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.
smooth.video vs GIPHY
| smooth.video | GIPHY | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free, with ads |
| Account | Not needed | Required to create a GIF |
| What you get | A GIF file on your computer | A GIF uploaded to your GIPHY channel, public unless you set it to private |
| Starting point | Text, images, shapes, drawings or video | A video under 15 seconds, images, or a YouTube link |
| Motion | Entrances and keyframes on a timeline | Captions and stickers that appear and disappear |
| Sticker library | No | The whole GIPHY sticker library |
| Other exports | MP4, WebM with transparency, PNG, JPG, WebP | No |
GIPHY as of September 2026. Plans change, so check theirs before you decide.
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 164 templatesWhen 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.
Questions
- Can I upload my GIF to GIPHY afterwards?
- 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.