WebP V.S. GIF – Save the Animated GIF to WebP to Save Bandwidth
Last Updated on September 21, 2025 by Lendle Gozun
| Different | FFmpeg | Online Converter | Convertio | WidsMob GIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Function | File Convert | File Convert | File Convert | WEBM to GIF |
| File Limit | None | None | Within 100MB | None |
| Add Music | Not Support | Support | Not Support | Not Support |
| Edit GIF | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Not Allowed | Allow |
Why should you convert animated GIF to WebP? The diverse publications and websites reach conflicting findings of when to employ animated GIF or WebP file format. The website can playback the animated GIF automatically while loading the files much faster in WebP. If you need to save bandwidth and optimize the reading experience, read more to know how to improve website performance by using WebP instead of the animated GIF.
Part 1: What are the Differences between WebP and GIF
Whether you need to convert animated GIF to WebP, or vice versa, for a better understanding of the performance of each file type, let's dives deeper into each format.
GIF Overview
Along with JPEG and PNG, the GIF format is one of the most widely used file formats on the Internet and is widely supported by most browsers due to its development in 1987, a long time ago.
GIF's most distinguishing characteristic is its ability to add motion to a picture file. An animated GIF file is a still image that contains motion similar to that of a video and repeats indefinitely. Numerous websites employ the format in place of short and compact films.
Furthermore, GIF allows up to 256 different colors, which means the format has a limited ability to display a high-quality image. When you create an animated GIF file from your film, the quality may degrade significantly. It is the reason that you need to convert GIF to WebP.
WebP Overview
Google created the WebP format in 2010 to replace the JPEG, PNG, and GIF image formats on the Web. The format is lossy and lossless in nature and has a higher compression ratio than JPEG and PNG.
WebP, like GIF, supports animation, and an animated WebP is substantially smaller than a GIF file; assuming they contain the same content, the WebP file is approximately 10% to 20% lower in size than the GIF file.
Previously, few browsers supported WebP, but now since practically all browsers except IE (Internet Explorer) support WebM, photos in this format can be viewed without restriction on almost any device.
Part 2: The Simple Method to Convert GIF to WebP
Method 1: WidsMob WebP
Since the WebP is much smaller compared to the animated GIF, it is quite practical to convert GIF to WebP for much better performance, especially for saving bandwidth. WidsMob WebP is a versatile method to convert WebP to JPEG/PNG/BMP/GIF or transcode the other file formats to WebP. Moreover, you can also rotate images, resize photos, and even add watermarks to the WebP before uploading them to your website.
1. Provide different browsing modes to preview the animated WebP.
2. Convert animated GIF to animated WebP with smaller file size.
3. Resize photos in 4 different modes and enlarge the photos easily.
4. Protect the WebP photos with text watermark or image watermark.
Step 1: Download and install WidsMob WebP, launch the program, and click the Import button to import the animated GIF. Once you have imported the desired GIF file, you can preview the GIF with histogram, properties, and more other parameters.
Step 2: Click the Convert button that you can preview the animated GIF. It also enables you to resize, rotate, flip, and add text/photo watermark. There are different parameters to tweak the font, style, size, angle, position, and others for the output.
Step 3: After that, you can click the Export icon to choose the WEBP as the output format, adjust the photo quality, tweak the duration, or even overwrite the existing files. Click the Convert button to convert the animated GIF to WebP files accordingly.
Method 2: WidsMob GIF
Now you have mastered how to convert GIF animations to WEBM files, but in certain situations, there are many advantages of using GIF animations, so you also need to learn how to convert WEBM files to GIF animations. This section will provide you with detailed steps and methods for converting WEBM to GIF animation, which only requires you to use WidsMob GIF. WidsMob GIF is a software for creating, editing, and converting GIF animations, which can smoothly help you complete the task of creating GIF animations from WEBM videos.
1. Supports importing videos in MKV, MP4, WEBM, and other formats
2. Change the playback speed of GIF animation by modifying the frame rate.
3. Customize the content of GIF animation and preview it.
4. Set the number of loops for the GIF animation and export it.
Step 1: Install and download WidsMob GIF on your computer, start it, and select Video to GIF in the 3 major functional areas of the page. A dialog box will pop up, select the WEBM video and import it into the software. After the import is successful, the video will automatically generate a GIF animation and play it.
Step 2: There is a timeline below the GIF animation preview box through which you can select the content of the GIF animation. Move the selection boxes at both ends of the timeline, or enter the start time and end time at both ends of the timeline to select the content of the GIF animation. Click the Play button to preview the playback of the GIF animation.
Step 3: On the right side of the preview box, there are a series of tools for editing GIF animations. Click the Video Adjustment button, and in the drop-down menu that appears, there are 3 options to adjust the HSL of the GIF animation. Adjust the slider of Contrast and observe the changes in the preview box on the right to achieve the best appreciation.
Step 4: To facilitate the sharing of GIF animation, you can resize the GIF animation through the presets in the software, so that it can be directly uploaded to the sharing website without any compression. Click the Options button in GIF Size, select the corresponding sharing platform and post type, and the size of the GIF animation can be modified.
Step 5: There is a gap between the playback rhythm of GIF animation and WEBM video, and you need to modify it again. Click the GIF Settings and enter the playback speed of the GIF animation in the value box on the right of the Frame Rate. After editing is completed, click the Export GIF button to export the converted GIF animation to the software.
Part 3: How to Convert GIF Animation to WEBM Video on a Computer
FFmpeg is a powerful multimedia framework and command-line tool that can convert GIF animations to WEBM videos due to its extensive capabilities for handling various multimedia formats.
Step 1: Click the Download button on the official website of FFmpeg to download the FFmpeg software compressed package. Create a new FFmpeg folder in the system directory and move the successfully downloaded software compressed package to the folder.
Step 2: Click the Start icon on the Windows desktop and enter CMD in the search box to enter the command elevator program. The FFmpeg program needs to be enabled by typing ffmpeg and clicking the Enter key.
Step 3: If you need to use FFmpeg to convert GIF animation to WEBM, you need to enter ffmpeg -i inputfilename.gif -c VP9 -B:V 0 -CRF 40 outputfilename.webm.
Among them, -c refers to the video decoder, and WEBM usually uses VP8 or VP9.
-b: V refers to the video bitrate, quality can be specified by using 0.
-crf refers to specifying the converted quality.
Step 4: After the GIF animation is successfully converted into a WEBM file, you can search for it by file name. You can also specify the WEBM file name and storage directory.
Part 3: How to Convert Animated GIF to WebP Online
Method 1: Online Converter
Online Converter, as an online converter, provides a convenient way to convert GIF animations to WEBM videos. You don't need to install any software and use it directly in the browser. Although some advertising pop-ups will inevitably appear, what is very special is that it allows you to add music files during conversion.
Step 1: Directly visit https://www.onlineconverter.com/gif-to-webm in your browser to enter the GIF to the WEBM page of Online Converter. Click the Choose File button on the page and select the GIF animation in the pop-up dialog box to import it into the website.
Step 2: After the import is successful, you can select Audio File in Background Music, so that you can import background music for the WEBM video. You can set the GIF animation to play repeatedly until the music ends. Click the Convert button to start converting GIF animations.
Step 3: Wait for the progress bar to complete, and the GIF animation conversion will be completed. Click the Download button to save the converted WEBM video on your computer.
Method 2: Convertio
Convertio is a legitimate and popular online file conversion service that supports converting various file types, including images, documents, audio, video, and more. Convertio does have the capability to convert animated GIFs to WEBM videos, but unfortunately, it has a file limit, you cannot upload files larger than 100MB.
Step 1: Open your browser and enter https://convertio.co/gif-webm/ to directly enter Convertio’s GIF to the WEBM function page. Click the Choose File button to select a GIF animation from your local computer and import it to the website. You can also import animated GIFs from Dropbox or Google Drive
.
Step 2: After the GIF animation is imported successfully, it will appear in the list. Click the Add More Files button below the list to add more GIF animations for batch conversion. After the GIF animation is added, click the Convert button to start the process of converting the GIF animation to WEBM.
Step3: After the conversion is completed, you can see the word Finished and related information of the WEBM video on the page. Click the Download button to save the WEBM video converted from GIF animation on your computer.
Method 3: FreeConvert
When you need to download and convert GIF to WebP online directly, you can simply use FreeConvert to convert, crop, and resize animated GIFs by transforming URLs. Moreover, you can also resize the output image, adjust image quality, and tweak the compression speed.
Step 1: Go to the FreeConvert GIF to WebP on a web browser, you can click the Choose Files button to select your GIF files. You can select the WebP as the output format if it is not confirmed.
Step 2: Click the Gear icon to access the advanced option, which enables you to resize the output WebP file, adjust image quality, and more. After that, you can click the Apply Settings button to confirm the settings.
Step 3: Click the Convert to WebP button to start the conversion. When the status changes to done, you can click the Download WebP button to convert animated GIF to WebP accordingly.
Part 4: FAQs about Converting GIF to WebP
Conclusion
Switching from animated GIF to animated WebP yielded impressive savings, with image size and bandwidth decreased by 65-90 percent while maintaining the same visual effect. Although limited browsers support WebP files, the newer versions of Chrome are getting increasingly widespread. It is why WebP's value is growing. To save bandwidth, converting animated GIF to WebP using the WidsMob WebP should be your choice.