SwiftKey Alternatives for Android (2026)
SwiftKey is a great keyboard — top-tier predictions, 700+ languages, free. But it is owned by Microsoft, syncs to the cloud, and some users find it laggy. If you want out, here is the honest 2026 picture.
But first, a warning that other articles will not give you: the keyboard graveyard is full. Three keyboards that competitors still recommend are effectively dead. We checked every listing live on the Play Store:
Do Not Install These (Dead Keyboards)
- Fleksy — REMOVED. Its Play Store page returns a 404; it was taken down in late 2025. Any APK site offering "Fleksy" now is not the official app.
- OpenBoard — GONE from Play. The old listing (org.dslul.openboard.inputmethod.latin) no longer exists. The open-source project continues on GitHub and F-Droid, but there is no Play Store version anymore.
- Grammarly Keyboard — DISCONTINUED. Grammarly's own Play listing carries an official notice: the Grammarly Keyboard for Android is being discontinued. The Grammarly writing-assistant app still works as an overlay on top of any keyboard — but as a keyboard, it is over.
With that cleared up, here are the alternatives that actually exist on the Play Store today, all verified live.
Why People Leave SwiftKey
The complaints are consistent across forums and reviews:
- Microsoft data collection. SwiftKey syncs your typing dictionary and predictions to Microsoft's cloud by default. You can turn it off, but privacy-minded users would rather not have the option exist.
- Lag and bloat. Years of added features (Bing AI, Copilot, stickers, GIFs) made the keyboard heavier; on mid-range phones it can stutter where Gboard stays smooth.
- Autocorrect regressions. Long-time users report that recent updates made predictions worse — "forgetting" frequently used words and suggesting odd replacements.
- Ads and upsells. SwiftKey's Play listing notes it contains ads, and premium themes cost extra.
None of these make SwiftKey bad — it is still excellent at its core job. But if any of them bother you, the alternatives below are worth a week of your time.
Urdu and Multilingual Typing
If you type in Urdu (or mix Urdu and English in the same sentence), keyboard choice matters more than most reviews admit:
- Gboard has full Urdu support with transliteration (type "salam" in Latin letters, get سلام) and automatic language detection — the best option for Roman Urdu typists.
- SwiftKey also supports Urdu well, which is one reason people hesitate to leave it.
- Typewise supports Hinglish and a wide language list, with automatic switching.
- Simple Keyboard supports system languages but has no transliteration — fine if you use the Urdu script keyboard layout, not if you type Urdu in Latin letters.
For most Pakistani users, Gboard's transliteration is the killer feature — it is the main reason Gboard beats SwiftKey for Roman Urdu.
Quick Verdict
| Keyboard | Play Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Gboard | 4.5 (18.9M) | Best all-rounder |
| Samsung Keyboard | — (preinstalled) | Samsung phones, already installed |
| Typewise | 3.3 (15.1k) | Fewer typos, hexagonal layout |
| Simple Keyboard | 3.9 (11.7k) | Privacy, minimalists |
| AnySoftKeyboard | 3.0 (26.3k) | Open source, tinkerers |
| Facemoji | 4.7 (1.5M) | Emojis, themes, fun |
| 1C Big Keyboard | 4.0 (25k) | Accessibility, large keys |
Ratings and review counts were read from the live Play Store listings at the time of writing and will change over time.
1. Gboard — The Best All-Rounder
Google's keyboard is the default on most Android phones for a reason. Glide typing is fast and accurate, voice typing is excellent, and it supports hundreds of languages (Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, and more) with automatic multilingual correction — no manual language switching. Built-in Google Translate translates as you type, and emoji/GIF search is the best in class.
4.5 stars from nearly 19 million reviews. The trade-off is the obvious one: it is Google, so typing data policies are Google's. If you live in Google's ecosystem, this is the easiest switch from SwiftKey.
2. Samsung Keyboard — Check Before You Download
If you own a Samsung phone, you already have a good keyboard. Samsung Keyboard has solid predictions, swipe typing, multilingual support, and deep integration with Samsung's ecosystem (clipboard sync with Samsung devices, Samsung Pass). Before installing anything new, give the one on your phone a proper week — many "SwiftKey switchers" on Samsung never needed to switch.
3. Typewise — The Typo Killer
Typewise throws out QWERTY for a patented honeycomb layout with keys 70% larger, claiming 4x fewer typos (based on a 37,000-person study they cite). It feels strange for a day, then clicks. Everything runs locally on your device — no typing data sent to the cloud — and it supports QWERTY/QWERTZ/AZERTY too if the honeycomb is too much.
The honest caveat: a 3.3 Play rating means it divides opinion. Worth a try if typos are your main pain; otherwise Gboard is the safer bet.
4. Simple Keyboard — The Privacy Pick
This is the keyboard for people who distrust keyboards. Under 1MB, exactly one permission (vibrate), no ads, open source — it physically cannot send your typing anywhere because it has no network access. It types, and that is it: no emojis, no GIFs, no swipe, no spell-check, by design.
3.9 stars from 11.7k reviews, updated September 2026. If your threat model includes your keyboard, this is the answer.
Get Simple Keyboard on Google Play
5. AnySoftKeyboard — The Open-Source Tinkerer's Pick
Open source with a privacy emphasis, and the most customizable of the free options: multiple layouts (QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemak), gesture support, themes, night mode, abbreviations dictionary, and language packs. It is less polished than Gboard — the 3.0 rating reflects a utilitarian UI — but every line of code is inspectable and it asks for nothing it does not need.
Get AnySoftKeyboard on Google Play
6. Facemoji — The Fun Pick
If SwiftKey felt too serious, Facemoji goes the other direction: 6,000+ emojis, stickers, GIFs, 1,500 themes, cool fonts, and AI emoji suggestions — all rated 4.7 stars by 1.5 million reviewers. Typing accuracy is decent but not Gboard-level — this one is for people whose chats are 50% stickers. Fine for social typing; do not write your thesis on it.
7. 1C Big Keyboard — The Accessibility Pick
An intentionally oversized keyboard with big fonts for older users, kids, or anyone with failing eyesight — you can even give it 100% of the screen. Fewer typos through sheer key size. A niche pick, but for the people who need it, nothing else comes close. 4.0 stars — but note that the free version shows ads (paid option removes them), which some reviewers dislike.
Get 1C Big Keyboard on Google Play
Privacy: What Your Keyboard Knows
Think about it: your keyboard sees everything you type — passwords, messages, searches. So apply some scrutiny:
- Open-source keyboards (Simple Keyboard, AnySoftKeyboard) can be audited; Simple Keyboard cannot even access the internet.
- Typewise processes everything on-device by design.
- Gboard and SwiftKey both offer to limit data collection in settings — check them.
- Red flags: a keyboard asking for contacts, location, or calendar access; "free" keyboards stuffed with ads (remember TouchPal's malware scandal — a keyboard is the worst place for shady code).
How to Switch Keyboards on Android
Install the new keyboard, then open it once and follow the enable prompt — or go to Settings → System → Languages & input → On-screen keyboard and toggle it on. Switch between installed keyboards anytime via the keyboard icon in the navigation bar. Give each candidate a full week — keyboards feel wrong on day one and natural by day seven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best SwiftKey alternative for Android?
Gboard is the best all-rounder — free, accurate glide typing, voice typing, hundreds of languages, and Google Translate built in. For privacy, Simple Keyboard or AnySoftKeyboard are open source with minimal permissions.
Is Fleksy still available on Android?
No. Fleksy's Play Store listing returns a 404 — it was removed in late 2025. Do not install Fleksy from APK mirrors claiming to be the official app.
Is the Grammarly keyboard discontinued?
Yes. Grammarly's own Play Store listing announces that the Grammarly Keyboard for Android will be discontinued. The Grammarly writing assistant app still works as an overlay with any keyboard.
Which Android keyboard is best for privacy?
Simple Keyboard (open source, only the vibrate permission, no network) and AnySoftKeyboard (open source, privacy-focused) are the safest Play Store options. Typewise processes everything locally on your device.
Is Typewise better than SwiftKey?
Typewise uses a honeycomb layout with keys 70% larger and claims 4x fewer typos, with 100% local processing for privacy. It's worth trying if you make lots of typos, but its 3.3 Play rating suggests it divides opinion — Gboard is the safer switch.
Can I use two keyboards on Android?
Yes. Android lets you install multiple keyboards and switch between them anytime — usually by tapping the keyboard icon in the navigation bar or long-pressing the spacebar. Try alternatives for a week each before deciding.
The Bottom Line
For most people leaving SwiftKey: Gboard. It is free, accurate, and already excellent. For the privacy-conscious: Simple Keyboard. For typo-prone thumbs: Typewise. And skip the graveyard — Fleksy, OpenBoard-on-Play, and Grammarly Keyboard are not coming back. For more keyboard talk, see our Gboard vs SwiftKey comparison and SwiftKey vs Fleksy (written before Fleksy's removal).