Tutorial on How to GIF Screen Capture on Your Computer

The online space has undeniably turned most of our activities to be executed virtually. Whether you are preparing for a meeting, creating a presentation, or even want to reach a thousand people by teaching them how to cook a meal, recording your screen is an efficient solution to capture all the necessities. However, recording screen with a native tool on your device, like the Xbox Game Bar tool and QuickTime screen recorder, poses limits on maximizing your screencasting needs. In this post, we have curated top-tier software that capture screen to GIF to the next level.

Part 1: How to Record Screen to GIF on Windows/Mac for Free

1. FVC Free Screen Recorder

With just a few clicks, recording your screen is within your reach through FVC Free Screen Recorder. This online solution offers a wide range of basic screen recording needs, leaving astonishing remarks among its users. FVC Free Screen Recorder can grab your screen activities like games, videos, and online conferences without laying any watermark on your output. Moreover, it's enabled to catch your computer screen activities along with the system and microphone sound. This way, you can leave your device on the record and play it when needed. Below, we have created a guide on how to record a GIF on Mac and Windows using FVC Free Screen Recorder.

Step 1. Land on the Best Online Screen Recorder

Open your device's search engine and type the FVC Free Screen Recorder on the search bar. Once the tool is activated, click the Start Recording button at the center to access the recording tools.

Step 2. Set the Recording

Set your recording requirements on the Recording Area, System Sound, and Camera. Once all requirements are met, hit the REC button to initiate the screen recording.

Step 3. Annotate with Recording

After the 3-second countdown, you are now recording your screen. If you need to add annotations such as text, shapes, highlights, and pen, click the Edit button on the lower left corner of the recording box.

Step 4. Save Output

To save your captured video, hit the Stop button of the FVC Free Screen Recorder. After the saving process, you will be directed to the Recorded panel of the tool. You can also tick the Folder button to access the local directory of your output.

Features:

◆ This program is a top-notch tool for adding real-time annotation while screencasting.

◆ FVC Free Screen Recorder offers highly compatible output formats, including MP4 and WMV.

◆ This tool provides a picture-in-picture effect to overlay a web camera on your screen.

◆ This tool is a no-time limit screencasting software.

2. Chrome Capture - screenshot & gif tool

Chrome Capture is a Google extension tool that turns screen recording into GIF. This web browser application lets you capture your screen in selected areas, a tab, or full-screen activities. Besides that, Chrome Capture is the best option for grabbing full-page web screenshots, so you will get all the information needed. Several users get hooked on this tool because of its easy-to-use interface and intuitive features like cropping and annotation tools. ChromeCapture makes screen recording less hassle by offering shortcut keys for taking a screenshot or stopping the recording itself. Create a GIF from screen recording using Chrome Capture by following the guide beneath.

Step 1. First, open the page you wish to capture on your Google Chrome. Afterward, click the Chrome Capture icon on the extension tools at the top right corner of your search engine.

Step 2. Now, go to the record tab of Chrome Capture and choose your preferred recording type, such as the selected area, tab, or complete. Once your choice is clicked, the recording will start. If you are done, hit the Stop button to proceed to the saving process.

Step 3. To create a GIF from the screen recording, click the Save button and choose GIF as your output file. You may also change the file name for faster retrieval.

Features:

◆ Chrome Capture offers output formats such as WebM and GIF.

◆ This tool makes the online sharing of your recorded videos easier.

◆ The Edit tool of the program allows you to add text, draw arrows, change the speed of the recordings, and more.

Part 2: How to Record and Edit GIF Recordings on Mac and Windows

1. ShareX

In terms of having an efficient and, at the same time, cost-free screen grabber, ShareX stays on the list. This tool is an open-source screen recording tool for Windows operating systems. On top of that, it offers a custom region recording, where you can choose a specific area of your screen to capture. Besides that, ShareX features the scrolling capture tool, allowing users to take a screenshot of content at once rather than multiple screenshots. If you want to learn how ShareX performs to record GIF windows, here is a step-by-step tutorial.

Step 1. First, open ShareX on your Windows device. Then, go to Capture and select your preferred recording type.

Step 2. Once the selection box appears, move your cursor to highlight the region of your screen you want to capture. Afterward, click Start.

Step 3. After recording, hit the Stop button. Afterward the screen recording options will reappear for you to select your Video and Audio output formats. Finally, hit the Download button to locate the recorded file on your computer.

Features:

◆ It offers special hotkeys to control your screen recording activity with ease.

◆ ShareX allows users to convert screen recording to GIF.

◆ The tool has three types of capturing your screen in any region: rectangle, ellipse, or freehand.

2. Recordit

Recordit is another exemplary software that lets you grab your screen activities. This tool is a GIF-based recording tool and is compatible with Windows and Mac devices. However, the program's free trial can only record up to a maximum of five minutes, and you will have to upgrade to the software's premium version to surpass this limitation. Now, let's learn how to GIF screen capture with the program.

Step 1. After installing Recordit on your device, you will see its icon on the System Tray.

Step 2. Next, wait for the tool to display on your screen. Drag the screen to record, and once set, click Start to record.

Step 3. Finally, hit the Stop button once your recording is finished. Click GIF to locate your output with a GIF file extension on the setting.

Features:

◆ Recordit provides a Historical Log of your recent and past screen recordings.

◆ This tool lets users customize their screen recording activities in different regions.

3. ScreenToGIF

Another screengrabber that you should not let go is the ScreentoGIF tool. As the name suggests, this software lets users directly create a GIF from their screen recordings. Plus, it is considered an open-source tool, meaning you don't need to spend any bucks to have it. ScreenToGIF can screenshot and export your output to PNG, PSD, and video. Of course, if you wish to share your GIF file online, ScreenToGIF can easily upload them on Imgur and Gfycat.

Step 1. Open ScreenToGIF on your device to record GIF Mac or Windows.

Step 2. To start capturing your screen, go to the Toolbox of the tool and select Recorder. Next, move the crosshair icon to a specific area to capture.

Step 3. Afterward, press F8 on your keyboard to stop the recording.

Features:

◆ It allows a webcam overlay to record yourself and your screen simultaneously.

◆ Using the Sketchboard, you can record your drawings in real time.

Further Reading:

A Step-by-step Guide on Converting MP4 to GIF on Desktop or Online

5 Best Ways to Change Image to Animated GIF [Updated 2023]

Part 3: FAQs on Screen Record to GIF

Conclusion

Whether you want to record screen to GIF or a static one, add annotations and a webcam overlay, your screencasting mission is downright possible with the abovementioned tools. Online solutions are best for a standby recording. Still, offline software is highly recommended if you want to overcome unwanted interruptions and lags on your internet connectivity.