Android keyboard apps

Top 5 free Android keyboard apps

Don't like the stock Android keyboard? Don't worry, as these keyboards make sure that whatever you type is typed better and faster.

The stock Android keypad has improved a lot with spelling suggestions and multiple language support in most old and new devices. But users always need something more, and that is the reason why there are plenty of third party keyboard solutions available today for Android devices, which offer spelling corrections, multiple language support, unique input system (rather than the old tap-tap) and more. But of so many, which is the one you should opt for? Either you can go ahead and try each and every one of them to decide what you really need or as simple as it can be, just read on as we help you decide the best one for you. Here we present the top 5 free Android keyboard alternatives that you can consider for your device in place of the stock keyboard.

Swype Keypad

Although touchscreens today support multi point touch input systems, users still mostly get through tasks using one finger. Well, Swype adds all the more power to that finger, making it mightier than ever. Swype utilizes swipe to input technology to register words and enter in the desired field, as opposed to tapping fingers on the screen. Swype keypad for Android comes with next word prediction, support for voice input, split keypad for bigger screen devices and dictionary support as well.

The Swype keypad also supports Hinglish (Hindi+English) for users who love to mix up a few words or create new ones. Swype keypad contains unique adaptive capabilities that enable it to understand users' preferences and typing patterns over time. This allows the application to become smarter and more personalized every time it is used.

Swype users can switch between different modes of input as per their need, thereby getting the maximum level of personalization for devices. Although the application is supported fully by Android devices it's not available at the Google Play Store, but users can get the app through the Swype store at beta.swype.com.

Swiftkey 3

The Swiftkey keyboard is the one keyboard that supports fast typing with the help of automatic correction and word prediction. The app is available free of cost for a time limited demo of a month. Following that the application is available as a paid option retailing for approximately Rs 99, but it is total value for money. The app learns typing style through SMS, emails and posts on social networks. Based on the way you respond and post text online, the smart engine suggests, to a high degree of accuracy, words that you might have meant to type.

The application senses words and places them in order for reference or as suggestions as the user types on the keyboard. The app also has a split keyboard version for tablet owners. The keyboard comes with a numeric pad in the middle and keys split in two corners that are easier to access while holding the tablet comfortably.

The best part of this keyboard is that it can be personalized based on the app you are using-Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, or even blogging apps. It is smart enough to learn your typing style for different services, suggests words and also supports multiple languages.

Slide It

What Swype loses by not being on the Google Play Store the Slide IT application makes up by being there. The Slide IT keyboard for Android has a similar swipe to enter input system that makes typing rather fun. The application also offers word suggestions and predictions along with support for dictionaries and support for multiple languages.

The application is almost identical in terms of utility but its look and feel have been made different and unique.

The application is available as both paid and free versions, but there are hardly any noticeable differences between the two. The free application comes without any time limitations or any form of nuisance. Another cool feature that the developers have included in the app is contact import, which allows the keypad to predict and present names from the phone book as well, saving on time spent in typing words and entering them in custom dictionaries.

Touchpal keypad for Android

The Touchpal keypad is yet another great keyboard when it comes to both utility and functionality, and offers better looks too. Touchpal for Android looks a bit similar to the default keypad except for a few additional buttons that cram the keyboard a bit more by reducing the space bar's size.

One of the best features of this application is the inclusion of the Swipe to type feature. The Touchpal keyboard for Android has one of the best and most accurate swipe input engines, which require users to simply skim the letters they wish to type, rather than tapping on them, which makes typing very easy even on a small device.

Along with the swipe input, the keyboard also presents word suggestions as you slide your finger on the keys. The keyboard suggests words to users with the minimum possible input characters and the company claims that this technology allows users to save up to 80 per cent of typing by offering accurate word suggestions with the minimum required keystrokes. So overall it helps users in getting work done faster and with very little effort.

Adaptxt for Android

Adaptxt keypad is by far the most adaptable and customizable keyboard available for Android. It is designed to learn and adapt to the user's writing style and allows the user to write more with minimum keystrokes. Developers have added the option of customizing the keyboard down to the minutest detail. The colors as well as the size of the keypad can be reduced or increased in order to fit the screen of even the small smartphones.

The keyboard offers support for multiple languages along with word correction and word predictions as the user types.

Adaptxt learns from social profiles like Facebook, Twitter as well as SMS messages and contacts. Adaptxt supports 50 plus language add-ons and 35 plus industry specific add-ons, which can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.

The developers also offer the Adaptxt keyboard for Android tablets with split keypads and easy customization the way it does for smartphones and all the cool features that make this keypad a very useful one for those who love customisation above all.