CullBench
CullBench is a macOS app that organizes similar photo frames locally for review and selection.
What CullBench is
CullBench is a macOS app that organizes similar photo frames locally for review and selection. Open a folder directly without importing it into a catalog. The app groups bursts, repeated compositions, and frames with changed angles or poses, while leaving ungrouped photos available. Arrow keys navigate, Space marks a Pick, and number keys apply ratings. Selected originals can be copied to a folder or sent with AirDrop, and RAW files remain originals. Supported formats include JPG/JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, BMP, HEIC/HEIF, and attempted support for several camera RAW formats. CullBench offers AI-assisted culling and RAW previews, but no Lightroom integration. Photo content, previews, filenames, shooting information, and people information are not uploaded to its cloud. Crash reports and anonymous usage metrics are off by default. It requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and Apple Silicon. A 14-day trial follows the first successful AI analysis; Lifetime Pro costs 29.99 USD once.
Good
- Local photo culling
- AI-assisted grouping
- RAW previews and originals
- AirDrop export
- Privacy settings off by default
Watch out
- No Lightroom integration
- Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later
- Apple Silicon required
- No RAW editing or XMP write-back
Who it suits
It suits wedding, event, portrait, travel, and everyday photographers using supported Macs. Local review and original-file export fit photographers who want folder-based culling.
Verdict
CullBench offers a focused local workflow for grouping and selecting similar frames. Its Mac hardware requirements and missing Lightroom, RAW-editing, and XMP features matter when assessing fit.
Plans and prices
From CullBench's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free trial | Free | Full culling workflow during trial · 14 days, starting after the first successful AI analysis. |
| Lifetime Pro | $29.99, paid once | Permanent use · complete culling workflow · One-time purchase for permanent use; App Store displays the final local price and applicable taxes. |
The facts
Each one read from CullBench's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Diagnostics
- Crash reports and anonymous usage metrics are off by default and can be enabled separately in App Settings.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Export
- Users can copy selected originals to a folder or send them with AirDrop, and RAW files remain originals.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Formats
- The site lists JPG/JPEG, PNG, TIFF, WebP, BMP, HEIC/HEIF, and attempted support for several camera RAW formats.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Grouping
- The app groups bursts, repeated compositions, and frames with changed angles or poses while leaving ungrouped photos available.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Limits
- Video, Live Photo companion MOV, RAW editing, and XMP write-back are not currently supported.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Photo content, previews, filenames, shooting information, and people information are not uploaded to a CullBench cloud for culling.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Provider
- The terms identify Qiang Fu as the application provider.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CullBench organizes similar photo frames locally to help photographers review and select images.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Review controls
- Users navigate with arrow keys, toggle Pick with Space, and rate photos with number keys.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- Product support is available at [email protected], while Apple handles App Store purchases and refunds.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Supported users
- The site describes CullBench as built for wedding, event, portrait, travel, and everyday photography.checked 9 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- CullBench requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and an Apple Silicon Mac; Intel Macs are not supported.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Workflow
- Users open a photo folder directly without importing it into a catalog.checked 9 Oct 2026
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