7 Best Alternatives to Gboard Keyboard for Android OS (2025 Edition)

When it comes to typing on Android devices, Gboard is often the default choice. Its robust features and Google integration have won many hearts. However, whether you value privacy, want advanced AI-powered features, or simply desire more customization, there are many excellent alternatives available in 2025. In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover 7 top Gboard alternatives for Android, each with unique strengths, real user feedback, and insightful case studies to help you find your perfect fit.

Why Consider a Gboard Alternative?

Gboard is powerful, but no keyboard can fit every user’s needs. Here’s why some Android users look for alternatives:

• Privacy: Concerns over how Google handles user data.
• Customization: Wanting more themes, layouts, or unique typing experiences.
• Performance: Experiencing lag on older or budget phones.
• Innovative Features: Desire for features like offline voice typing, AI replies, or minimalistic interfaces.

Real-world example: Ritu, an Android user from Mumbai, switched to a privacy-centric keyboard because she didn’t want her keystrokes analyzed for Google ads.

What Makes a Great Android Keyboard?

• Fast and accurate typing
• Strong privacy controls
• Smart suggestions/autocorrect
• Multiple language support
• Custom themes and layouts
• Voice input and gesture typing
• Low resource usage

With these criteria in mind, let’s dive into the 7 best Gboard alternatives for Android in 2025.

1. FUTO Keyboard

If you put privacy above all, FUTO Keyboard is a standout in 2025. Unlike most keyboards, it works entirely offline, never sending your data to external servers. It includes:

• Modern features like autocorrect, swipe typing, and emoji suggestion
• Offline voice input—your speech never leaves your device
• Support for multiple languages and layouts (QWERTY, Colemak, Dvorak)
• Highly configurable: resize keys, adjust long-press functions
• Simple, distraction-free design

Case study: Lewis Rossman, a privacy advocate, switched to FUTO from SwiftKey and found that FUTO’s offline operation gave him peace of mind, while its feature set was comparable to mainstream keyboards.

Potential drawbacks: Voice typing requires a powerful phone and can be slower than online options. The interface is basic, lacking fancy templates or deep color customization.

Best for:

• Privacy-conscious users
• Anyone tired of data collection by tech giants

2. CleverType AI Keyboard

CleverType is a next-generation keyboard with built-in AI assistants for anyone who writes professionally, frequently switches tones, or wants smart automation on their keyboard:

• Instant grammar correction across 40+ languages with a single tap
• Change tone (professional, casual, flirty, etc.) instantly
• AI-generated replies for emails, WhatsApp, and Telegram
• 20+ inbuilt AI assistants (plus create your own!)
• Translates text with AI
• Lots of customization

Real-world example: Freelance writer Nikita saves time editing work emails and social media posts by using CleverType’s built-in AI grammar check and tone adjustment features.

Drawbacks: Some features are premium-only, but customer support is reported as responsive and quick to resolve issues.

Best for:

• Professionals, students, and social media creators
• Anyone wanting more “smart” automation when typing

3. Yandex Keyboard

A favorite among those seeking powerful prediction and customization, Yandex Keyboard stands out for:

• Accurate predictive text and autocorrect
• Multilingual support and smooth swipe/gesture typing
• Custom themes and layouts
• Built-in translator, emoji, GIF, and sticker support
• Robust clipboard management (stores multiple clips)

User reviews highlight: Its speedy and accurate input often outperforms Gboard and SwiftKey in customization and text prediction (though performance can vary by Android version). Downsides include occasional issues with voice-to-text punctuation, and minor bugs in newer OS updates. Some English feature gaps reported by users.

Best for:

• Multilingual users
• Emphasis on visual customization and smooth typing

4. Typewise Custom Keyboard

Typewise delivers a unique, hexagonal key layout for fewer typos, larger keys, and a genuinely fresh approach to smartphone typing. Features include:

• 70% larger keys for 4x fewer typos (backed by a 37,000-person study)
• Smart gestures: swipe to capitalize, delete, or restore
• Offline processing—no typing data leaves your device
• Supports 40+ languages
• Highly rated for accessibility (e.g., users with larger fingers)

Personal experience: There’s a learning curve with the new layout, but users report faster, less frustrating typing after a brief adjustment period.

Best for:

• Anyone with large fingers
• Those seeking typos reduction and privacy

5. AnySoftKeyboard

A fully open-source keyboard that puts user privacy first. AnySoftKeyboard is:

• Highly customizable: layouts, gestures, and themes
• Privacy-focused (no data sent to the cloud)
• Offline next-word prediction and completion dictionaries
• Voice input and multi-touch support
• Support for dozens of languages and power-user features

Real-world benefit: Developers and privacy advocates have long considered AnySoftKeyboard a stable, secure option for those wary of commercial data practices. It’s ideal if you want a minimal, “no tracking” typing experience.

Best for:

• Open-source and privacy advocates
• Users needing advanced customization or language support

6. HeliBoard

A shining example of minimalism and privacy, HeliBoard is:

• Open-source and free to use
• No internet or network permissions—everything is offline
• Clean Material UI with customizable themes, dark mode, and emoji support
• Smooth gestures and fast performance

User example: After switching from Gboard, a user noted that HeliBoard’s familiar layout and accurate suggestions were almost as good as Google’s, but with a clean conscience about privacy.

Best for:

• Minimalists who value privacy, simple design, and open-source software

7. Fleksy Keyboard

If you care about speed and gesture typing, Fleksy is a top choice. Key features include:

• Lightning-fast typing and minimal latency
• Deep personalization (themes, adjustable key size, extensions)
• Privacy-first—no data logging
• Supports over 80 languages
• Innovative features like extension bar, GIF search, and customizable gestures

Case study: Fleksy has set world records for fastest typing on mobile, thanks to its unique input prediction and gesture system. Users praise its autocorrect for fixing even “sloppy” typing, though some mention a steep learning curve for new gestures.

Best for:

• Fast typists and power users
• People wanting to fully customize the keyboard experience

Bonus Mentions: SwiftKey & Chrooma

While this list covers unique alternatives, Microsoft SwiftKey and Chrooma are perennial fan favorites:

• SwiftKey: AI-powered predictions, swipe typing, 700+ languages, clipboard and translation features, highly rated for accuracy and multilingual support[10][38][41].
• Chrooma: Adaptive color themes, neural language predictions, and one-handed mode.

Conclusion: Which Gboard Alternative is Right for You?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer—your ideal keyboard depends on your priorities:

• Value Privacy? Try FUTO, AnySoftKeyboard, or HeliBoard.
• Want AI tools and automation? Pick CleverType AI Keyboard.
• Need fast typing and gestures? Go for Fleksy.
• Multilingual or love custom layouts? Check out Yandex Keyboard, Typewise, or Chrooma.

Each of these keyboards has a passionate user community and is under active development, ensuring you won’t be left behind as Android evolves. Give them a try and find the one that fits your typing style best!