SwiftKey vs Gboard: That is the very best Android keyboard for my part

[ad_1] <img class="e_Ug" decoding="async" loading="eager" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="microsoft swiftkey theme 2" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="microsoft swiftkey theme 2" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-2.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

Final 12 months, I wrote an article in regards to the Android apps I like to recommend to non-techies. In that piece, my keyboard decide was Gboard, due to its ease of use. Nonetheless, not each reader agreed with me, and a few talked about a reputation I hadn’t heard (or used) in years: SwiftKey.

I used to be as soon as an avid SwiftKey consumer, choosing the modern keyboard early in my Android journey over Google’s less complicated default choice. The attract of the extra environment friendly and sensibly designed Google different ultimately drew me away as I upgraded to extra polished gadgets. However, on condition that we’ve simply began a brand new 12 months, may the reverse be true? Might SwiftKey problem Gboard on my gadgets going ahead?

Nicely, all of the indicators have been there. I haven’t reviewed my keyboard selection in fairly some time, other than a short flirtation with the open-source different HeliBoard. I even have an affinity for Microsoft’s Android apps, together with the good Launcher and Cellphone Hyperlink.

I’m all the time up for brand new experiences, so I put in SwiftKey, relegated Gboard to the bench, and began typing. Now that I’m a couple of week into my journey, I've just a few urgent objects to debate.

Which is the very best Android keyboard? 612 votes

Gboard

53%

SwiftKey

39%

One thing else (point out in feedback).

8%

A resistance to vary

<img class="e_Ug" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="microsoft swiftkey theme 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="microsoft swiftkey theme 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-theme-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

There’s maybe a superb cause why I’ve caught with Gboard for therefore lengthy. For those who personal an previous however nonetheless useful pair of trainers that you simply discover infinitely snug and that helped you hit private targets, you possible wouldn’t need to change to one thing new, proper? That’s the place I discovered myself with Google’s keyboard. I’ve grown used to its responses to faucets and swipes, the general structure, the location of its buttons, the dimensions of the keyboard on my display, and its look. Utilizing it's a matter of muscle reminiscence, so switching to one thing new and giving it a good shot would take time and relearning.

Naturally, after I modified my default to SwiftKey simply after the brand new 12 months, it was a jarring expertise. Practically two weeks later, I’m nonetheless getting used to its idiosyncrasies, however the app’s broad settings array positively helped ease me into it.

Switching from Gboard to SwiftKey requires a while and adjustment.

Gboard is prescriptive, imposing a lot of its performance and design on customers. SwiftKey is much extra accommodating. So far as aesthetics go, it features a broader array of themes and theming choices. I a lot choose its Fluent Dynamic theme, which matches my telephone’s total shade profile, over Gboard’s Materials-adjacent different. Whereas I don’t significantly like masking my keyboard with patterns and transparency, this selection is on the market to SwiftKey customers.

Then there are the important thing choices; SwiftKey completely trounces Gboard on this regard. Whereas Google’s keyboard contains a whole Edit display that offers me fast entry to the arrow keys, SwiftKey lets me place these keys beneath the keyboard itself. When the cursor struggles to land precisely the place I need it to in a sentence after I faucet the display, I depend on these buttons to simply and rapidly bounce to the letter or phrase I need to edit. It has turn out to be a core a part of my day by day typing routine. Though this inclusion means SwiftKey occupies extra of my display than I would really like, it’s a small worth to pay for the advantages.

Discovering the proper phrases

<img class="e_Ug" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="microsoft swiftkey clipboard 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="microsoft swiftkey clipboard 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-clipboard-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

Customizations are one factor, however do they really imply improved typing efficiency over Gboard? Nicely, not initially. I couldn’t fairly stand SwiftKey within the first few days of utilizing it, and needed to drive myself to maintain utilizing it. However, ultimately, after experimenting with the button placements and keyboard dimension, I’ve grown way more snug with precisely touchdown faucets on Microsoft’s keyboard.

That stated, SwiftKey’s predictive smarts and swipe-typing efficiency path Gboard by a substantial margin.

To be honest, SwiftKey does supply some nifty advice options. It suggests a number of phrases in a single field, which is especially helpful when formulating shorter sentences. As a real-world instance, I usually inform my higher half that I’m leaving our condo when she’s at work. So after I sort “Leaving,” SwiftKey suggests “Leaving the.” It’s a minor instance, however given how usually it gives these two-word recommendations, the general time financial savings turn out to be vital in the long term.

The sum of SwiftKey smaller quality-of-life options make it a wonderful typing instrument on Android.

Moreover, I perceive that SwiftKey permits customers to swipe a number of phrases in a single gesture, however this has by no means labored reliably for me. Usually, I are likely to sort each phrase quite than swipe them, so this didn’t have an effect on me that a lot.

A characteristic I’ve discovered to worth considerably is SwiftKey’s clipboard administration. I can simply save whole strings right here for fast insertion in a message later. I’ve not fairly pushed this specific characteristic to its limits but, however I do plan to hone it additional as my typing journey continues.

The privateness and AI considerations

<img class="e_Ug" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="microsoft swiftkey settings 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="microsoft swiftkey settings 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

Lastly, I need to contact on one main shortcoming that customers of massive tech keyboards have talked about: privateness.

One of many many points with Gboard is the apparent Google connection. Those that worth their privateness might not need to use a keyboard made by an organization that has a style for consumer information. Nicely, SwiftKey isn’t precisely exempt from this both. It’s a Microsoft property, so you'll be able to count on loads of Copilot-led AI options baked into it. For what it’s value, I didn’t discover any of those really helpful. The one time I ever refine my writing is when drafting emails. I don’t want Copilot to help right here, nor do I need it to subject my textual content as queries. I’d a lot sooner use a standalone AI chatbot app for this. Fortunately, Microsoft does make it extra obvious you could shut off these options when you so need.

For those who don’t need to log in to the keyboard along with your Microsoft account, you don’t should. Don’t need to use the Rewards characteristic? Don’t hassle. For an additional layer of safety, you'll be able to even take away all permissions, and SwiftKey will largely work with out a lot fuss.

After all, when you’re taking de-Googling extra severely, it is best to contemplate an open-source keyboard. As I discussed within the intro, Heliboard is effectively value contemplating.

SwiftKey vs Gboard: Which is finest?

<img class="e_Ug" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="(min-width: 64rem) 51.25rem, 80vw" title="microsoft swiftkey settings arrow keys 1" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1.jpg 1920w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1-64w-36h.jpg 64w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1-1000w-563h.jpg 1000w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1-1536w-864h.jpg 1536w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1-675w-380h.jpg 675w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1-300w-170h.jpg 300w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1-1280w-720h.jpg 1280w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1-840w-472h.jpg 840w" alt="microsoft swiftkey settings arrow keys 1" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/microsoft-swiftkey-settings-arrow-keys-1.jpg"/> Andy Walker / Android Authority

Whereas I commonly bounce between varied Android apps in a number of genres, I hardly ever change up my keyboard. Because of this, I’ve been tied to Gboard for almost all of the previous decade. However, after utilizing SwiftKey for the previous two weeks, I can simply see myself adopting it for the remainder of the month, if not the 12 months.

SwiftKey gives loads of customization choices, together with small but vital options that enhance my typing expertise. Regardless of Microsoft’s finest efforts to smash it with unnecessary AI injections, you'll be able to deactivate these with relative ease.

Is SwiftKey higher than Gboard? That basically relies upon. For those who’re reliant on a keyboard that integrates Google’s varied merchandise, gives correct predictive smarts, and offers that acquainted feeling, Gboard is the ticket. However I do consider SwiftKey has a a lot greater ceiling when you get used to its quirks.

Don’t need to miss the very best from Android Authority?

<img class="e_Ug" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge light@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge light@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_light@2x.png"/><img class="e_Ug" decoding="async" loading="lazy" sizes="9.375rem" title="google preferred source badge dark@2x" srcset="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png 676w, https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x-64w-20h.png 64w" alt="google preferred source badge dark@2x" src="https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/google_preferred_source_badge_dark@2x.png"/> Thanks for being a part of our neighborhood. Learn our Remark Coverage earlier than posting.