Making memes used to require Photoshop skills. Now you can create shareable memes in under a minute using your phone or browser. We tested seven meme maker apps across Android and iOS to find the ones that actually work without flooding you with ads or slapping watermarks on your creation.
- Filmora Online Meme Maker creates image, GIF, and video memes with no watermark and no registration
- 9GAG is the best Android meme app with built-in sharing to major social platforms
- Mematic offers the largest template library on iOS with over 1,000 preloaded meme formats
- Meme Generator + Meme Creator lets you add custom watermarks to protect your original work
- All apps on this list let you create memes using your own photos from your camera roll
#What Is the Best Meme Maker App Overall?
Filmora Online Meme Maker stands out as the best option for creating memes. Unlike installed apps, it runs entirely in your browser. No downloads, no account creation, no storage space used on your device.
In our testing, we created 15 memes across all formats (image, GIF, and video) and none had watermarks. The text editor lets you place captions inside or outside the image, change font size and color, and adjust positioning. The whole process takes about 30 seconds per meme.
According to PCMag’s review of free meme generators, browser-based tools like Filmora avoid the privacy concerns that come with mobile apps requesting camera and storage permissions. That’s a real advantage if you’re cautious about app permissions.
The one downside: you need an internet connection since it’s browser-based. For offline meme creation, grab one of the mobile apps below.
#Best Meme Maker Apps for Android
#9GAG Meme Maker
9GAG doubles as both a meme browser and creator. You can scroll through trending memes for inspiration, then create your own using the built-in editor. The app shares directly to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X (Twitter).
Pros: Built-in social sharing, large community for exposure, fast interface. We tested uploading a personal photo and adding text in under 20 seconds.
Cons: Videos and GIFs load slowly on older phones. Downloading high-resolution images requires patience.
#Memedroid
Memedroid has been around since 2012, making it one of the oldest meme apps still actively maintained. It includes hundreds of preset meme templates plus the option to upload your own images. According to CNET’s roundup of meme apps, Memedroid’s template library is regularly updated with current trends.
Pros: Supports 8 languages, active community that votes on submissions, video meme support. In our testing, the preset templates covered every major meme format from 2020 through 2026.
Cons: The app crashes occasionally on budget Android devices. Limited editing features compared to dedicated image editors.
#How Do You Make a Meme With Your Own Photo?
The process is nearly identical across all meme apps. Here’s how it works:
- Open your meme creator app and tap the + or camera icon
- Grant permission to access your photo library when prompted
- Select a photo from your gallery or take a new one
- Tap the text field to add your caption
- Adjust font size, color, and position
- Save to your device or share directly to social media
We tested this workflow on 9GAG, Mematic, and Filmora. The fastest was Filmora at 25 seconds from upload to finished meme. Mematic took about 35 seconds, and 9GAG around 40 seconds.
Pro tip: Crop your photo to a square before uploading. Most meme formats work best at 1:1 or 4:3 aspect ratios, and pre-cropping avoids the awkward automatic cropping that some apps apply.
#Best Meme Maker Apps for iOS
#Mematic
Mematic is the most popular meme app on iOS with over 1,000 built-in templates. The interface is clean and beginner-friendly. You pick a template, add text, and share.
Pros: Huge template library, simple drag-and-drop text placement, frequent template updates.
Cons: Many features are locked behind a $2.99/week subscription. The free version shows ads between every 3-4 actions. We counted 11 ads during a 5-minute session.
#Meme Generator + Meme Creator
This app has 500,000+ downloads and focuses on customization. You can add custom quotes, stickers, and even your own watermark to protect original memes.
Pros: Custom watermark feature, large stock photo library, sticker overlays.
Cons: The payment system confuses some users. Free tier has limited template access. According to Tom’s Guide’s app recommendations, the full version at $4.99 is worth it if you create memes regularly.
#Are Meme Maker Apps Safe to Use?
Most reputable meme apps are safe, but you should watch for a few red flags. Some lesser-known meme apps request unnecessary permissions like access to your contacts, microphone, or location data.
Before installing any meme app, check the permissions it requests. A meme maker only needs access to your camera and photo library. If it asks for anything else, that’s suspicious.
We scanned all seven apps on this list using VirusTotal. None triggered malware warnings. However, the ad-supported free versions of Mematic and Meme Generator use tracking cookies for targeted advertising.
Safe meme creation checklist:
- Only grant camera and photo library permissions
- Use browser-based tools like Filmora when possible
- Avoid apps with fewer than 10,000 downloads
- Read recent reviews for reports of malware or excessive ads
For related creative tools, check out our guides on photo squarer apps and After Effects alternatives for more advanced editing.
#Bottom Line
Filmora Online Meme Maker is the best choice for most people. It’s free, adds no watermarks, and requires no installation. For dedicated mobile apps, go with 9GAG on Android or Mematic on iOS. Skip any app that asks for permissions beyond your camera and photos. And remember: the funniest memes don’t need fancy effects. A good joke with white Impact font on a personal photo still outperforms anything over-produced.
#Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use meme maker apps for commercial purposes?
Most apps allow commercial use of memes you create from your own photos. However, using copyrighted template images (like movie stills or celebrity photos) in commercial content can create legal issues. Check each app’s terms of service.
Do meme maker apps add watermarks?
Filmora Online Meme Maker and 9GAG don’t add watermarks. Mematic and Meme Generator add watermarks on their free tiers but remove them with paid subscriptions. In our testing, Filmora was the only completely free option with zero watermarks.
What image format works best for memes?
JPEG works for most platforms. PNG is better if your meme has text overlays on solid color backgrounds, since it avoids compression artifacts around the text edges. Most social platforms compress images anyway, so don’t worry about uploading at maximum resolution.
Can I create video memes with these apps?
Yes. Filmora, 9GAG, and Memedroid all support video meme creation. Filmora handles video memes best in our testing because it processes them in the cloud, so your phone doesn’t slow down during rendering. Video memes are limited to about 30 seconds on most platforms.
Are these apps available on both Android and iOS?
9GAG and Memedroid are available on both platforms. Mematic is iOS-only. Meme Generator + Meme Creator works on both. Filmora is browser-based, so it works on any device with a web browser.
Do I need an internet connection to make memes?
Installed apps like 9GAG and Mematic work offline for basic meme creation using your own photos. You’ll need internet to access template libraries, download new formats, or share directly to social media. Filmora requires an internet connection since it’s entirely browser-based.
How do I make my memes go viral?
There’s no guaranteed formula for viral memes. Post during peak hours (6-9 PM in your timezone), use trending formats, and make sure the joke is immediately clear without explanation. The most viral memes on Reddit and X are usually the ones that make someone laugh within 2 seconds of seeing them.
What font do most memes use?
Impact Bold in white with a black outline is the classic meme font. Most meme maker apps default to this style. Newer meme formats sometimes use sans-serif fonts like Helvetica or the iOS system font for a cleaner look.