The best video to GIF app for iPhone depends on your needs, ranging from Apple's free built-in Shortcuts app to GIF makers with text, stickers, and effects:
- Apple Shortcuts
- GIFit
- ImgPlay
- GIPHY
- 5SecondsApp
We make GIFit, so we have tried to describe every app here fairly, including where ours falls short.
Apple Shortcuts
Apple Shortcuts is the best option if you want a free, built-in way to make a GIF without installing another app.
Pros:
- Built in: the Shortcuts app is already on your iPhone and includes a Make GIF action.
- Free: no watermark and nothing to buy.
- Reusable: once set up, you can run it from the share sheet in Photos.
Cons:
- Setup required: you build the shortcut yourself or add one from the Gallery.
- Few controls: there is no frame rate, speed, or file size preview, and GIFs can look choppier than the video.
Apple covers how to build and run shortcuts in its Shortcuts User Guide.
GIFit
GIFit is the best video to GIF converter if you want a free app with no watermark and control over size and smoothness.
Pros:
- Free, no watermark: GIFit has no in-app purchases and does not add a logo to your GIFs.
- Size control: trim the clip, set the size, 5 to 30 FPS, and 0.5x to 3x speed, then check the estimated file size before converting.
- On-device conversion: your video is converted on your iPhone and is not uploaded.
Cons:
- Video only: GIFit converts videos from Photos, not Live Photos or photo sets.
- No extras: there is no text, stickers, filters, or reverse mode, and it only exports GIFs.
ImgPlay
ImgPlay is the most complete GIF maker on this list if you are willing to pay to remove the watermark.
Pros:
- Many sources: videos, Live Photos, burst shots, photos, and screen recordings.
- Deep editing: crop, frame-by-frame edits, reverse playback, text, stickers, and filters.
- More formats: export as GIF, MP4, APNG, or WebP.
Cons:
- Watermark: removing it is part of ImgPlay Premium.
- More than some people need: the number of tools can slow down a simple conversion.
GIPHY
GIPHY is best if you mostly want to find and send GIFs, and only sometimes make your own.
Pros:
- Huge library: search GIPHY's GIFs and stickers when you do not need your own.
- Creative extras: stickers, animated text, and face filters.
- Easy sharing: an iMessage app and keyboard for sending GIFs quickly.
Cons:
- Search first: making a GIF from your own video is a secondary feature, and GIPHY's help center says to log in before creating.
- Tracking: its App Store privacy label includes data used to track you.
5SecondsApp
5SecondsApp is a good indie pick if you want to shoot GIFs in the app, make stop motion, or use an iPad.
Pros:
- Camera and library: record something new or use photos and videos you already have.
- Stop motion: build GIFs frame by frame.
- iPhone and iPad: it also includes an iMessage extension.
- No signup: you do not need an account, and its App Store privacy label says no data is collected.
Cons:
- Basic output controls: the listing mentions trim, reorder, and speed, but not frame rate or a file size estimate.
- Newer iOS required: it needs iOS 17.6 or later.