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
  • + actively developed
  • - no autocorrections (yet)
  • Onizuka@lemmy.world
    6·
    2 years ago

    I rely on swipe, sadly this makes Gboard still the only real option for me.

    Anysoft swipe is really bad in comparison. Also I’m not sure if the app is still maintained.

    I had my hopes up for floris and still have. Their swipe actually works great but only in English and not much happens there for months now.

    The lineage fork of AOSP Keyboard has swipe and while it works pretty good, the bad autocorrection destroys all the other good points of it.

  • ghost_laptop@lemmy.ml
    5·
    5 years ago

    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.

  • Travis Skaalgard@lemmy.ml
    4·
    5 years ago

    AnySoft is great for languages that use Latin characters. For some of my friends, its lack of Japanese and Chinese support is an issue, but since I don’t normally type in those languages, AnySoft is great for me.

    • marmulak@lemmy.mlBanned
      1·
      5 years ago

      My requirements for any keyboard is that both Esperanto and Tajik are supported, which rules out most of them, I think.

      • Travis Skaalgard@lemmy.ml
        2·
        5 years ago

        So, with AnySoft, you can just turn off all predictive text and it still supports any Latin characters. You just have to manually type.

  • rafael@lemmy.ml
    4·
    5 years ago

    I’ve tested ASK, SimpleBoard, and OpenBoard, and I’m currently using the latter. I’ve just installed FlorisBoard. Although it’s in alpha stage, it seems to be pretty decent.

  • Jomn@lemmy.ml
    4·
    5 years ago

    I use OpenBoard because I had an easier time (than with ASK) setting up a usable Bépo layout on it.

  • Darorad@lemmy.world
    3·
    2 years ago

    I’m using florisboard, though I think the project is dead, there hasn’t been any activity in the github since last year

  • Kamui@lemmy.ml
    2·
    5 years ago

    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!

  • dobeltip@lemmy.world
    2·
    2 years ago

    I use OpenBoard works fine for me. I tried FlorisBoard while ago, but my phone got heat up idk why.

  • LagDrake@lemmy.world
    2·
    2 years ago

    I’m using Typewise for the form of letters, gesture to capitalize/delete. Would be tempted to use an alternative, as I don’t really know how friendly to data it is…

  • shadythgod@lemmy.ml
    2·
    5 years ago

    OpenBoard along with FlorisBoard some times. Once FlorisBoard gets suggestions support, I’ll probably switch to it completely.