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SPECIFICTION
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LICEcap

cockos.com

Free plan WindowsmacOS
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Spec score 7.8 #17 of 33 in GIF Maker Software

What it is

LICEcap captures a selected area of a Windows or macOS desktop and saves animated recordings as GIF or LCF files. During recording, the frame can be moved, recording can be paused and restarted, and an optional text message can be inserted when pausing. Shift+Space provides a global pause toggle. Capture settings include a maximum frame rate, a basic title frame, mouse-button recording and elapsed-time display. LCF is the native format; the maker says it offers higher compression than GIF, more than 256 colors per frame and more accurate timestamps. LCF recordings can play in REAPER, where they can be converted to GIF or another video format. LICEcap is GPL free software, and 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. The maker recommends a reasonably fast CPU and at least 1GB of RAM, especially for LCF encoding. Discussion is directed to Cockos Forums.

Spec sheet

Purpose
LICEcap captures an area of the desktop and saves animated screen captures as GIF or LCF files.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Capture platforms
Windows,macOSRead 23 Sep 2026 · cockos.com
Free plan
YesRead 23 Sep 2026 · cockos.com
Support
The maker directs users to discuss LICEcap in the Cockos Forums.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Headquarters
Rosendale, New York, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · cockos.com
Founded
2004Read 28 Sep 2026 · cockos.com
Company
Cockos Incorporated says it was founded in 2004 and lists a postal address in Rosendale, New York.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Capture options
Options include an adjustable maximum recording frame rate, a basic title frame, recording mouse button presses, and displaying elapsed time.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Design
The maker describes LICEcap as an intuitive, flexible, lightweight application designed for high performance.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Downloads
The download page lists LICEcap version 1.32 for Windows and macOS, both dated June 8, 2022.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Hardware needs
The maker recommends a reasonably fast CPU and at least 1GB of RAM, especially when encoding to LCF.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Hotkey
A global Shift+Space hotkey toggles pausing during recording.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
License and source
LICEcap is GPL free software, and each download package includes the source code.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Linux note
The maker says LICEcap apparently works on Linux with WINE.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
macOS support
The listed current macOS requirements are macOS 10.7–12.x on Intel 64-bit or M1.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
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.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Playback integration
LCF recordings can be played in REAPER and used there to convert to GIF or another video format.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Recording controls
Users can move the capture frame while recording, pause and restart, and insert optional text messages when pausing.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com
Windows support
The maker lists Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11 as requirements, with possible reduced functionality on older versions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com

Plans and prices

LICEcap Free GPL free software · Windows and macOS downloads Read 9 Oct 2026 · cockos.com

Every LICEcap plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free GPL software with included source
  • Movable capture frame during recording
  • Pause hotkey and optional messages
  • LCF supports higher compression than GIF
  • Records mouse presses and elapsed time

Limits

  • Downloads are dated June 8, 2022
  • Linux support is only noted through WINE
  • Older Windows versions may lose functionality
  • LCF encoding benefits from at least 1GB RAM

Who it suits

LICEcap suits people who need lightweight animated desktop captures on Windows or macOS. It is useful when GIF or the native LCF format is sufficient.

Verdict

LICEcap provides focused desktop animation capture with GIF and LCF output, adjustable recording controls and source availability. Its dated downloads and limited Linux note are important platform considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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