Top 7 Useful macOS GIF Recording Tools

This article introduces seven useful GIF recording tools for macOS, ranging from free and open-source options to professional-grade software, catering to various user needs.

Home > Blog > Top 7 Useful macOS GIF Recording Tools

GIF animations have gained widespread popularity due to their concise and clear presentation style, whether used for social media sharing or as part of project presentations, GIFs can convey information in a relaxed manner. Fortunately for Mac users, there are many excellent GIF recording tools available. Below is a list of 7 GIF recording tools suitable for the macOS platform; regardless of whether you're looking for free options or more advanced features, you can find the right tool in this list.

Tool Name
Supported System
Free
Open Source
Tool Address
LICEcap
macOS, Windows
Yes
Yes
https://www.cockos.com/licecap/
GIPHY Capture
macOS
Yes
No
https://giphy.com/apps/giphycapture
Gifox
macOS
Free Trial
No
https://gifox.app/
Kap
macOS, Windows
Yes
Yes
https://getkap.co/
GIF Brewery 3
macOS
No
No
https://gifbrewery.tumblr.com/
QuickTime Player
macOS
Yes
No
Built-in to macOS

LICEcap

Tool Name
LICEcap
Supported System
macOS, Windows
Free
Yes
Open Source
Yes
Tool Address
https://www.cockos.com/licecap/

LICEcap is a simple and easy-to-use GIF recording software that allows users to record a specific area on the screen and save it directly in GIF format. The interface of LICEcap is very intuitive, making it easy for first-time users to get started quickly. In addition, it offers basic editing functions such as adjusting frame rate and adding annotations, which makes the created GIFs more lively and interesting. For users seeking a free and powerful GIF creation tool, LICEcap is a good choice.

GIPHY Capture

Tool Name
GIPHY Capture
Supported System
macOS
Free
Yes
Open Source
No
Tool Address
https://giphy.com/apps/giphycapture

GIPHY Capture is an application launched by the famous GIF sharing platform GIPHY, specifically designed for macOS. The biggest feature of this application is its simplicity—there are no complicated setting options; just click the record button to start capturing the highlights on the screen. After recording, GIPHY Capture automatically converts the video into a GIF and provides an option to upload it to the GIPHY community. For users who frequently use GIPHY, this is an extremely convenient tool.

Gifox

Tool Name
Gifox
Supported System
macOS
Free
Free Trial
Open Source
No
Tool Address
https://gifox.io

Gifox is a GIF recording and editing software designed specifically for macOS. In addition to the basic recording function, Gifox also provides a series of editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and adding text. More importantly, it can intelligently optimize the size of GIF files to ensure that the output GIF maintains high quality without being overly large. Although Gifox has a free trial version, unlocking all features requires purchasing the full version.

Kap

Tool Name
Kap
Supported System
macOS, Windows
Free
Yes
Open Source
Yes
Tool Address
https://getkap.co

Kap is another open-source screen recording tool that supports recording in GIF or other formats. Its interface is clean and sleek, making it very smooth to use. One of the highlights of Kap is its plugin ecosystem; by installing different plugins, users can extend the functionality of the software, such as achieving automatic uploading to cloud storage services or performing simple video editing. If you are a developer or designer who likes to explore and customize tools, Kap is definitely worth a try.

GIF Brewery 3

Tool Name
GIF Brewery 3
Supported System
macOS
Free
No
Open Source
No
Tool Address
https://gifbrewery.tumblr.com/

GIF Brewery 3 is a professional GIF editing tool suitable for professionals pursuing high-quality GIF output. It provides fine control options, such as frame rate adjustment, color management, and advanced compression algorithms, ensuring that the final GIF is both beautiful and efficient. Despite being a paid software, its powerful functions and outstanding performance make it the preferred choice for many creative workers.

QuickTime Player

Tool Name
QuickTime Player
Supported System
macOS
Free
Yes
Open Source
No
Tool Address
Built-in to macOS

Lastly but equally important, the built-in QuickTime Player of macOS can also be used to record the screen and export it as a GIF. Although its main function is to play multimedia files, through some simple steps, QuickTime Player can also accomplish basic GIF recording tasks. For ordinary users who occasionally need to create GIFs, this is undoubtedly one of the most convenient choices.


Learn more: