Overview

GIPHY Create turns images, video, and online media into short GIFs with captions, stickers, and other edits. It is best suited to people making quick, shareable clips from existing media, particularly those who want to create on a phone as well as a computer. Its broad import options and free plan are useful; short desktop video limits and a required account narrow its appeal.

Key features

Users can import JPG, PNG, GIF, MP4, MOV, and WebM files, or bring in media URLs from GIPHY, YouTube, Vimeo, and other sources. This makes it practical whether a clip is saved locally or hosted online. The editor supports captions, stickers, layer editing, and cropping, while the sticker tool accepts JPG and PNG artwork. Those basics offer enough control for short reactions and social posts, though the 15-second maximum GIF length rules it out for longer animations.

Desktop video uploads must be under 100 MB and less than 15 seconds long. Both conditions apply, so users with longer footage or larger files need to prepare a shorter, smaller clip first. Desktop GIF creation also requires signing in to a GIPHY account, a modest but real barrier for occasional users who would rather create without an account.

Creators can mark a GIF private, but private creations are visible only to that user while logged in and cannot be shared. It is useful for keeping a creation out of public view, not for sharing it privately with someone else. GIPHY says creations can be shared through social platforms, text message, and email.

The mobile GIFMaker app adds recording alongside captions, effects, stickers, and trimming. That makes it a better fit for capturing something directly on a phone than relying on a desktop upload workflow. GIPHY also offers an API and SDK for apps that want to integrate its GIFs, stickers, and other content. New API keys are beta keys capped at 100 searches or API calls per hour; production access requires an application and a pricing discussion, so this is a separate path for developers rather than a ready-made feature of the free creator.

Pricing

GIPHY Create is free: its GIPHY Create plan is free. That makes it a straightforward option for occasional personal GIF creation without a paid plan to weigh against the desktop file and duration caps. The free plan does not remove the desktop sign-in requirement or the 15-second maximum GIF length.

Platforms

GIPHY Create is available on web, Android, and iOS. The desktop maker handles file and URL imports, while the mobile app can also record GIFs and trim them. This gives users a phone-based route to capture and edit, but the desktop-specific video size and duration limits remain important when working on a computer.

Who it's for

Choose GIPHY Create for short GIFs made from common image or video formats, online media links, or a phone recording. Its editing tools and sharing options suit users who want to caption and decorate a clip without a broader video-editing workflow. Look elsewhere if you need longer GIFs, desktop video uploads of 100 MB or more, or desktop creation without a GIPHY account.

Pros and cons

Pros: It accepts several common image and video formats as well as URLs from major video and GIF sources, so users have multiple ways to bring in a clip.
Pros: Captions, stickers, layer editing, and cropping cover useful finishing steps, and the mobile app can record as well as edit GIFs.
Pros: The free plan includes GIF creation, with sharing through social platforms, text message, and email.
Cons: GIFs top out at 15 seconds, and desktop video must be both under 100 MB and shorter than 15 seconds.
Cons: Desktop creation requires a GIPHY sign-in, while private GIFs cannot be shared with another person.
Cons: Developers start with an API beta key limited to 100 searches or calls per hour; production access involves an application and pricing discussion.

Alternatives

GIF Maker Software is a useful starting point for comparing other GIF makers. For a free animation tool that does not require an account, consider Brush Ninja; its free plan includes core animation tools, and it also supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. Choose FlexClip if you need a broader video workflow across desktop and mobile: its free plan allows 12 online projects and videos up to 10 minutes, but limits each project to one stock video and one stock audio item.

Gifox is a macOS-only alternative with a 10-second screen-recording option on its Basic plan and a Pro plan priced at 14.99 USD per month, billed as a one-time purchase with taxes included. For a web-based alternative, MakeAGIF offers free GIF creation through a free account, with a Premium Membership that allows 20 seconds of video time. SSuite Gif Animator is a free option for web and Windows users.

For recording terminal sessions, Terminalizer is an open-source alternative for Linux, macOS, and Windows. LICEcap is a free option for macOS and Windows, while Honeycam is a freemium option for Windows. Readers specifically looking for AI-focused tools can browse AI GIF Makers.

Verdict

GIPHY Create is a strong free choice for people who want to turn a short clip, image, or online media link into a decorated, shareable GIF, with a mobile app for recording on the go. Its varied imports and practical editing tools are the main reasons to choose it. Look elsewhere if your clips exceed 15 seconds, your desktop video files are too large, or you do not want to sign in to create.

	Figma GIF Maker	GIPHY Create
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No
Paid from	Free	Free
Platforms	Web	Android, iOS, Web
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Supported platforms	web
Image to GIF		Yes
Video to GIF		Yes
Maximum GIF length		15 seconds

Figma GIF Maker vs GIPHY Create

Figma GIF Maker

GIPHY Create