automatic burst and similar-frame groups. | No automatic culling groups are advertised on the official product page. |
| AI | Local quality signals; optional cloud analysis. | No AI culling is advertised. |
| Licence | Free plan for all users; optional Pro. | Free for private, educational, public, and nonprofit use; paid company licence. |
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 →
XnView MP lists a commercial company licence at €29 for one seat, with lower per-seat prices at higher quantities. Private, educational, public-service, and nonprofit use is free. Professional photographers should confirm which licence category applies to their 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. Do you need a flexible cross-platform image utility, or culling-specific grouping and review states for repeated shoot work?
- 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.