List of the best GIF creation software
Here is a list of the most popular GIF editing software:
1. EZGIF.
The best for creating and editing GIF images for free online.
EZGIF is an online GIF creation and editing software. You can use the app to create GIFs, resize, invert, crop, and enhance images. In addition, you can also add special effects to animated images.
Features
- Creating GIFs from videos, images, or URLs
- Frame by frame editing
- Add and remove frames
- Optimizing file size
- Add text and effects
- Rotate, Crop, and Resize
- Conversion between different moving image formats
Rates
Free.
❤️ Critical review :EZGIF shines by its versatility and its free nature. Its web interface makes it accessible on all platforms, which is a considerable advantage. Optimization tools are particularly useful for reducing file sizes.
The interface may seem a bit dated compared to more modern competitors, but that doesn't hamper its effectiveness. EZGIF remains a solid choice for those looking for a comprehensive tool at no cost.
2. Make a GIF.
The best way to create free GIFs online from YouTube, Facebook, webcam, or local computer.
Make A GIF allows you to create custom GIFs. You can store all of your animated images in a free online account. It supports creating animated images from the local computer, webcam, Facebook, and YouTube URLs.
Features
- Store GIFs online.
- Support for images from YouTube, Facebook, webcam, and local computer
- Add custom captions.
Rates
Free.
❤️ Critical review :Make A GIF stands out for its ease of use and speed, making it ideal for casual users or beginners. The interface is intuitive and allows you to create GIFs quickly.
However, customization options are limited in the free version. The quality of the GIFs produced may be lower than that of more advanced tools, but still sufficient for common use on social networks.
3. Giphy.
The best for creating basic GIFs from multiple sources and for free online.
Giphy is a simple GIF maker that you can use to create animated images online. The software allows you to add an unlimited number of images in multiple formats. You can add captions to your animated GIFs. The software also allows you to create stickers and background images for virtual calls.
Features
- Create stickers in JPG or PNG format.
- Create custom virtual background images.
- Extensive library of existing GIFs
- Creating GIFs from videos or images
- Simple editing tools (cutting, adding text, stickers)
- Easy integration with social networks and messaging applications
- API available for developers
- Free hosting of created GIFs
Rates
Free.
❤️ Critical review :Giphy is a must thanks to its vast GIF library and its extensive integration with other platforms. Its creation tools are simple but effective, allowing users to quickly create GIFs.
However, advanced editing options are limited, which can be frustrating for users looking for finer control over their creations. However, Giphy is still an excellent choice for finding and sharing existing GIFs.
4. Wondershare GIF Maker
The best solution for turning photos and videos into GIFs on Windows and Mac devices.
Wondershare GIF Maker is a free application for creating animated images. You can create short animated images from an unlimited number of photos and videos. The application allows you to easily convert existing photos and videos into animated images.
Features
- Created from videos, images, or screenshots
- Frame by frame editing
- Add text, watermarks, and effects
- Precise speed and duration control
- Exporting in high quality
- Intuitive and modern interface
- Available on Windows and Mac
Rates
Free.
❤️ Critical review :Wondershare GIF Maker offers a good balance between ease of use and advanced features. Its modern interface is nice, and the editing options are comprehensive, satisfying both beginners and experienced users.
The price may be a barrier for some users, but the quality of the GIFs produced often justifies the investment for professional use. Availability on Windows and Mac is a significant plus.
5. Imgflip.
The best solution for convert videos and images in GIFs online.
Imgflip can create good quality moving images. You can create animated GIFs from images, video files, YouTube, and others websites video. The online application is easy to use thanks to its user-friendly interface.
Features
- Creating GIFs from videos, images, or URLs
- Integrated meme-generator
- Add text with customization options
- Popular template library
- Easy sharing on social networks
- Free version with watermark, paid version without watermark
Rates
Free.
❤️ Critical review :Imgflip is particularly suited for creating simple memes and GIFs quickly. Its strength lies in its active community and its library of popular templates, which makes it easy to create viral content.
Advanced editing options are limited, which may not be suitable for users looking for fine-grained control. The presence of a watermark in the free version may be annoying for some, but the paid version solves this problem.
Understanding the GIF format
Origins and characteristics of the GIF
The GIF format, created in 1987 by CompuServe, revolutionized image sharing on the Internet. Its popularity is based on its versatility and lightness.
GIFs stand out for their ability unto create animations in a loop, which makes them particularly attractive for humorous content and expressive reactions online. Their compact file size makes it easy to load quickly, even on slow connections.
- Palette limited to 256 colors
- Support for partial transparency
- Non-destructive format (no loss of quality during recording)
- Universal compatibility with web browsers
Common GIF applications
GIFs find their use in various areas of the web and digital communication. They are particularly good at creating animated logos., offering a dynamic dimension to brands' visual identities.
In the world of social networks, GIFs have become a language in their own right, allowing complex emotions to be expressed in a few animated frames. Their short and repetitive format makes them ideal for capturing attention in a dense flow of information.
Alternative formats to GIF
1. APNG: The evolution of PNG
APNG (Animated PNG) represents a significant advance over the traditional GIF. This format maintains all the benefits of static PNG while adding animation capabilities.
- Supports millions of colors, unlike the 256 in the GIF
- Offers total transparency, ideal for modern web designs
Despite these advantages, APNG is still struggling to prevail over GIF, mainly due to limited support by some browsers and platforms.
2. WebP: Innovation from Google
Developed by Google, the WebP format aims to optimize images for the web. It stands out for its versatility, taking care of both static and animated images.
WebP offers remarkable compression, significantly reducing file size while maintaining high visual quality. This characteristic makes it particularly appealing to websites concerned about their performance.
- Reduced file size by up to 30% compared to JPEGs of equivalent quality
- Support for animation with better efficiency than GIF
- Increasing adoption by major web players
- Excellent transparency management
3. SVG: The flexibility of vectors
The SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format brings a new dimension to the world of web images. Based on XML, it allows you to create graphics that can be resized endlessly without losing quality.
One of the main strengths of SVG is its ability to be animated and interactive, paving the way for dynamic and engaging web designs. Its vector-based nature makes it ideal for logos, icons, and illustrations that need to adapt to different screen sizes.
4. MP4 and WebM: The power of video
For more complex or longer animations, video formats like MP4 and WebM are emerging as serious alternatives to GIFs. These formats offer higher visual quality and more efficient compression., especially for content that is rich in motion and color.
WebM, developed by Google, is distinguished by its particularly effective open source compression, while MP4 has almost universal compatibility.
- Significantly better image quality than GIF
- Possibility to include audio
- Playback controls (pause, fast forward) available on most platforms
The choice between these alternatives will depend on the specific needs in terms of quality, file size, and support by the various platforms and browsers.
FAQs
How do I create my own GIF?
A GIF maker software can create images that contain short animations.
To create a GIF image, load a series of images into the GIF maker software. You need to number the images in the order in which you want them to appear in the animated image.
Where can I find GIFs?
Websites that are great for creating GIF images include GIPHY, Tumblr, Tumblr, Reddit, Tenor, Gfycat, and GIFbin. You can edit GIF images created using the GIF editing software. This software allows you to edit and extract images included in GIF files.
What do the initials of GIF mean?
GIF is the acronym for Graphical Interchange Format. It is a type of Bitmap image format that contains a series of images. It is a popular format for storing and transmitting short animated images.
