Comparison
Discord vs Telegram Custom Emoji: Free Slots vs Premium Emoji
These two answer the same question in opposite ways. Discord custom emoji belong to a server, are free to add, and work for everyone in that server. Telegram custom emoji belong to packs anyone can publish, but using them anywhere requires Telegram Premium. Stickers, which every Telegram user can send, are the free route on Telegram and behave more like Discord's emoji in practice.
Still emoji size and cap
- Discord
- 128×128 px, under 256 KB (PNG or GIF)
- Telegram
- 512×512 px transparent PNG or WebP for stickers; custom emoji need WebM (100×100, VP9) or TGS and Telegram Premium to use
Animated emoji
- Discord
- GIF (PNG, JPEG, WebP or AVIF for stills), 128x128 px, under 256 KB
- Telegram
- Not as a custom emoji; see the platform page
Where the emoji lives
- Discord
- In one server's slots
- Telegram
- In a published emoji pack
Who can use it
- Discord
- Members of that server; Nitro for other servers
- Telegram
- Telegram Premium subscribers, in any chat
Free alternative
- Discord
- Static emoji in the server
- Telegram
- Stickers, 512 by 512 WebP or PNG, free for everyone
Animated format
- Discord
- GIF under 256 KB
- Telegram
- WebM (VP9) or TGS, not GIF
Adding one
- Discord
- Server Settings, Emoji, upload
- Telegram
- Through the sticker bot, then publish the pack
| Discord | Telegram | |
|---|---|---|
| Still emoji size and cap | 128×128 px, under 256 KB (PNG or GIF) | 512×512 px transparent PNG or WebP for stickers; custom emoji need WebM (100×100, VP9) or TGS and Telegram Premium to use |
| Animated emoji | GIF (PNG, JPEG, WebP or AVIF for stills), 128x128 px, under 256 KB | Not as a custom emoji; see the platform page |
| Where the emoji lives | In one server's slots | In a published emoji pack |
| Who can use it | Members of that server; Nitro for other servers | Telegram Premium subscribers, in any chat |
| Free alternative | Static emoji in the server | Stickers, 512 by 512 WebP or PNG, free for everyone |
| Animated format | GIF under 256 KB | WebM (VP9) or TGS, not GIF |
| Adding one | Server Settings, Emoji, upload | Through the sticker bot, then publish the pack |
Pick Discord if
Discord, for a community that wants free custom emoji everyone in the space can use, with animation available to Nitro members.
Make a Discord emojiPick Telegram if
Telegram, if your audience is on Telegram: publish stickers for everyone and an emoji pack for the Premium users, and expect to convert to WebM for animation.
Make a Telegram emojiQuestions people ask
Can everyone on Telegram use custom emoji?
No. Custom emoji, static or animated, require Telegram Premium to use in chats. Stickers are the free equivalent and any user can send them.
Will a Discord GIF emoji work on Telegram?
Not as a custom emoji. Telegram wants WebM or TGS for animated emoji and stickers. A still PNG can become a Telegram sticker at 512 pixels.
Which is easier to set up for a small group?
Discord. Upload into the server and it works. Telegram needs a pack published through the sticker bot, and custom emoji only reach Premium users.