Typing on Android may not be as easy and fun if you're not content with the built-in keyboard that your phone ships with. In Android, customization is key, and one of the most personal and integral aspects of your mobile experience is your keyboard.
The default keyboard that comes with your Android device is functional, but why settle for the ordinary when you can explore a world of possibilities? Whether you seek improved typing speed, unique themes, advanced predictive text, or enhanced emoji support, here is a list of the best keyboard apps for Android that cater to every taste and preference.
1. Gboard
If you're seeking an Android keyboard that has your back in all aspects, try Google's Gboard. Gboard is the default keyboard on Android if you get a Pixel phone. As a built-in solution, you might think Gboard is a basic keyboard, but it's not. For starters, it supports different input methods, including regular typing, glide, handwriting, voice typing, and even Morse code!
Additionally, it packs many helpful features for your typing needs, including predictive text, a clipboard, translation support, autocorrect, a custom dictionary, emoji suggestions, multiple languages and layouts, one-handed mode, GIFs, stickers, and emojis. You'll also find features you can't find anywhere else, like the ability to schedule messages and create custom stickers in the Messages app.
If you're into customization, Gboard allows you to customize the size and theme of your keyboard. With lots of features at your disposal, you'll need to adjust various Gboard settings for improved typing.
Download:Gboard (Free)
2. Grammarly
Grammarly is another solid keyboard for Android. If the name hasn't given it all out already, Grammarly is dedicated to ensuring that your writing is grammatically correct.
The keyboard uses the company's exceptional engine for detecting and correcting spelling, grammatical, and punctuation mistakes in real time. As one of the best grammar checker apps for Android, it's a must-have if you regularly write formal messages and emails on your device.
But Grammarly is not just a writing assistant. It's also one of the best Android keyboards due to its functionalities. It gets all the basics right, from predictive typing to custom keyboard sizes, emojis, stickers, GIFs, multiple keyboard layouts, and support for different languages.
Download:Grammarly (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. Microsoft SwiftKey
Microsoft SwiftKey has been around for a while. The company's continuous improvements have made it one of the best keyboards on Android. It has multilingual support with over 700 languages, ensuring that users from all parts of the world are catered for.
Other basics like autocorrect, predictive typing, size and theme customization, emojis, stickers, and GIFs are all available. However, SwiftKey has several tricks up its sleeve that make it stand out.
First, the built-in clipboard has a cloud feature that allows you to copy and paste text between your phone and your Windows devices. Second, you can create tasks from your keyboard, and they'll be saved to Microsoft's To-Do app, so you can manage them from there. The only catch is some of these features require you to sign in.
Download:SwiftKey (Free)
4. Typewise
Unlike previous keyboards in this list, Typewise is targeted at those who need a keyboard that has a non-standard layout. Typewise uses a hexagon layout, making the keys 70% larger and easier to hit. This is a perfect option for those who need an Android keyboard with bigger keys than the standard QWERTY or QWERTZ layout.
If you master this layout, you should experience fewer typos. But if you'd like to stick with the normal layout, it has that as an option.
Typewise has gesture support that improves the overall typing experience. For example, a swipe up will capitalize a letter, a swipe left will delete, and a swipe right restores deleted letters. Autocorrect, multiple layouts, and customization (font, themes, and personal dictionary) are also supported.
Like Gboard and SwiftKey, Typewise also learns your writing style to give you personalized word suggestions. The only downside is some features will need you to pay for the app's Pro version.
Download:Typewise (Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Ginger Keyboard
Ginger is a third-party keyboard that prides itself on enabling grammar checking, like Grammarly. The keyboard layout is the standard one you're already familiar with. Ginger supports different languages, custom keyboard sizes, gestures, and glide typing input. It has spelling and grammar check and sentence rephrasing support, similar to Grammarly.
As you might expect of any robust Android keyboard, Ginger includes autocorrect, emoji suggestions, emojis, GIFs, stickers, and lots of themes. Ginger has different themes, but the layout is fixed.
Download:Ginger (Free, in-app purchases available)
6. Kika Keyboard
Kika is all about customization. If you need a functional Android keyboard that allows for tons of customization, this is, arguably, the best option out there. There are lots of options for customizing your keyboard from the background image to text and sounds.
The theme gallery contains many background images categorized for easy searches, like fruits, anime, 3D, neon, movies, and more, which are regularly updated. You only have to reinvent the wheel if you need something custom-made because the app provides a variety of ready-made themes that you can utilize.
Aside from its focus on aesthetics, Kika includes autocorrect, voice input, gesture typing, intelligent predictions, built-in emojis, stickers, and a wide assortment of languages.
Download:Kika Keyboard (Free, in-app purchases available)
7. Big Font Keyboard
Big Font Keyboard is specifically made for seniors. As such, it's majorly centered around making typing accessible for seniors by allowing you to enlarge the keyboard's size and font. The app goes further by allowing you to enlarge the text size across your Android device.
Generally, as a keyboard, Big Font lacks all the bells and whistles that you'll find in other keyboard apps. For example, there's no autocorrect, so your grammatical skills should be solid. Word suggestions are also unavailable, but you get emojis, emoticons, and kaomoji. However, if you want to make your Android device friendly to seniors, we recommend it.
Download:Big Font Keyboard (Free, in-app purchases available)
Choosing the Best Android Keyboard for Your Needs
We've highlighted seven of our favorite Android keyboards, each with unique functionality. Gboard tops our list, but you might prefer other alternatives depending on your needs and preferences.
For some, Big Font may be the best due to its senior-friendly focus, or Kika because of its aesthetics. Since there's no solid option for everyone, the best way is to try the different options and see what works best for you.
