Sometimes, you might want to express yourself while sending a text but can't find the right words. Emojis are a great way to do that, but you might not find the best emoji to represent your emotion in the default options.

Fortunately, there are many tools out there that let you create dynamic DIY emojis for free.

Here, we take a look at some of the best mobile and web apps that let you create your own emojis. We'll also go over how to make emojis and share them with friends over social media platforms.

The Best Emoji-Maker Apps for Mobile Devices

Since a bulk of social media interactions take place on mobile devices, one of the best ways to make custom emojis is via mobile apps. Let's take a look at a few of these emoji-maker apps.

1. Bitmoji

Bitmoji is one of the most popular emoji makers, giving you customizable features that let you bend your emoji styles to your taste. Bitmoji is available for download both on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and its usage on either platform is similar.

Bitmoji syncs with social media apps like Snapchat, making it convenient and easy to use. Plus, sharing custom emojis is simple, as you get to select Bitmoji as your preferred typing companion when sending out messages via Snapchat.

Related: What Is Bitmoji and How Can You Make Your Own?

Although Bitmoji doesn't link directly with WhatsApp, Facebook, or Twitter, it still lets you share personalized emojis on these social media outlets via its built-in native keyboard.

When you switch to Bitmoji's built-in keyboard, it gives you preloaded emojis you've previously customized using the Bitmoji app. You simply have to change keyboards to use Bitmoji's custom emojis for other social media outlets.

Download: Bitmoji for Android | iPhone (Free)

2. Emojily: For iPhone Users

Using Emojily is another way to make custom emojis on your iPhone. Unlike Bitmoji, it doesn't have the avatar feature, but it still gives you plenty of customization options.

Emojily also offers a built-in keyboard that lets you load up your previously customized emojis and use them in text messages.

Related: How Create and Use Memoji on Your iPhone

However, the app saves and sends all emojis as pictures instead of Unicode characters. This means a recipient will need to download your emoji as an image before they can view it.

Download: Emojily (Free, in-app purchases available)

Emoji Maker: For Android Devices

Emoji Maker is also an option for Android users. Unlike Bitmoji, it doesn't allow you to create an avatar, but it still gives you an empty template you can build your emoji on.

When you create an emoji with Emoji Maker, you can either save it or share it with friends immediately via social media outlets. If you'd like, you can also upload your emoji to the Emoji Maker cloud, where other users can download and reuse it.

Just like Emojily, your emojis are only available as photos, and won't appear as Unicode characters.

Download: Emoji Maker (Free)

How to Make Emojis With Bitmoji

To use Bitmoji, launch the app on your mobile device after installing it. If you already have a Snapchat account, you can select the Continue with Snapchat option. Then, tap Login to link Bitmoji directly with Snapchat.

Otherwise, select the Sign up with Email option, or tap Log in with Email if you have an existing Bitmoji account.

Once you've signed up or signed in to an existing account, follow these steps to create a Bitmoji:

  1. To get started, choose your Bitmoji's gender.
  2. The app will give you the option to take a selfie to model your Bitmoji after. Tap Continue to take a selfie, or tap Skip if you want to start from scratch.
  3. In the next menu, you get more styling options for your avatar. You can customize almost everything, including your Bitmoji's skin color, hairstyle, face shape, clothing, and more.
  4. Once you're satisfied with your styling, look to the upper-right corner of the app, and tap Save.

To get the most out of Bitmoji, you can also switch to its built-in keyboard. Here's how to do that:

  1. Select Keyboard at the lower-right corner of the homepage.
  2. Next, tap Turn on Keyboard.
  3. In the next menu, tap Enable in Settings
  4. In your device's Settings menu, toggle on the switch to the right of the Bitmoji Keyboard option, and confirm that you want to use the keyboard.
  5. After that, return to Bitmoji, and select Switch Keyboard.
  6. From the list that pops up, select Bitmoji Keyboard.
  7. Tap Finish to complete the keyboard switching process.

When you switch to the Bitmoji keyboard, it redesigns your custom avatar with preloaded emojis that express different emotions. You can then share your avatar as an emoji while chatting with friends over any social media outlet.

In case you ever want to reset your avatar, tap the Settings icon at the upper-right corner of the homepage. Select My Data, and then tap the Reset Avatar option to design a new avatar.

Related: How to Get New Emojis on Android

How to Create and Share Emojis From Your Browser

You can create an emoji on the web and save it on your computer as well. Creating emojis from your desktop comes in handy when you need to use them on social media sites, or while sending emails.

Using the Angel Emoji Maker

One of the best web emoji makers is Angel Emoji Maker. Once you enter the website, it loads a design template that lets you customize your emoji.

Angel emoji design template

The web app has a reactive interface that lets you preview your emoji as you create it.

However, the emojis you create via web options don't save to your computer as Unicode. You only get to download them as pictures.

How to Use Custom Bitmoji Avatars With the Gmail Web App

Since you can't send the emojis you create on the web without downloading them as images, it can be a bit inconvenient for you and the recipient, especially when you need to send emails.

If you need to add emojis to emails you send via your computer, the best way to do that is to install Bitmoji's extension into Google Chrome. Doing this syncs Bitmoji with the Gmail web app, and lets you send customized emojis directly via emails.

Related: Useful Emoji Extensions for Chrome

Note: If you've set up Bitmoji on your mobile device already, the emojis you've customized on your phone will sync with the Gmail web app as soon as you install the Bitmoji Chrome extension.

You can visit the Chrome Web Store to download this extension to your Chrome browser.

Having Fun With Custom Emojis

Although we've discussed some of the best ways to make emojis in this article, there are other free options for various devices. However, most of these apps work differently, so your choice should also depend on your purpose for sending out the emojis.