An alternative to the GIPHY GIF Maker

GIPHY's GIF Maker turns a short video or a few images into a GIF, dresses it with captions and stickers, and uploads it to your GIPHY channel, where it can be shared. smooth.video is for when you want the file itself: build the animation from text, images, shapes or video, export the GIF to your computer, and use it wherever you like, with no account and nothing uploaded.

Open the editor
  • Free
  • No signup
  • No watermark
The Stamp template, playing live. Open it in the editor

smooth.video vs GIPHY

Price
smooth.videoFree
GIPHYFree, with ads
Account
smooth.videoNot needed
GIPHYRequired to create a GIF
What you get
smooth.videoA GIF file on your computer
GIPHYA GIF uploaded to your GIPHY channel, public unless you set it to private
Starting point
smooth.videoText, images, shapes, drawings or video
GIPHYA video under 15 seconds, images, or a YouTube link
Motion
smooth.videoEntrances and keyframes on a timeline
GIPHYCaptions and stickers that appear and disappear
Sticker library
smooth.videoNo
GIPHYThe whole GIPHY sticker library
Other exports
smooth.videoMP4, WebM with transparency, PNG, JPG, WebP
GIPHYNo

GIPHY as of September 2026. Plans change, so check theirs before you decide.

When smooth.video fits better

You need a GIF for an email, a website, a README or a slide, built from your own text and images, and you'd rather keep it off a public platform and skip the account.

When GIPHY fits better

You want your GIFs out in the world: reaction GIFs or brand stickers on a GIPHY channel people can share from, with GIPHY's sticker library at hand while you make them.

How it works

  1. Open smooth.video. No account to create.

  2. Build the GIF from text, images, shapes or a video clip, and choose how each piece moves.

  3. Export as GIF. The file is saved to your computer, and where it goes next is up to you.

Start from a template

See all 203 templates

Open one, change the words, export. Every element stays editable.

Logo reveal

1080×1080

A name that pops into place

Bold statement

1080×1920

Three lines, one point

Count-up stat

1080×1080

A number that climbs

Lower third

1920×1080

Name and title, on cue

Quote card

1200×630

A line worth sharing

Product drop

1080×1350

An announcement that lands

Free, full stop
No plan, no trial, no credits, no export limit.
No account
Open the page and the editor is already there.
Nothing is uploaded
Your files are read and rendered by your own browser.
No watermark
Every export is clean, at any size, 4K included.

Questions

Can I upload my GIF to GIPHY afterward?

Yes. Export the GIF from smooth.video, then upload it to your GIPHY channel like any other GIF.

Can I make a GIF from a YouTube video?

Not from a link. Add a video file from your computer to the scene and export it as a GIF.

Is my GIF public?

No. Nothing is uploaded: the GIF is made in your browser and saved to your computer.

GIPHY GIF Maker compared with other tools

Try it before you settle on GIPHY.

It opens in a tab, works without an account, and exports without a watermark.

Open the editor
  • Free
  • No signup
  • No watermark