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LICEcap
LICEcap · Rosendale, New York, United States · founded 2004
What it is
LICEcap is free GPL software for capturing a selected area of a Windows or macOS desktop and saving animated recordings as GIF or LCF files. During recording, you can move the capture frame, pause or restart, and optionally add a text message when pausing. Shift+Space globally toggles pause. Options include a maximum frame rate, a basic title frame, mouse-button recording, and elapsed-time display. LCF is the native format; its maker says it offers higher compression than GIF, more than 256 colors per frame, and more accurate timestamps. LCF recordings can be played in REAPER and converted there to GIF or another video format. Download packages include source code. Version 1.32 downloads for Windows and macOS are dated June 8, 2022. Listed Windows support spans XP through 11, while macOS requirements cover 10.7–12.x on Intel 64-bit or M1. A reasonably fast CPU and at least 1GB of RAM are recommended, especially for LCF encoding.
For and against
For
- Free GPL software with source included
- Captures selected desktop areas
- Exports GIF and LCF
- Movable frame and pause controls
- Supports transparent GIF export
Against
- Listed downloads date from June 8, 2022
- Older Windows versions may have reduced functionality
- Requires a reasonably fast CPU and 1GB RAM recommendation
The verdict
LICEcap covers focused desktop capture with flexible pause and annotation controls. Its dated listed release and hardware guidance are important considerations.
Who it suits
It suits users who need lightweight desktop clips or animated GIFs on Windows or macOS. REAPER users can further convert LCF recordings.
Plans and prices
LICEcap
GPL free software · Windows and macOS downloads
Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
On the record
- Capture options
- Options include an adjustable maximum recording frame rate, a basic title frame, recording mouse button presses, and displaying elapsed time.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Company
- Cockos Incorporated says it was founded in 2004 and lists a postal address in Rosendale, New York.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Design
- The maker describes LICEcap as an intuitive, flexible, lightweight application designed for high performance.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists LICEcap version 1.32 for Windows and macOS, both dated June 8, 2022.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Hardware needs
- The maker recommends a reasonably fast CPU and at least 1GB of RAM, especially when encoding to LCF.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Hotkey
- A global Shift+Space hotkey toggles pausing during recording.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License and source
- LICEcap is GPL free software, and each download package includes the source code.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Linux note
- The maker says LICEcap apparently works on Linux with WINE.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- macOS support
- The listed current macOS requirements are macOS 10.7–12.x on Intel 64-bit or M1.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- Its native LCF format offers higher compression ratios than GIF, more than 256 colors per frame, and more accurate timestamping, according to the maker.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Playback integration
- LCF recordings can be played in REAPER and used there to convert to GIF or another video format.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- LICEcap captures an area of the desktop and saves animated screen captures as GIF or LCF files.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Recording controls
- Users can move the capture frame while recording, pause and restart, and insert optional text messages when pausing.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users to discuss LICEcap in the Cockos Forums.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- The maker lists Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 as requirements, with possible reduced functionality on older versions.cockos.com · read 9 Oct 2026
