The keyboard is one of those applications that is not given special importance and, the truth is, being used very frequently It shouldn't be like this. Also, when you see a different keyboard that the operating system includes by default is when one realizes that other possibilities and amenities They're possible.
Therefore, it is important to check if your phone or tablet includes a keyboard that fits you ... and, if not, there are some installable ones that will surely give you an excellent service (and, go ahead, that in more on one occasion the one included in Android is more than enough). Therefore, we have thought about creating a list of what we believe to be the best 5 there. This list is not due to an evaluation by score, it is simply in alphabetical order since this article is more a guide than a comparison
The best keyboards on the market
Below we begin with each of the additional keyboards that we consider to be the best that can be found on Google PlaySome are free, while others cost a small fee. So the decision is entirely yours.
1.Adaptxt Keyboard
It is still in beta (testing), so it may even improve in the future. Really what this application promises is really impressive. Perfectly adapted to phones and tablets, it offers a rarely seen prediction and correction options for good, of course. It offers a wide range of configuration, but few visualization. It is not to insist, but it is perhaps one of the best for tablets, especially those of 7 or 8 inches. Finally, the way to change languages, included in the space bar, is really interesting. For now, it is free.
Enlace Google Play
2.Sine Keyboard
This is a free keyboard that, therefore, does not stop offering a very good quality. It offers a more than acceptable quality in terms of prediction and correction, but the most remarkable thing is the inclusion of very interesting options, such as the ones that connect to calendar or system clock. Therefore, it offers different things. In addition, the shortcuts are really easy to set up and use, which significantly increases the speed of entering text. Its aesthetic appearance is careful, but it is not the best it offers.
Enlace Google Play
3.SlideIT Keyboard
Without a doubt, the most interesting thing about this keyboard is that it includes options for speech recognition… But don't expect something like Siri, which is not the case. But there it is. With this keyboard you will gain in a better structure of the keys and in the inclusion of interesting options, such as the use of gestures ... but, honestly, your appearance needs to improve. It is excessively reminiscent of the Android Froyo keyboard layout, and that can be a handicap. Of course, the keyboard can be adjusted in size and shortcuts can be created. It is also free.
Google Link Play
4.Swiftkey Keyboard
It is a classic in the world of additional keyboards for Android. That experience is well used, as its quality is outstanding. It is the one chosen by many users, not in vain it already has more than 1 million installations. Offers a excellent key placement and it is very natural to write with her. By the way, it has different display options -with functional icons- which, on a 720p or higher screen, looks impressive. Creating shortcuts is really simple and intuitive. Of course, it does not have great configuration options. Its price is € 3,99 and it is in version 3.
5.Thumb Keyboard
It is the last on the list, but not the worst for it, far from it. It is another of the keyboards that has been available for Android for a while, so it offers a lots of options that it has been able to integrate with the passage of time and recommendations from users. On the contrary, it does not fit exactly well to large screens, something that has to be valued in the case of being used with tablets. It offers a good number of different designs, so it is always possible to change it and "refresh" its use. By the way, the sound that is incorporated when pressing a key is the most characteristic ... Its price is € 1,18.
Google Link Play
Any of these keyboard applications is an excellent option and do not think that these applications only serve to type, that too. On them depends, for example, the number of languages you can use when writing, the spell checker and also the word prediction.
Essential keyboards you need to consider today
- Gboard: stands out for its AI-based prediction, gesture typing and dictation, emoji and sticker search, clipboard and integrated translation. It allows you to use multiple languages at once and offers customizable themes.
- Fleksy: fast and with extensions (Fleksyapps) that add features like contextual actions, Yelp, Spotify, GIFs, and sticker packs. It offers a private mode and a good predictive engine.
- Kika keyboard: stands out for its extreme customization With thousands of themes and the ability to use your favorite background images, it features gesture typing, GIFs, and multilingual support. It includes cosmetics you can unlock with virtual coins.
- AnySoftKeyboard: open source alternative, offline prediction, with autocorrect, themes that respect light/dark mode, and a strong focus on privacy.
- Ginger: wide range of themes and fine-tuning (color, background, transparency) and useful shortcuts (calendar, notes). It offers built-in games and a competent prediction system.
- typewise: proposes a design with hex keys larger and with gestures to delete or insert; no connection required, including conventional mode if you prefer the classic design.
- Chrooma Keyboard: maximum customization with color adaptable to each app, smart prediction and correction, gestures and night mode.
- open board: based on the AOSP keyboard and maintained as a project open source, without Google add-ons; focuses on security, autocorrect, and themes.
- Minuum: shrinks the keyboard to occupy the minimum space, with floating mode and shortcuts; advanced predictive engine and support for around a dozen languages (including Spanish).
- simple keyboard: ultralight (around 1 MB), no ads, with a number bar, gestures, configurable height, and minimal permissions; ideal for modest devices.
- 1C Large keyboard: designed for those who need XXL keys for better viewing and typing; prioritizes accessibility over aesthetics.
- Yandex Keyboard: It includes integrated translation, voice commands, swipe, stickers, and GIFs; a solid alternative if you're looking to break away from the Google/Microsoft ecosystem.
How to change and manage your keyboard on Android
Installing an alternative keyboard is as simple as downloading it from Google Play and launching it. Activating and deactivating it is done from Settings > System > Languages & input > On-screen keyboard, where you can enable several at once.
When you're typing, you'll see a keyboard icon at the bottom of the screen. Tap it to toggle quickly among those you have active and select the most appropriate one according to the context.
Most keyboard apps, when you first open them, will guide you through how to activate them and set them as default, shortening the steps so you can start using them without complications.
Privacy, open source, and no-tracking options
If you value privacy, you should look at keyboards with open source Such as AnySoftKeyboard or OpenBoard, which minimize telemetry and can work offline. Simple Keyboard goes a step further with a minimal app, no ads, and very limited permissions.
The most popular keyboards are usually proprietary and, although Android allows manage permissions On a granular level, there isn't always complete transparency regarding data processing. Therefore, for sensitive messaging or offline writing, a free alternative may be the best choice.
What features should be prioritized when choosing
- Prediction and self-correction: They make a difference in speed and accuracy. Gboard and SwiftKey are the benchmarks in this area.
- Gestures and swiping: Typing without lifting your finger is much faster on small screens; check if it offers gesture erase and selection.
- Clipboard and shortcuts: Shortcuts to translation, GIFs, emojis, calendars or notes can save steps In day to day.
- Personalization.: themes, height, key size, one-handed mode, floating keyboard or divided for tablets improve ergonomics.
- Multilanguage: seamless switching between languages, dictionaries and learning jargon or proper names.
- AI Features: tone rewriting and draft generation (e.g. with Copilot in SwiftKey) speed up long texts.
What the comparative tests say
Independent studies that simulate human writing with typos analyze metrics such as autocorrect, Completed y next word predictionIn these types of tests, Gboard typically stands out for its detection and correction, closely followed by SwiftKey for autocorrect, while the iOS keyboard usually leads in next-word prediction. Fleksy and Yandex frequently round out the top spots.
The typical methodology starts with correct sentences that are "corrupted" in a controlled manner, emulating a person typing on each keyboard to measure how errors are corrected and how much text is saved. This approach allows quantify the effectiveness real beyond subjective sensation.
Beyond punctuation, the key is that your keyboard reduces errors and accurately anticipates what you want to write, especially if you use glide or dictation. This combination is the one that offers the greatest long-term convenience.
As you can see, there's more to life than just the pre-installed keyboard: from ultra-fast modular offerings to free, privacy-focused options, to keyboards that focus on customization or accessibility with larger keys. Knowing these alternatives will allow you to choose the keyboard that best suits your typing style and your design, features, and security priorities.