The Best Android Keyboard Apps in 2026 (Privacy-First, AI-Assisted, and Free)

Didn't like the default keybaord that came preinstalled on your Android device? Don't worry, we have got you covered with the best keyboard apps for Android that offers better features and customizability.

By Farzan Hussain

Updated on May 13, 2026 EDT

Fact checked by Steven

Gboard ships on every modern Android phone and SwiftKey has been a Microsoft default for years, yet there is a quiet third tier of keyboard apps that handle privacy, theming, and writing assistance better than either default. In 2026 the choice is wider than ever, and the right pick depends on whether you want on-device AI, glide typing, or a tiny binary that respects your data.

Below is the editorial pick of seven Android keyboard apps tested on Pixel 8a and Galaxy S24 running Android 15 and 16. Each entry covers what the keyboard does well, where it falls short, and the single user it suits best.

TL;DR

The pick: Best overall: Gboard for most people, with on-device Gemini Nano suggestions on Pixel 8a and 9 in 2026.

Runner-up: Best privacy: FlorisBoard or HeliBoard, both fully open source with no telemetry.

Skip if: Skip glide typing? Then a fixed-grid layout like Unexpected Keyboard suits one-handed code editing.

Gboard, the default that quietly improved

Google rebuilt Gboard’s autocorrect on a Gemini Nano model in 2025, and the result is the best mainstream prediction quality on Android in 2026. Voice typing runs on-device on Pixel 8a and Pixel 9. Themes have improved, glide typing is rock solid, and the clipboard manager is no longer behind a separate Google account toggle.

SwiftKey, Microsoft's polished alternative

SwiftKey leans into Copilot integration in 2026. Predictions sync across the SwiftKey account, the toolbar links into Microsoft 365 dictation, and the layout customisation is still the most flexible of the major commercial options. It tracks more than Gboard does by default, so check the diagnostic-data toggle before logging in.

FlorisBoard and HeliBoard for privacy maximalists

FlorisBoard reached its 0.5 release in March 2026 and added a usable glide-typing engine. HeliBoard, the AOSP-keyboard fork, ships in F-Droid and supports user dictionaries, custom layouts, and zero network permissions. Either one is the right pick if you want a keyboard that cannot phone home, full stop.

Niche picks: Fleksy, Typewise, Unexpected Keyboard

Fleksy still leads on raw typing speed for thumbtyping and adds GIF and meme tooling. Typewise’s honeycomb layout halves typos for some users. Unexpected Keyboard exposes modifier keys, arrow keys, and Esc, which is the killer feature for anyone running Termux or editing code on Android.

Which keyboard fits your goals?

Best default replacement: Gboard with on-device prediction.
Best for privacy: HeliBoard from F-Droid, no Play install required.
Best for Microsoft 365 users: SwiftKey signed into a work Microsoft account.
Best for raw speed: Fleksy or SwiftKey, tuned over a week.
Best for coders and terminal use: Unexpected Keyboard.

FAQ

Does the AI in Gboard send my typing to Google?

On Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, and Galaxy S24 the Gemini Nano-based prediction runs entirely on-device by default. Cloud-assisted suggestions are an explicit opt-in toggle in Gboard settings.

Can I install Gboard on a non-Google phone?

Yes. Gboard is available in the Play Store for every modern Android phone, including Galaxy and OnePlus devices. The on-device AI features only run on supported Tensor and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 hardware in 2026.

Is SwiftKey still owned by Microsoft?

Yes. Microsoft acquired SwiftKey in 2016 and continues to update it through 2026, with Copilot features rolling out to the Android version through the year.

What is the smallest keyboard app?

Unexpected Keyboard ships at under 1 MB and HeliBoard is around 6 MB. Both are dramatically smaller than Gboard, which now exceeds 100 MB on most installs.

Bottom line

The keyboard you tap is the most-used UI on your phone, and in 2026 the gap between mainstream and privacy-first options is finally closing. Gboard is the easy default, SwiftKey fits Microsoft households, and the F-Droid pair of FlorisBoard and HeliBoard prove that a no-telemetry keyboard does not have to feel like a downgrade.