Keyboards are probably one of the most sensitive apps on our phones, having access and handling practically everything we type. I’ve stopped using keyboards that require network access and started using only opensource apps a few years ago. What are your favorite, privacy-respecting android keyboards?
So far, I’ve found these alternatives:
AnySoftKeyboard. I’ve used ASK for years and I’ve always been very happy with it. Probably the autocorrect could use some improvement. It’s definitely the most mature opensource keyboard out there, with the most features and configurations
OpenBoard. The one I’m using right now. Easy and fast to configure, quite good auto-correct
FlorisBoard. Haven’t had the time to try it out extensively so I don’t have any opinion about it
SimpleKeyboard. It offers the bare minimum one could ask from a keyboard but sometimes you don’t actually need more than that
AOSP keyboard and LineageOS’ fork, that is, the keyboards that come with some ROMs out of the box. They’re probably what a lo of people use
These are the alternatives I’ve been considering. If you know about other opensource keyboards to extend this list, pleas let me know
Pros/cons of each one of the keyboards I’ve used, based on my usage and preferences:
AFK
+ the copy/cut/paste tool that I could invoke by swiping up from the space bar
+ configurable input shortcuts
+ smaller extra top bar being (and configurable, not just with numbers)
+ the ability to backup your settings, shortcuts and dictionaries
+ plenty of themes
- maybe the settings are a bit too overwhelming
OpenBoard
+ it’s better at predicting words in my experience (maybe just placebo?)
+ “drag to delete” gesture on the delete key
+ configurable input shortcuts
+ “swipe to move the cursor” gesture on the spacebar
- no select/copy/cut/paste tools
FlorisBoard
+ theme editor
+ select/copy/cut/paste tools (maybe hidden behind too many taps)
+ ability to show the numpad using the “dialer layout” instead of having all the numbers on the same row
+ “drag to delete” gesture on the delete key
+ “swipe to move the cursor” gesture on the spacebar
But if you want asian or other complex alphabet languages support, look elsewhere.
I personally use SwiftKey which came with my phone for that, but all other time it’s hacker’s keyboard.
I’ve only used AnySoftKeyboard, but I will definitely try these other ones out.
Update: I have tried SimpleKeyboard, Openboard, and FlorisBoard and have now switched to the last option!
I like Simple Keyboard the most. I never liked auto-completion and such, and its ability to swipe left/right on the spacebar to move the cursor, and swipe left on the delete-key to pre-select the text that’s going to be deleted, are really nice.
OpenBoard and FlorisBoard also have those, but neither feel as good to me as the implementation on Simple Keyboard.
Definitely Florisboard, I’ve tried all of them and I wouldn’t switch back to any of them, it has really goo aesthetics and you can customize its appearance even more (although this isn’t finished yet and could be done better) and they are constantly updating it and from what I’ve seen they want to a add a lot of cool features like gliding writing, they already support some gestures and so on. Regarding language support they don’t support a lot already but they generally ad a few with every update.
Yeah, it works flawlessly, the only thing is that it doesn’t have predictive text but maybe now it was added. My phone has been broken since the last 2 weeks or so.
AnySoft is pretty great! I especially like that it has the ability to swype. It may not be the best but it’s the only open source keyboard I know that has that capability.
Swipe typing never seemed to work well for me unfortunately, so I just tap type in old school fashion. I am happy with it, though. I hoped swipe typing worked :(
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Nothing better than Hacker’s Keyboard.
Change my mind.
But if you want asian or other complex alphabet languages support, look elsewhere.
I personally use SwiftKey which came with my phone for that, but all other time it’s hacker’s keyboard.
Florisboard without a dubt, I’ve tryed many but none such feature rich and carefully developed
I’m following its development very closely. It’s already the coolest one but I can’t use it until the developer is done with the autocorrector
I’ve only used AnySoftKeyboard, but I will definitely try these other ones out. Update: I have tried SimpleKeyboard, Openboard, and FlorisBoard and have now switched to the last option!
I like Simple Keyboard the most. I never liked auto-completion and such, and its ability to swipe left/right on the spacebar to move the cursor, and swipe left on the delete-key to pre-select the text that’s going to be deleted, are really nice. OpenBoard and FlorisBoard also have those, but neither feel as good to me as the implementation on Simple Keyboard.
OpenBoard along with FlorisBoard some times. Once FlorisBoard gets suggestions support, I’ll probably switch to it completely.
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OpenBoard. ASK is cool too. I might give FlorisBoard a spin tonight.
By the way, I created this issue to have keyboard recommendations on Privacy Tools, if anyone is interested to chip in.
https://github.com/privacytools/privacytools.io/issues/2183
I use Gboard
Definitely Florisboard, I’ve tried all of them and I wouldn’t switch back to any of them, it has really goo aesthetics and you can customize its appearance even more (although this isn’t finished yet and could be done better) and they are constantly updating it and from what I’ve seen they want to a add a lot of cool features like gliding writing, they already support some gestures and so on. Regarding language support they don’t support a lot already but they generally ad a few with every update.
It’s stable enough to use everyday? I’m using OpenBoard but maybe I give it a try later.
Yeah, it works flawlessly, the only thing is that it doesn’t have predictive text but maybe now it was added. My phone has been broken since the last 2 weeks or so.
Okay, thank you!
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It also lacks Bangla keyboard so that’s that.
My requirements for any keyboard is that both Esperanto and Tajik are supported, which rules out most of them, I think.
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I have been using Microsoft Swiftkey for 5-6 years or so.
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I use OpenBoard because I had an easier time (than with ASK) setting up a usable Bépo layout on it.
AnySoftKeyboard is nerd friendly and feature rich. I recommend OpenBoard to those migrating from GBoard.
AnySoft is pretty great! I especially like that it has the ability to swype. It may not be the best but it’s the only open source keyboard I know that has that capability.
Swipe typing never seemed to work well for me unfortunately, so I just tap type in old school fashion. I am happy with it, though. I hoped swipe typing worked :(
Yeah I like anysoft a lot