Andy Walker / Android Authority
Last year, I wrote an article about the Android apps I recommend to non-techies. In that piece, my keyboard pick was Gboard, thanks to its ease of use. However, not every reader agreed with me, and some mentioned a name I hadn’t heard (or used) in years: SwiftKey.
I was once an avid SwiftKey user, opting for the innovative keyboard early in my Android journey over Google’s simpler default option. The allure of the more efficient and sensibly designed Google alternative eventually drew me away as I upgraded to more polished devices. But, given that we’ve just started a new year, could the reverse be true? Could SwiftKey challenge Gboard on my devices going forward?
Well, all the signs were there. I haven’t reviewed my keyboard choice in quite a while, aside from a brief flirtation with the open-source alternative HeliBoard. I also have an affinity for Microsoft’s Android apps, including the brilliant Launcher and Phone Link.
I’m always up for new experiences, so I installed SwiftKey, relegated Gboard to the bench, and started typing. Now that I’m about a week into my journey, I have a few pressing items to discuss.
Which is the best Android keyboard? 171 votes Gboard 55 % SwiftKey 40 % Something else (mention in comments). 5 %
A resistance to change
Andy Walker / Android Authority
There’s perhaps a good reason why I’ve stuck with Gboard for so long. If you own an old but still functional pair of running shoes that you find infinitely comfortable and that helped you hit personal targets, you likely wouldn’t want to switch to something new, right? That’s where I found myself with Google’s keyboard. I’ve grown used to its responses to taps and swipes, the overall layout, the placement of its buttons, the size of the keyboard on my screen, and its appearance. Using it is a matter of muscle memory, so switching to something new and giving it a fair shot would take time and relearning.
Naturally, when I changed my default to SwiftKey just after the new year, it was a jarring experience. Nearly two weeks later, I’m still getting used to its idiosyncrasies, but the app’s broad settings array definitely helped ease me into it.
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