Kepla
What it is
Kepla is a Mac app for photo culling that sorts a memory card while it copies, leaving final selections to the photographer. It groups burst duplicates and flags similar shots, out-of-focus frames, closed eyes, very dark or blown frames, and frames without anyone in them. The maker says processing happens on the Mac, works offline, and does not upload photo frames. Decisions are recorded in XMP sidecars; Kepla says it does not delete, move, rename, or write reject flags to photo files. Supported formats include CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, DNG, ORF, JPEG, and HEIF. A Lightroom Classic plugin is available, and the maker says Capture One and Bridge read the same sidecars. Kepla requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs. The app is in private preview, free during that preview, with billing set to begin when version 2.0 ships. Listed paid options include Solo from $15/mo billed annually and a $19 per month option.
For and against
For
- Groups burst duplicates and flags common image issues.
- Processes locally and works offline, according to the maker.
- Records decisions in XMP sidecars without changing originals.
- Supports RAW formats and Lightroom Classic integration.
- Runs on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
Against
- Requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
- The app remains in private preview.
- Solo is listed at $15/mo billed annually.
- The maker reports no SOC 2 report or third-party penetration test.
The verdict
Kepla offers local culling assistance while keeping final selection with the photographer. Check the macOS requirement and preview status, and note the listed annual Solo price is $15/mo.
Who it suits
Kepla suits photographers who want culling assistance for weddings, events, sports, portraits, fashion, live music, or wildlife. It may also fit teams using the Studio tier to combine second-shooter cards and share client, event, and delivery states.
Plans and prices
Private preview
Mac app in private preview
Read 4 Oct 2026 · getkepla.com
Solo monthly
Cancel any time · no founding lock
Read 4 Oct 2026 · getkepla.com
Studio monthly
Per seat · teams of 2+
Read 4 Oct 2026 · getkepla.com
Founding 100
First 100 photographers · yearly only · includes every version and tier
Read 4 Oct 2026 · getkepla.com
Solo
Unlimited cards and frames · every Mac you own · Lightroom plugin and sidecars · decisions sync to iPhone
Read 4 Oct 2026 · getkepla.com
Studio
Teams of 2+ · second shooter cards merge into one timeline · shared clients, events and delivery states
Read 4 Oct 2026 · getkepla.com
On the record
- Culling rules
- Kepla groups burst duplicates and flags same shots, out-of-focus frames, closed eyes, very dark or blown frames, and frames with nobody in them.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- File formats
- The Mac app lists support for CR3, NEF, ARW, RAF, DNG, ORF, JPEG, and HEIF.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Kepla writes XMP sidecars and provides a Lightroom Classic plugin; the maker says Capture One and Bridge read the same sidecars.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Local processing
- The maker says culling runs on the Mac, works offline, and does not upload photo frames.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The maker identifies Osmel Contreras as Kepla’s founder and photographer, and says he shoots weddings and events.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Originals
- Kepla says it does not delete, move, rename, or write reject flags to photo files; it records decisions in XMP sidecars.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Performance example
- The maker reports sorting 4,812 frames in 4 minutes 22 seconds on a MacBook Pro M3 Max on battery, while the card copied.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Platforms and requirements
- Kepla for Mac requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and runs as a universal binary on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Preview status
- The maker says the Mac app is in private preview and that its performance figures come from one reference wedding, not a multi-shoot study.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Product
- Kepla is a Mac app for AI photo culling that sorts a card while it copies and leaves final photo selection to the photographer.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security
- Kepla states that traffic uses HTTPS with HSTS, its database and storage providers encrypt data at rest, and production access is limited to the founder behind multi-factor authentication.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Security limits
- Kepla states it does not hold its own SOC 2 report and has not had a third-party penetration test.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker invites questions at [email protected] and says they are answered the same day by the person building the product.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Team tier
- Studio is listed for teams of two or more and includes merging second-shooter cards into one timeline and shared client, event, and delivery states.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Who it serves
- The maker describes Kepla as made for photographers who shoot weddings, events, sport, portraits, runway and fashion, live music, and wildlife.getkepla.com · read 4 Oct 2026
