Typing
on a touchscreen can be tricky, so having a good software keyboard on
your Android phone is essential. Fortunately, Google’s mobile operating
system has supported third-party keyboards for years (long before Apple
finally started supporting them in iOS 8). Switching from your Android
device’s stock keyboard to an alternative can make typing on your phone
or tablet way easier and way more accurate.
But
which is the best alternative Android keyboard for you? There are
plenty to choose from, but here are the five we’d recommend you check
out first.
Google Keyboard
Of course, Google has its own keyboard — the free Google Keyboard
— but, surprisingly, it does not come standard on all Android devices.
The Google Keyboard looks simple but is actually impressively versatile,
with gesture-typing, voice input, enhanced predictive text, and
built-in emoji. It supports over 80 languages (23 for gesture-typing)
and multiple keyboard layouts — including a “PC” layout that includes a
dedicated number row, which is particularly convenient for typing in
passwords. This keyboard isn’t going to win any prizes for
customizability, but it does offer four themes (all of which are clean
and minimalist — no ombré sunset colorways or galaxy prints here).
The
Google Keyboard is an excellent all-around option if you like to switch
frequently between input methods: it’s not best-in-class for any one
method, but it’s good at all of them.
Swype
Gesture-typing
— swiping your finger from letter to letter, tracing out words instead
of tapping individual ‘keys’ — is arguably the best form of input for
one-handed typists, and Swype is the original gesture-typing keyboard.
It comes pre-installed on many Android devices; for everyone else, the full version costs $0.99 (though you can preview it for free for 30 days).
Because gesture-typing can leave a lot of room for error, the keyboard also relies heavily on predictive text,
which uses your personal dictionary and typing patterns to predict what
you want to type. The keyboard supports over 80 languages and offers
bilingual support (meaning you can type in two languages at once). It
offers premium paid themes and a few different keyboard layouts that
cater to people with larger screens, including a split keyboard layout
and the option to raise or lower the keyboard’s height.
While
other keyboards offer gesture-typing input as an option, there’s really
no substitute for the smooth, effortless flicks and lines of the
original. Swype’s tap-typing is slightly less responsive than other
keyboards, but it does feature voice input via Nuance’s popular Dragon
Dictate voice-recognition software.
SwiftKey
SwiftKey
takes predictive text to the next level — assuming you’re willing to
sacrifice a little privacy in the name of accurate, personalized
predictions. While other predictive text keyboards log your typing
behavior and adapt to your writing style as you use them, SwiftKey asks
for access to your email and social network accounts so it can get to
know what you like to type across all platforms. It can also predict
two-word phrases and emoji.
Even
without its scary-accurate predictions, SwiftKey has lots of useful
features. It supports over 80 languages, offers several keyboard layouts
and a store full of free and paid themes, and it can sync your settings
and predictions across devices. SwiftKey also supports gesture-typing
(called SwiftKey Flow) and has a button for voice input.
But
SwiftKey’s real strength is in predictions. Once SwiftKey gets to know
you well enough, it will basically type your text messages for you.
Fleksy
Google Keyboard, Swype, and SwiftKey are all pretty similar, with slightly different strengths. Fleksy,
on the other hand, is a different keyboard altogether. It uses a
particularly clever autocorrect algorithm to improve your typing
experience: It doesn’t try to predict your next word, it just focuses on
what you’re currently typing. Fleksy’s autocorrect is so impressive
that even visually impaired users can reportedly type on it accurately.
Fancy
autocorrect aside, Fleksy is also a beautiful keyboard with tons of
customization options. The Fleksy store has themes (free and paid) as
well as optional extensions (such as a dedicated number row or a GIF
search) that you can add to the keyboard. Fleksy doesn’t offer
gesture-typing, but it does have gesture commands — swipe down to scroll through autocorrect options, for example, or swipe left to delete a word.
Minuum
If
you’re not rocking a Samsung Galaxy Note 5, you may want a keyboard
that maximizes your on-screen real estate. In that case, the odd-looking
Minuum keyboard ($3.99; you can also try it for free for 30 days) was made for you.
Minuum
has a unique layout: All of its keys are arranged in a single row at
the bottom of your screen. That obviously takes a little getting used
to. But once you climb the learning curve, you’ll find it’s actually
quite speedy and accurate, even if you have huge thumbs. Minuum relies
heavily on predictive text. That can work retroactively, too: Tap on any
word you’ve written in a sentence or a paragraph, and you’ll be able to
select from a list of replacements.
The
keyboard supports 12 languages and multiple layouts (you can arrange
that single line alphabetically, for example), and has a number of
built-in themes. It doesn’t have gesture-typing, but, like Fleksy, it
uses gesture commands. Also, Minuum won’t leave you hanging when you’re
craving a traditional layout: Swipe up, and the keyboard will expand
into, well, an actual keyboard.
Sarah
is a freelance writer and editor based in Los Angeles who has a
love/hate relationship with social media and a bad habit of describing
technology as “sexy.” For more of her work, check out her portfolio or follow her on Twitter.
