Best Android Keyboards for Every Need: Level Up Your Texting

Finding the perfect Android keyboard can make using your phone a better experience, whether texting friends or composing emails. 

While your phone's default keyboard gets the job done, switching to a specialized keyboard can make typing faster, easier, and more enjoyable.

Today's keyboards offer much more than basic typing, with features like gesture typing, voice input, and predictive text becoming standard. 

Popular options like Gboard and SwiftKey pack all the features you could want, and specialized keyboards like Fleksy and Typewise take unique approaches to mobile typing.

This round-up explores the top Android keyboards of 2024 to help you find your perfect match.

Top Android Keyboards of 2024

When choosing the best Android keyboard, you should consider features like customization, prediction accuracy, and typing speed. Each keyboard offers unique advantages to meet different user preferences and needs.

Gboard – The Google Keyboard

Best All-Around, Best for Google Users

Gboard, developed by Google, is popular for its wide range of features. 

It supports glide typing, voice typing, and handwriting inputs, making it versatile for all users, and it works great with any Android device.

With built-in Google Translate and thousands of emoji choices, it caters to those who need flexible inputs or want to add a little flair to their messaging and communications. 

You can personalize your keyboard theme and layout to match your style, making it fit your aesthetic and tie in with your launcher or messaging apps.

While not the top pick for accuracy, Gboard performs well with word prediction and autocorrect, which can speed up your typing and reduce errors. 

The seamless integration with Google services such as Google Search, going above and beyond just offering value as a keyboard.

Finally, GBoard ensures your data remains private while typing and doesn’t store anything you’ve written or provide extensive AI writing features that might analyze your text.

Learn More: Google Play

Simple Keyboard

Best for Privacy, Best for Minimalists

Simple Keyboard is precisely what its name suggests—a no-frills typing app. 

It's designed to be lightweight and fast, perfect for those who don't need extra features like emojis or GIFs. This lightweight design also makes it an ideal option for budget or older phones with aging processors or slower performance.

Your data stays private by default since the keyboard requires no special permissions or internet access.

The interface is clean and minimalistic, providing basic theming options but little else, which helps you focus on typing without distractions. 

This app is ideal if you're looking for a straightforward, efficient keyboard that won't drain your device's resources or distract you while typing.

Learn More: Google Play

SwiftKey Keyboard

Best Predictive Text, Best Glide Typing Keyboard

Microsoft’s SwiftKey is well-known for its AI-powered predictions, improving typing accuracy over time. 

The keyboard learns from your typing style, helping it offer precise suggestions matching your language usage. 

If you sign in with a Microsoft account, there’s even cloud syncing of your profile to ensure you have a similar experience on every device you use with the app.

With a wide array of themes to choose from, you can customize SwiftKey to suit your visual preferences, and there are plenty of emojis and stickers to personalize your messages, too. 

The keyboard also supports bilingual typing, allowing you to switch languages seamlessly without changing settings. 

Despite its many features, SwiftKey remains responsive and efficient on Android devices. But those worried about data privacy or looking for a minimalist option might look elsewhere.

Learn More: Google Play

Fleksy Keyboard

Best for Speed

Fleksy is recognized for its speed, having been noted as one of the fastest typing experiences, whether tapping or swiping the keys. 

It uses powerful gesture controls that let you erase words, add punctuation, and more with simple swipes. It also features decent text prediction and autocorrect.

This keyboard appeals to those who like quick and smooth interactions while typing.

One problem is its limited support for special characters, which might concern users needing diverse symbols. There are also a bunch of extensions available that add features but add complexity and can impact performance on your device.

Fleksy allows you to customize your experience with professionally designed themes and even offers typing stats to track performance if you’re a number person. 

While this positions Fleksy as a premium keyboard app, it may be intimidating or bloated for some users. 

Learn More: Google Play

Typewise

Best for Error Prevention, Most Unique Android Keyboard

Typewise is unique for its optional hexagonal key layout, which is aimed at reducing typos and improving typing speed. 

Getting used to the innovative design might take some time, but reviewers noted that it improves their typing accuracy once they adapt. 

If you need to correct your input, swipe-based editing means you can perform most edits without worrying about positioning your finger in the right spot of your messages.

All your text input stays local on your device, adding privacy to its innovative approach.

Customization options allow you to adjust the layout and feedback, making it a flexible choice for those who enjoy tailored experiences. 

Typewise also supports multiple languages, making it suitable for frequently switching between them. 

If you’re looking for a fresh take on what a mobile keyboard can be, Typewise offers an innovative alternative to standard layouts.

Learn More: Google Play

Other Specialized Android Keyboards to Consider

Beyond our top picks, here are some keyboards designed for specific needs:

Keyboards for Programmers and Professionals

A keyboard with enhanced programming features can be a massive help for coders. 

These keyboards often include customizable shortcuts, extended character sets, and syntax highlighting. 

Some popular options include Hacker's Keyboard, which offers a full PC-style layout, and CodeBoard, which provides specialized programming features like arrow keys, quick access to programming symbols, and real-time code scanning with Python support. 

These keyboards ensure access to essential keys and functions that make coding on your device more efficient and user-friendly.

If you use the same phrases often, for example, in business emails or social media marketing, Phraseboard is also an interesting option.

It allows you to create entries for common phrases you use frequently and type entire sentences, like “this could have been a meeting” or “your mic is muted,” in a single tap! 

GIFs, Emojis, and Sticker Keyboards

Want to spice up your messages with more than just text? Several keyboards specialize in making your chats more expressive. 

Fleksy, one of our top picks above, stands out with lightning-fast GIF search and a massive collection of animated content. 

It lets you quickly find and share GIFs, memes, stickers, and emojis by sliding your finger across the screen—all while keeping your typing data private.

For even more options, Emoji Keyboard packs a comprehensive collection of emojis with smart suggestions that help you find the perfect reaction. 

For GIF lovers, Facemoji offers quick access to trending GIFs and stickers, making adding flair to your conversations easy.

These keyboards focus on making your messages more fun and engaging, perfect for anyone who likes to communicate with more than just words.

Privacy-Focused FOSS Keyboards

Two of our top picks lead the way here: 

Simple Keyboard keeps things clean and minimal with just the essentials, while Typewise adds privacy-focused innovation with its unique hexagonal layout.

 Both are perfect if you want a keyboard that minds its own business.

If you're looking for something in between, AnySoftKeyboard strikes a nice balance between privacy-focused options and more popular commercial choices. 

It's fully open-source, doesn't need internet access, and keeps all your typing data on your device while offering handy features like autocorrect and language support.

There are even a bunch of extensions to add features you might find missing from the basic version.

All these privacy-focused keyboards are light on system resources and don't ask for unnecessary permissions—just straightforward, private typing without the bloat.

Accessibility Keyboards

Do you need a keyboard that's easier to see or use? Several keyboards focus on specific accessibility needs. 

1C Big Keyboard leads this category by using 100% of your screen space for extra-large keys, making it perfect for users with vision challenges, limited manual dexterity, or larger fingers. 

It cleverly compresses the QWERTY layout into a more readable format and supports multiple languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian.

While not just keyboard apps, Voice Access provides enhanced voice control features, such as dictation and voice typing, while EVA Facial Mouse offers face tracking for users who can't use traditional touch controls.

Choosing Your Ideal Keyboard

When choosing your ideal Android keyboard, start by identifying your main priorities:

• Daily Typing Needs: Are you mainly texting, writing emails, or coding? Do you communicate more with visual formats, such as stickers and emoji? Do you type in multiple languages? Your primary use will help narrow down which specialized features matter most.
• Typing Style: Consider your physical typing preferences. Do you use one hand or two? Do you prefer gesture typing or traditional tapping? Are you okay with a non-traditional layout? Some keyboards are optimized for specific styles.
• Feature Balance: More features often mean higher battery use and storage needs. Decide if you want a full-featured keyboard or if you'd prefer a lighter option.
• Privacy Level: Consider how much access you're comfortable giving a keyboard. Some require network access and other privacy permissions for advanced features, while others work offline and ask for little or no permissions.

Remember, you don't need to settle on your first choice. Most keyboards offer free versions, so try a couple that match your priorities.

You might even find that the best option is to swap between more than one keyboard for different uses!

Recap: Our Top Picks for Android Keyboards:

• Gboard: Best All-Around, Best for Google Users
• Simple Keyboard: Best for Privacy, Best for Minimalists
• SwiftKey: Best Predictive Text, Best Glide Typing Keyboard
• Fleksy: Best for Speed
• Typewise: Best for Error Prevention, Most Unique Android Keyboard

If you need help figuring out where to start, try our top overall pick, Gboard, for a full-featured experience or Simple Keyboard if you prefer a minimalist approach.

Final Thoughts

In the short time smartphones have been available, they’ve quickly progressed from interesting tech novelties to everyday items. 

There’s a good chance that, for better or worse, your phone is one of the first things you touch every morning and one of the last things you touch every night.

Statistically speaking, there’s a strong chance you’re reading this very round-up on your phone or tablet.

As such, optimizing your phone to work for you instead of commanding all your time and attention is essential to maintaining a healthy balance between the technology you use every day and making the most of every moment you have.

While it might seem minor, you probably use your phone or tablet’s keyboard hundreds of times daily. So, ensuring it’s the best keyboard for your needs is an excellent step in the right direction.

Your Turn

Did we miss your favourite Android keyboard app? Do you have a question about the features? Are you looking for something in a keyboard that we didn’t consider? We want to hear what you think! Drop a comment in the box below or get in touch on Facebook.