3 Free Apps I Use to Make Animated GIFs or Looping Videos
Plus 3 sites to find shareable GIFs when I don’t need to make my own
GIFs have taken the internet by storm and now they are unstoppable.
People love them because they are eye-catching and tell stories that static images simply can’t do.
When used appropriately, they have the power to make an article stand out and keep readers engaged.
There are many websites that offer GIFs but these platforms are the best:
Their collections are massive and organized into categories. The search function works well too when you’re looking for something very specific.
On Giphy, hit the Embed or Share function, then copy-and-paste the URL, and voila — you have a moving picture like this!
(Note: When embedding a GIF, make sure you cite the source clearly and adhere to the owner’s terms of use. In this case, GIPHY User Terms of Service).
There may be times, however, when you desire a custom GIF. Perhaps you need to demonstrate a quick how-to or quote a phrase not found on any free site. Or maybe you want to promote your brand and impress your readers.
Creating an original GIF is incredibly easy nowadays. With so many tools available online, you don’t need to hire a graphics expert to make your own.
I’m not an illustrator but here are the three apps I use frequently to craft my own GIFs.
1. iPhone Photos App
You can turn a Live picture into a GIF by using the Photos app on your iPhone (for Android, use Google Photos).
Simply open the Live photo, click on the Live icon, and select Loop. The app will convert it into a looping video.
To make the file shareable on other devices, send it to yourself as an email attachment and download the GIF to your computer.
This was the method I used for the GIFs in my story, Your Dog Can Make You Happier and Live Longer.
2. PowerPoint
Powerpoint is not entirely free, but it has a one-month trial and free online access. You can easily animate texts, shapes, pictures, and charts by using the Animation effect.
Select the object you want to animate, pick the effect, then apply. There are a number of fun movements— from Fly In to Swivel, Zoom, or Bounce.
To generate the GIF file, click File>Export>Animated GIF.
I used this technique to build the looping images in my article, What I Became After 4 Months on Medium.
3. Make a GIF
This online site can easily turn drawings, pictures, webcam, YouTube, and Facebook videos into GIFs. A big plus is, unlike other online tools, it doesn’t put a watermark on your finished product.
The animated drawing in my article, Zero Waste Gift Wrapping, was built on the Make a GIF site.
Embed GIFs in story teasers
To embed GIFs or combine them with text and photos, as in the story teasers I included above, you can use Projector or Canva.
Compress your file size
As a final note, I recommend keeping the file size of your GIF as small as possible, preferably under 800 KB. This size will ensure your image will load quickly and playback smoothly.
You can use Compressor.io to significantly reduce the file size of your GIF without compromising image quality. I use this site all the time and it works like a charm.
Unlock your creativity and have fun with GIFs!
Author’s Note: I’m not an affiliate of the above-mentioned sites or apps. I’m merely a user sharing my experience and favorites.
