The 6 best keyboard apps for Android: because everyone has a type

We use our smartphones so much, which means that finding the right keyboard app for you can really make a difference. All those little conveniences really add up. The following apps all have certain advantages that make them the best swipe keyboards for Android, as well as regular ones, available right now.

Jump to:

1. Swiftkey
2. Minuum
3. Gboard
4. Cheetah
5. Fleksy
6. Facemoji Keyboard

SwiftKey

You're probably familiar with, or at least know about, SwiftKey's Android keyboard app. The main bulk of what you should know is that it offers predictions for key-by-key, swipe input, and a variety of different sized keyboards to fit all needs. However, you can't freely resize it, as you can with some other keyboard apps

SwiftKey for Android features a toolbar that allows users to quickly call up stickers and GIFs for a timely and witty visual response. You can even use your own pictures to create custom stickers. To use the Toolbar, just tap the “+” on the left of the prediction bar.

There's also a good range of default themes you can apply to the keyboard, and if you want more there's a whole theme store where you can buy them individually or in packs. You can also choose to enable a separate number row across the top of the keyboard, or integrate the numbers into the top row of letters. SwiftKey is also a good option if you need to install a number of different languages too.

Its appeal, however, lies in the accuracy of predictions, which will continue to improve as you use it. SwiftKey isn't the most exciting option on this list, but it's been around a long time now and provides a dependable, customizable option.

Add in stats for most frequently used words (and which categories they come from) you can see how much time you've saved by using SwiftKey, so there's enough to warrant checking it out if you haven't recently.

Minuum

Minuum is a little different to others in this list, as it employs a swiping method in conjuction with a predictive word engine that's really pretty smart. Its main way of doing this is by reducing the multi-line qwerty into just two lines of characters, which is where the smart predictions come in handy - this means you don't need to hit the right letters very often. 

You can, of course, use Minuum in its non-minimized mode too. Here you get the full keypad and numbers, but the main appeal of the keyboard is that small row of minimized keys. You can also access different emojis from both the expanded and minimized keyboard modes. Switching between modes is as easy as dragging the keyboard up or down.

It's a potentially unnatural way to use a keyboard when you first try it but, providing you stick with it, you'll almost certainly get faster. Whether or not you'll be able to go back to a normal keyboard so efficiently is a different question. It does offer support for a range of languages and the ability to change the keyboard theme too. There's also an option that changes the theme multiple times throughout the days automatically.

Gboard

The Google keyboard offers a simple and clean interface, but also many smart features. In addition to a modern look, the text-to-speech function allows you to write messages with your voice, and it recognizes many different languages. This keyboard is found by default on Nexus and Pixel smartphones. Just like Swiftkey, Google's keyboard remembers everything you type and is able to optimize its suggestions.

Cheetah Keyboard

Looking to add some style and flair to your everyday keyboard? Cheetah has all of the traditional features such as improved predictive texting, autocorrect, and the integration of an online dictionary to provide accurate suggestions. You can also have a lot of fun with it thanks to voice inputs, GIFs, memes and emoji all at your fingertips. 

Cheetah keyboard stands out for its visual customization options, with 3D reactions. It supports DIY themes that you can put together from hundreds of different fonts, sounds, and backgrounds to make a keyboard that really looks unique.

Fleksy

Fleksy allows you to write messages quickly, without sacrificing your desire to personalize your phone. Forget the old and boring black and white keyboards! Say hello to color! There are many free and paid themes.

Fleksy, also allows you to send emoji, stickers and GIFs directly from the keyboard. You can select predicted words as you type or customize the size of the spacebar to suit your needs. Finally, you can swipe to access different features, like autocorrect.

Facemoji Keyboard

If you are big on emojis, as the kids are these days, something like Facemoji Keyboard (or to give it its full title,     
Facemoji Keyboard-Emoji Keyboard, Theme, GIF, Sticker...) will be right up your alley. This keyboard app for Android has more than 3,600 emojis, emoticons, free GIFs, symbols and stickers to send to your friends and family. The selection is so vast, you will never have to type another word with actual letters again!

There's some artificial intelligence in there to help with predicting what emojis you will need, as well as an emoji quiz feature where you have to guess the meaning of a string of combined emojis - perfect for those of us who are still learning this new language!

What's your favorite Android keyboard? Let us know in the comments below!