Free★
Giphy GIF Maker
Make captioned GIFs from clips and host them on GIPHY, with search placement reserved for approved channels.
FreeBeginnerWebiOSAndroid
Overview
GIPHY's GIF Maker creates GIFs and hosts them in GIPHY's library, which powers the GIF search inside most messengers and social apps. You build a GIF from a short video clip or a video URL, trim it, add positioned captions, and publish with tags. Source files must be under 100 MB and under 15 seconds. A separate free Mac app, GIPHY Capture, records your screen straight into GIF form.
It runs in the browser and in iPhone and Android apps. Everything is free, but you must create a GIPHY account. GIPHY states only content from approved upgraded channels is eligible for its search engine and API. An ordinary public GIF does not turn up in messenger GIF search.
Key features
✓GIFs from video files or a video URL
✓Caption editor with positioning & styling
✓Search placement needs an approved upgraded channel
✓Public or private GIF settings
✓Tags & source credit on upload
✓Mobile apps add stickers, filters & camera
✓GIPHY Capture records Mac screens to GIF
✓Free, account required
When to use
Use GIPHY's GIF Maker if:
- You will apply for an upgraded GIPHY channel. That is what GIPHY requires before your GIFs can appear in messenger GIF search.
- You are a creator or brand building a channel of reaction GIFs and stickers people can use.
- You want captions on a clip, positioned and styled, without editing software.
- You are making GIFs from moments in videos you have rights to, including via URL.
- You want a free screen-to-GIF recorder on a Mac: GIPHY Capture does exactly that.
When NOT to use
Skip it if any of these describe you:
- You want a GIF file to download and keep, with control over size and quality. Ezgif does that without an account.
- You do not want an account or your content on a platform. GIF creation requires logging in, and public GIFs join GIPHY's searchable library.
- You need to optimize, resize or convert existing GIFs. That is converter work. See GIF makers.
- Your source clip is long or large. The maker takes sources under 15 seconds and under 100 MB.
- You are using video you have no rights to. GIPHY moderates public uploads and copyright rules apply.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, creating, hosting and sharing GIFs is free. GIPHY makes its money from the platform, not from creators.
Yes. You must be signed in to a GIPHY account to create GIFs. Without one, you can only browse and share existing GIFs.
Public GIFs join GIPHY's library, are searchable, and can appear in GIF searches inside messaging apps. Private GIFs are visible only to you while logged in and cannot be shared. Choose per GIF.
Video files, existing GIFs, or a video URL, in JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4, MOV or WebM. The source must be under 100 MB and under 15 seconds. GIPHY recommends 6 seconds or less and 8 MB or less. Building a GIF from a set of still images needs GIPHY's older maker, which the current one links to.
You need an approved upgraded channel. GIPHY states only content from upgraded channel accounts is eligible for its search engine and its API. The same applies to WhatsApp. Publishing a GIF publicly with good tags is not enough on its own. Stickers made with GIPHY's sticker maker or its mobile apps can be found by @username search.
On a Mac, yes: GIPHY Capture is GIPHY's free screen-recording-to-GIF app. On other platforms, record a normal video first and feed it to the GIF Maker.
Alternatives to Giphy GIF Maker
Freemium
Imgflip GIF Maker
Makes a GIF from a video clip, a link or a set of images, with captions and controls to keep the file small.
BeginnerWeb
Paid
Make A GIF
Website for making animated GIFs from pictures, a video clip or an online video link, and hosting them.
BeginnerWeb
Free
3D GIF Maker
A free web tool that turns a still image into an animated GIF using one of 70+ effects like 3D spins, glitches and waves.
BeginnerWeb