I take a lot of screenshots and screen recordings for documentation, bug reports, and demos. GIFs are perfect for these — they autoplay, loop, and work everywhere without requiring a play button.
One problem: macOS doesn't record GIFs natively. You either need a dedicated app or a clunky two-step workflow.
Here are 5 methods I've tested, ranked by convenience:
1. ScreenSnap Pro (What I Use)
Records directly to GIF — no video conversion step. The killer feature is instant cloud upload with a shareable link. Drop it into Slack or a GitHub issue and you're done.
One-time purchase, no subscription.
2. GIPHY Capture (Free)
Download from the App Store. Simple UI — a green window you resize over your target area.
Limitations:
- 30-second max recording
- No cloud sharing
- Region capture only (can't snap to windows)
Perfect for casual GIFs. Hit the limits fast for professional use.
3. Kap (Free, Open Source)
Lightweight, dev-friendly. Multiple export formats (GIF, MP4, WebM, APNG).
brew install --cask kap
Great for developers who want something simple without the bloat.
4. macOS + Shortcuts (Free, No Install)
Step 1: Record with Cmd + Shift + 5
Step 2: Create a Shortcut with these actions:
- Select Photos (enable Videos)
- Make GIF
- Save to Photo Album
Works but clunky. Two separate steps every time.
5. Online Converters (Ezgif)
Record a video, upload to ezgif.com, download the GIF.
Privacy concern: you're uploading to third-party servers. Works in a pinch.
Pro Tips
Keep them short: 5-15 seconds is ideal. File size grows exponentially.
Reduce dimensions: 800px wide is plenty for most uses.
Lower frame rate: 10-15 fps looks fine for demos and keeps files small.
Platform limits:
- Slack: 10MB (free workspaces)
- Discord: 8MB (non-Nitro)
- GitHub: 10MB per file
Which Should You Choose?
| If you need... | Use this |
|---|---|
| Fastest workflow | ScreenSnap Pro |
| Free + simple | GIPHY Capture |
| Free + open source | Kap |
| No installation | macOS + Shortcuts |
| Converting existing videos | Ezgif |
For regular use, a dedicated app pays for itself in time saved. For occasional GIFs, the free options work fine.
Originally published on ScreenSnap Pro
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