Between basic functionalities and advanced options, the offer of alternative keyboards is constantly on the application stores. Telecharger.com has selected for you the best keyboards for Android, iPhone and iPad.
Finding an alternative keyboard that meets a well-defined list of criteria can sometimes turn out to be more complex than it looks. While most third-party keyboards incorporate basic common features, the difference is in the bonus options designed to improve your writing experience. To help you in your choice, the editorial staff of Telecharger.com has tested many alternative keyboards and has selected eight suitable for various uses.
Gboard
Gboard stands out as the benchmark for mobile keyboard. Direct access to Google search makes it a functional tool. No need to go through your browser to share links or practical information with your contacts. Integrated into the keyboard toolbar, Google Translate instantly offers a translation of the selected text in one of the 103 languages supported by the service. Another nice option is the ability to resize Gboard to only use it with one hand, whether you are right-handed or left-handed.
The +:
+ Integrated Google search
+ Google Translate integrated
+ Keyboard resizable and usable with one hand
The – :
– Adding new words to the dictionary does not always work
Download Gboard for Android (Free)
Download Gboard for iPhone / iPad (Free)
Fleksy
Inventive, Fleksy puts the control keys in the closet in favor of advanced tactile gestures. Spaces, returns and deletions are done with the swipe of a finger, making writing messages smoother. In addition to a text input mode, Fleksy provides you with Imojis (personalized emojis) and animated gifs that you search by keywords. Finally, from the application dashboard, you can change the theme of your keyboard, add extensions, download language packs or manage dictionary entries.
Most :
+ Advanced gesture control
+ Many extensions available
+ Support for animated gifs and Imojis
The lessers :
– Gesture control mechanism complicated to understand
Download Fleksy for Android (Free)
Download Fleksy for iPhone / iPad (Free)
Hacker’s Keyboard
Intended primarily for programming and writing enthusiasts, Hacker’s Keyboard offers a keyboard identical to that of your PC, including Ctrl, Alt and Tab keys. The keyboard is organized according to the orientation of your device to ensure maximum editorial ergonomics, and its clean interface promotes user concentration. In addition, for the sake of efficiency, Hacker’s Keyboard includes support for all Windows keyboard shortcuts in terms of editing.
Most :
+ Full and ergonomic keyboard
+ Incorporates Windows keyboard shortcuts
+ Easily configurable additional shortcuts
The lessers :
– Very rough or non-existent predictions and corrections
Download Hacker’s Keyboard for Android (Free)
Minuum
Minuum stands out for its ability to learn from your writing habits. The more you use it, the more relevant the suggestions. An aptitude that also concerns emoji recommendations. The second originality of Minuum lies in its 2-in-1 formula: in addition to the traditional keyboard, you benefit from an improved T9 headband. The support for gesture shortcuts simplifies the typing process since it is possible to insert a space, delete a word, add a punctuation mark or change the combination of letters by sliding your finger on the keyboard.
The +:
+ Smart suggestions based on your writing habits
+ Improved T9 headband
+ Intuitive gesture shortcuts
The – :
– Results of shortcuts sometimes approximate
– Few special characters available
Download Minuum for Android (Demonstration)
Download Minuum for iPhone (Paid version)
Simple Keyboard
No gifs or emojis in Simple Keyboard. This minimalist open source keyboard even claims the absence of a prediction engine. A choice justified by respect for the privacy of users since Simple Keyboard never accesses your entries. This is therefore a real strong point and not a loss of earnings. Despite its apparent austerity, the keyboard does offer a few functional customization options like adding a row of numbers above the alphabetic keys. We appreciate the directional arrows which facilitate navigation in the text.
The +:
+ No tracking of seizures
+ Functional customization
+ Directional arrows to facilitate typing mistakes corrections
The – :
– No gifs or emojis
Download Simple Keyboard for Android (Free)
MyScript Stylus
Ideal for owners of mobile devices with stylus, MyScript Stylus intelligently replaces your text keyboard with a handwritten input area. You just need to draw your message freehand for the app to analyze it and assimilate it as text. Efficient on Android as well as on iOS, MyScript Stylus is able to enter whole words and recognize the most illegible characters. No need, therefore, to apply to the formation of letters.
Most :
+ Numerous downloadable language packs
+ High-performance character recognition
The lessers :
– No text keyboard
– Painful handling without a stylus
Download MyScript Stylus for Android (Free)
Download MyScript Stylus for iPhone / iPad (Free)
Dextr
The rebellious to the AZERTY keyboard will see in Dextr a saving solution. Arranging the letters in alphabetical order, this alternate keyboard adapts to the way you type. The keys are relatively large, and you can adjust the app to suit your writing habits, whether you’re right-handed or left-handed, and whether you write with your thumbs or index fingers. In landscape display, Dextr splits its keyboard in two for more ease. Finally, Dextr has a private mode, preventing the application from recording the words entered and making personalized predictions.
Most :
+ Organization of letters in alphabetical order
+ Adapts to your writing habits
+ Has a private input mode
The lessers :
– French dictionary via additional download
– Display of the cropped message in landscape mode
Download Dextr for Android (Free)
SwiftKey
With full service, SwiftKey is certainly one of the best performing keyboards on Android as well as iOS. Extremely easy to configure and use, SwiftKey adjusts the layout and size of its keyboard to your writing habits. Integrating swipe and voice input support, this keyboard benefits from very efficient prediction, as well as multilingual correction power. Pushing the concept of intelligence to the limit, SwiftKey offers a cloud service dedicated to synchronizing your editorial style on all your devices from your various Gmail, Facebook or even Twitter accounts.
Most :
+ Very strong prediction
+ Keyboard adapted to your writing habits
+ Powerful swipe and voice input
+ Cloud service to synchronize your writing style across your different devices
The lessers :
– New paid themes
Download SwiftKey for Android (Free)
Download SwiftKey for iPhone / iPad (Free)
Verdict
Despite the diversity of alternative keyboards with all innovative features, SwiftKey takes first place on the podium on Android as well as on iOS. Integrating basic options such as swipe or prediction, it knows how to adapt to your writing habits and synchronizes your style on all your devices thanks to its cloud service.