Android keyboards you can install in 2021

You may not be typing as fast as you should with your mobile, and the keyboard you use is the culprit. Each person has their own technique when it comes to writing, in the same way that each keyboard app adapts differently to the needs of each one.

Luckily, on Google Play, we can find dozens of different keyboard apps, each with its advantages and disadvantages compared to the rest. To help you find the one that best suits you, we have decided to select the best keyboards that you can install on your Android mobile or tablet.

In search of the best keyboard for Android: the best options out there

• Gboard
• Swiftkey
• BlackBerry Keyboard
• Minuum
• Fleksy
• AnySoftKeyboard
• Chrooma Keyboard
• Open board
• TypeWise
• Keyboard69
• Simple Keyboard

As you can see, some of the Android keyboards that we have selected are very popular, such as the Google keyboard. Still, others, such as Minuum, sneak into the list because, in our opinion, they have characteristics that are worth it. Along the way, some popular keyboards at the time have been left, such as Swype Keyboard or Slash Keyboard, which today are no longer available on Google Play or have stopped being updated and, therefore, lag. Their rivals…

Next, we will detail each of the Android keyboards that we have selected, so you can see what features they have and how you can download them for free from the Play Store.

Gboard

With more than 1 billion installs through the Play Store, Gboard, the Google keyboard, is the most popular app in its category. Over the years, the application has been adding more interesting functions, and today it has little to envy its main rivals.

Among its features, we find the possibility of writing through gestures or freehand, prediction of words or phrases based on AI, or support for several languages ​​simultaneously.

Of course, there is also the search for emojis and stickers or any other secrets that we detail more in-depth in our Gboard guide.

Swiftkey

If there is one keyboard app that can stand up to Gboard in terms of popularity, it is undoubtedly SwiftKey. The application now owned by Microsoft has one of the most powerful and advanced predictive engines, and millions of people use it instead of other apps thanks to its intelligent and automatic auto-correction system.

Like Gboard, SwiftKey becomes more accurate as it is used, as it learns from the user’s typing habits. In addition, it is customizable thanks to the various themes that can be applied.

BlackBerry Keyboard

To offer an experience on a par with that of the physical keyboards of its mobiles, BlackBerry had to develop a keyboard app good enough to equip its Android smartphones. Thus was born the BlackBerry Keyboard, an app based on the AOSP keyboard, with interesting additions that promise to improve our productivity.

Its most interesting function is the possibility of accessing a panel of configurable quick phrases, as well as a numeric keyboard by sliding to the right or left. It also includes autocorrecting, predictive engine, or integrated clipboard, among other tools.

Minuum

According to its creators, Minuum is a small keyboard for people with big fingers. The application stands out for its predictive engine, apparently much more advanced than any other keyboard.

Its appearance is reminiscent of Gboard, although this app has even more customization options with which to modify the aesthetics of the keyboard. In addition, it has automatic suggestions for emojis, clipboards, and support for 13 different languages.

Fleksy

The only keyboard with a Guinness Record obtained for its speed is Fleksy, and without a doubt, that is one of the reasons to bet on this application.

After its change of owners in mid-2017, Fleksy’s support was resumed to continue improving this great application through updates, which added even more additional functions to the existing ones, including private keyboard, gesture typing, multi-language support, and customization options.

AnySoft Keyboard

* One of the few open-source keyboards that exist on Google Play. Beyond that, it can be an interesting alternative for those who have not adapted to the Gboard or SwiftKey format.

It has advanced customization options, such as adaptive themes that change depending on the time of day, gesture typing, multi-language and multi-touch support, and much more.

Chrooma Keyboard

If what you are looking for is an extremely customizable keyboard app, Chrooma Keyboard should be your main option to evaluate. Not only does it allow you to modify the appearance of any component of the keyboard, but it even has the ability to change color depending on the app that is being used.

Beyond its customization capabilities, the app does not forget about prediction and self-correction. It includes an AI-based engine that offers contextual prediction, checking for grammar mistakes, or gesture writing with automatic correction.

OpenBoard

For lovers of open source, there is OpenBoard, a totally free keyboard backed by an open-source project, which despite being based on the keyboard code included in AOSP, lacks Google add-ons.

Therefore, its creators assure us that it is a safe keyboard by not sending diagnostic data or private information to Google servers. Despite this, it has autocorrect, customizable themes, and emojis.

TypeWise

On its day, we already dedicated a complete article to this keyboard that promises to reduce errors when typing by 80% while increasing speed and precision.

This is TypeWise, a keyboard app for Android with a somewhat unusual format since its keys are hexagonal in shape. In theory, this format makes typing mistakes less common.

In addition, the keyboard incorporates gestures that allow you to type faster and autocorrect that learns from our way of writing, and many other interesting additions.

Keyboard69

Probably the craziest keyboard you’ll ever try on your Android mobile.

At the time, it was known as Tintype, and it came to revolutionize the way of writing on iPhone and iPad. Later, it landed on Android under the name Keyboard69, boasting a typing method never seen before.

And it is that this keyboard offers the possibility of typing making gestures with two fingers simultaneously. In addition, it has a shortcut function that facilitates and speeds up the writing process considerably.

The keyboard is free, and although it hasn’t been updated for several years, it’s worth giving it a try and experimenting with its curious format.

Simple Keyboard

Its name says it all: Simple Keyboard is a simple, uncomplicated keyboard for those who want to type as quickly and efficiently as possible, without unnecessary add-ons.

We already talked in more detail about Simple Keyboard for Android at the time; we concluded that it is a perfect keyboard for less powerful devices given its low weight, which is also recommended for those looking for something effective and easy to use.

But, despite its simplicity, the keyboard includes additions such as rows of numbers, support for gestures, customizable themes, or configurable height, all in an app of less than 1 MB.

Why should I install an Android keyboard?

Obviously, installing a keyboard on Android is a must since, without it, we will not be able to write in messaging apps or search the Internet, among many other functions. So it’s worth spending a little time choosing the best possible keyboard.

All Android devices come with a pre-installed keyboard, and depending on the brand of your mobile, it will have some characteristics or others. Brands like Samsung, LG, Huawei, or Xiaomi have their own custom Android keyboard, and other devices, like the Google Pixel, use Gboard, the Google keyboard.

Be that as it may, and as we have already seen, you have total freedom to use the keyboard you want on your Android. If you don’t know how to change the default keyboard to another, visit our article on how to change the keyboard on Android.