“Did you see the demo video I sent?” became our team’s most dreaded question. Here’s the gist of it:

After spending weeks perfecting our new feature tutorial, we discovered a problem: 80% of our users never clicked play. Our analytics showed a 12-second average attention span, while our video required a 3-second buffering time plus clicking through permission screens.

The math wasn’t adding up. Our brilliant 45MB feature showcase was being ignored because it simply asked too much from busy professionals.

But we soon found a solution! Our UX designer posted a 6-second looping GIF in our group chat showing the key workflow, and engagement shot up more than 100% when we replaced the video thumbnail with this autoplay GIF in our next email campaign.

We learned that sometimes, the most effective workplace communication isn’t the most comprehensive—but the most accessible. Converting strategic moments from our videos to GIFs became our competitive edge for getting features noticed.

Here’s how you can do the same with Zight’s Video to GIF converter and a few other tools. But first;

What is Video to GIF Conversion?

Video to GIF conversion is the process of transforming video files (like MP4, MOV, WebM, or AVI) into GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) animations. GIFs are short, looping animations that are commonly used on the internet for memes, reactions, and short clips.

This conversion extracts frames from the video source and compiles them into an animated GIF file that can play on loop without requiring a video player.

Key Differences Between Video and GIF

The Best Video-to-GIF Converter or Recording Tool: Zight

Zight is the only software you need for all your GIF needs. You can:

• Use the online tool to convert your video into GIF for free
• Use the GIF maker app to create a GIF from scratch
• Re-record your video playback in video format using the Zight GIF Maker.

Let’s discuss these methods:

1. How to Use the Zight Video to GIF Conversion Tool

This method works best when you have videos you have already created and now want to convert into GIFs. To use it, open the link to the tool here: https://zight.com/tools/video-to-gif-converter/

The conversion process is very simple; in just two steps, you should be ready to download your new GIF and share it online. Basically, drag and drop your video or upload it from your device storage.

When you select your video, the conversion process will automatically begin, and you will see a progress bar that looks like this:

You can also select more than one video for automatic conversion.

The videos will convert in less than a minute, and you can then download the GIFs for further use. If you converted a batch, you can download each video individually or download them in a ZIP file as follows:

2. How to Create a GIF with Zight

If you don’t already have a video you can convert, you can reduce your workload by just recording a GIF using Zight.

Zight is one of the best GIF creation software you can use after you create a Zight account and download the app for Mac, Windows, or Chrome.

Then, launch the app and click GIF.

Alternatively, click ‘Record’ or use the keyboard shortcuts Alt + shift +6 (on Windows) and Command + Shift + 6 (on Mac). Under ‘Recording Format’, select ‘GIF’ instead of video.

To record the GIF on your Zight app;

1. Decide whether you want to record the full screen or a region of it. You can also record your GIF with your webcam turned on. So, choose between Screen Only or Screen & Cam.
2. If you want to select a region, just click the corresponding button. It will allow you to select a part of the video you want to record.
3. Record GIF as per your plan limit (15 seconds on the Free Plan/1 minute on the Premium Plan). You can pause to annotate the GIF video, and once done, click ‘Finish’ to upload it to the cloud.
4. You can now share the GIF as a Zight link or download it to your device.
5. GIFs are recorded without sound by default.

If you’re using the Chrome extension, click the Zight icon on your ‘Extensions,’ then click ‘GIF.’

Next, you’ll need to select either of these recording preferences: Chrom Tab, Window, or the Entire Screen. Then, click ‘Share’ and start recording.

3. How To Make a GIF From a Video Using Zight

If you have a short video clip on your device, you don’t necessarily need to convert it into GIF format using the Zight tool above (especially if you want to share it as a link!)

In this case, you can re-record the playback using the Zight GIF maker to capture everything as follows:

1. Locate the video you want to play and record (online, YouTube, recorded, or live)
2. Launch Zight before you play, then click the GIF button.
3. When you do so, you will see your screen recording preferences, including Full Screen Select Region, Screen Only, and Screen & Cam.
4. Should you want to record a region in the video, click Select Region. Click and drag the Zight tool to select the region with the video that you want to record.
5. Start recording on Zight, and after the timer counts down, hit play on your video. The video will now be re-recorded in a loopable format without the microphone or system audio.

Once you create GIF files like this, they’ll automatically be saved in your Zight cloud account. You can share a link to the GIFs with your colleagues and showcase your newest creation. Alternatively, you can download your GIF from the Zight dashboard if you want to store it on your device.

Here are some tips that’ll help you be more productive when recording with Zight:

• Ensure the video already has a good video script, with steps well highlighted to make sense in the GIF format
• Edit the video with Zight before converting. Trim the video clip to only include the current video position you want to capture as a GIF. If the video file is pretty short, you can skip this step and record the entire video. Also, merge videos or sections that need to stay
• Use a high-quality source video file for better GIF output
• Adjust the GIF’s frame rate (fps) according to your preference and file size limit. A higher fps gives smoother animation but increases file size, while a lower fps gives choppier animation but reduces file size

9 Other Video to GIF Tools To Consider

Looking for other tools you can use to convert video files to GIFs in a matter of seconds? Here are 9 MP4 to GIF converter tools to consider:

1. EzGIF

EzGIF is a reliable online video-to-GIF converter that offers a user-friendly interface. It supports a wide range of input video file formats, including MP4, AVI, and MOV.

You will upload a video to the converter, then click ‘Convert Now.’ With this tool, you cannot upload other video files simultaneously, so the process could take a bit more time if you have multiple conversions.

After converting your favorite video clip, you can further optimize the GIF to resize, annotate with text, crop, rotate, and so much more.

Unfortunately, the process is relatively slow, with numerous steps to complete before you can eventually convert.

Bonus read: Convert your MOV files into MP4 videos

2. Img2Go

Img2Go is an intuitive online video-to-GIF converter that lets you upload the source video file in a matter of seconds. The converter provides options to customize GIF duration, resolution, and quality. You can also enhance, sharpen, and equalize to make a high-quality GIF.

3. Adobe Express

Adobe Express is yet another platform you can use to convert video to GIF. While it’s a free convert tool from Adobe, you can only convert 1-minute videos, not longer.

That said, the process is easy: tap ‘Upload your Video’ and select from your files. Then, select your file size (quality) and layout, and you’ll be ready to convert and download your GIF.

4. Giphy

Giphy is a popular platform for creating and sharing reaction GIFs. It offers a video-to-GIF conversion tool on a sleek interface so you can upload videos and convert them easily. With Giphy, you can convert different video formats, including MP4 to GIF, MOV to GIF, and WebM to GIF.

Unlike Zight, you will need to create an account or log in to convert your video. But after you do, you can just as easily upload your video file before converting.

Giphy provides options to trim the video, adjust the GIF duration, and add subtitles, layers, captions, or stickers.

Bonus read: Convert your WebM files into MP4 videos

5. Convertio

This is another video-to-GIF converter with a sleek, straightforward interface. To use it, simply upload a video from your device, choose output to GIF, and start converting.

Convertio allows you to convert multiple files simultaneously, provided they don’t exceed 100 MB. Any larger than that, you’ll need to sign up for an account. The converting process may take a while if you’re converting multiple files, so be sure to copy the link to the page so you can come back to view it later.

6. KawPing

Kapwing is an online video editing platform that includes a video-to-GIF converter. You’ll get a comprehensive interface that even allows you to make your video from scratch, starting with a black canvas.

The other option is uploading the video from different platforms like your computer, Google Drive, or even a URL.

Kapwing allows you to trim the video, adjust the GIF duration, and add captions or overlays, plus other essential editing tools like resizing and cropping.

Unlike other free converters like Zight, you will then need to sign in to export the video as a GIF file.

7. Canva

Canva is one of the best tools for content creators and other creatives. The free video-to-gif tool is a welcome addition that comes with a simple process.

When you upload your video, it will open in Canva, where you can adjust the playback speed and background colors. Then, hit ‘Download,’ and save the new GIF file.

8. FlexClip

FlexClip offers superb video-to-GIF conversion with a user-friendly interface.

Click GIF Maker, and the tool will allow you to upload a video from your computer. FlexClip allows you to trim the video, adjust the GIF duration, and add text or overlays.

It also provides basic editing tools like resizing and cropping, and you can even screen-record a video before converting it. However, as a premium converter, the free version limits the size of videos you can convert, and you’ll need an account to download/export.

9. FreeConvert

FreeConvert allows you to pull an existing video from your device or cloud storage before you can convert it to GIF. To use the tool, click ‘Choose Files’ and select the file you want to use.

You will get an editor that allows you to pick a start and end time, loop counts, and GIF width and even optimize the FPS, compression, and background before you convert.

You can then convert the video to GIF before you download it to your device or save the file to your cloud storage.

Conclusion

You can now use Zight’s free tool to convert your videos into GIF files using the simple steps above. The good thing is you won’t need to open an account or install any software, and you can convert multiple files for free in one go.

Alternatively, you can directly record the GIF through the Zight app if you need content in that format. You will need an account to download and use the app, and luckily, you can even annotate your GIF files as you record them to communicate best.

You might also want to know how to convert MP4 to MP3 or image formats like HEIC to JPG, WebP to PNG, and WebP to JPG.

If you already have Zight, you can also use it to screen record, capture screenshots, record your webcam, and so much more!