Want to Type Faster, More Accurately on Your Android Phone? Get a Better Keyboard

Typing on a touchscreen can be tricky, so having a good software keyboard on your Android phone is essential. Fortunately, Google’s mobile operating system has supported third-party keyboards for years (long before Apple finally started supporting them in iOS 8). Switching from your Android device’s stock keyboard to an alternative can make typing on your phone or tablet way easier and way more accurate.

But which is the best alternative Android keyboard for you? There are plenty to

choose from, but here are the five we’d recommend you check out first.

Google Keyboard

Of course, Google has its own keyboard — the free Google Keyboard — but, surprisingly, it does not come standard on all Android devices. The Google Keyboard looks simple but is actually impressively versatile, with gesture-typing, voice input, enhanced predictive text, and built-in emoji. It supports over 80 languages (23 for gesture-typing) and multiple keyboard layouts — including a “PC” layout that includes a dedicated number row, which is particularly convenient for typing in passwords. This keyboard isn’t going to win any prizes for customizability, but it does offer four themes (all of which are clean and minimalist — no ombré sunset colorways or galaxy prints here).

The Google Keyboard is an excellent all-around option if you like to switch frequently between input methods: it’s not best-in-class for any one method, but it’s good at all of them.

Swype

Gesture-typing — swiping your finger from letter to letter, tracing out words instead of tapping individual ‘keys’ — is arguably the best form of input for one-handed typists, and Swype is the original gesture-typing keyboard. It comes pre-installed on many Android devices; for everyone else, the full version costs $0.99 (though you can preview it for free for 30 days).

Because gesture-typing can leave a lot of room for error, the keyboard also relies heavily on predictive text, which uses your personal dictionary and typing patterns to predict what you want to type. The keyboard supports over 80 languages and offers bilingual support (meaning you can type in two languages at once). It offers premium paid themes and a few different keyboard layouts that cater to people with larger screens, including a split keyboard layout and the option to raise or lower the keyboard’s height.