A browser screen recorder that creates animated GIFs without uploading the captured content.
FreeOpen source
13 alternativeslicecap
LICEcap captures an area of a computer screen and saves the recording as an animated GIF.
About licecap
LICEcap captures an area of a desktop and saves the recording directly to .GIF or its native lossless .LCF format. It is a desktop application for Windows and macOS; the source notes Linux apparently works with WINE. The .LCF format is intended to provide higher compression ratios than .GIF, more than 256 colors per frame, and more accurate timestamping; .LCF files can be played back in REAPER and converted to .gif or another video format.
The app includes options such as moving the capture frame while recording, pausing and restarting with optional inserted text messages, a global hotkey, adjustable maximum framerate, title frames, mouse button recording, and elapsed-time display. It is described as GPL free software, with source included in download packages. Requirements include Windows XP through 11, macOS 10.7-12.x Intel 64-bit or M1, a reasonably fast CPU, and 1GB+ RAM, especially when encoding to LCF.
Key features
- Records a selected desktop area directly to .GIF or .LCF
- Moves the capture frame while recording
- Pauses and restarts recording, optionally inserting text messages
- Uses global hotkey shift+space to toggle pausing
- Adjusts maximum recording framerate to throttle CPU usage
- Records mouse button presses and displays elapsed time
Best for: Windows and macOS users who need lightweight animated screen captures saved as GIF or LCF files.
Good for
- GPL free software; download packages include source code
- Supports both .GIF and native lossless .LCF format
- Designed to be lightweight and function with high performance
Watch out for
- Linux support is not native; source says it apparently works with WINE
- .LCF playback and conversion depend on REAPER
- Requires a reasonably fast CPU and 1GB+ RAM, especially when encoding to LCF
licecap at a glance
- Website
- cockos.com/licecap
- Category
- Design & Creative › Image Creation & Editing
- Type
- Online tool
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
- Open source
- Not stated
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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licecap FAQ
What formats can LICEcap record?
It can record directly to .GIF or its native lossless .LCF format.
What is the .LCF format used for?
LCF is a native lossless format that allows higher compression ratios than .GIF, more than 256 colors per frame, and more accurate timestamping. LCF files can be played back in REAPER and converted to .gif or another video format.
What are LICEcap's system requirements?
Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11; macOS 10.7-12.x Intel 64-bit or M1; Linux apparently works with WINE. It also requires a reasonably fast CPU and a healthy amount of RAM (1GB+, especially when encoding to LCF).
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