VCR Glitch Maker

Apply an animated retro glitch effect to any image.

Upload an image to begin.

Create Authentic VCR Glitch Animations

Step back in time with the VCR Glitch Maker, a free online tool that applies an animated, retro VHS effect to any image. Perfect for artists, social media creators, and anyone looking to add a nostalgic, lo-fi aesthetic to their visuals. This tool simulates the classic distortions of an old videotape, including bad tracking, color bleed, scan lines, and static grain. Because the effect is animated in your browser, you can capture the perfect moment as a PNG frame or record a high-quality video of the effect in action.

A Guide to the Glitch Controls

Each slider gives you precise control over a different aspect of the classic VCR look:

  • Speed & Frequency: Control how often the glitching and distortion effects occur.
  • Bad Tracking: Simulates the vertical jump and wobble of a misaligned VCR head.
  • Distortion: Creates horizontal tearing and blocky displacement artifacts.
  • Chromatic Aberration: Splits the color channels (RGB) to produce a retro color fringing effect.
  • Saturation & Color Bleed: Degrade the image's color fidelity, shifting hues towards a classic purple/magenta and increasing contrast for an authentic analog feel.
  • Grain & Scan Lines: Add a layer of noisy static and faint horizontal lines to complete the vintage CRT screen look.