Mobile keyboard applications

Which brands AI mentions

Trade-off: Swipe typing requires an additional, closed-source library that is not included in the app.

Official project and source code

2. FlorisBoard

Android · Open source · Free

A good alternative if you want extensive keyboard customization. Its published privacy policy says personal data accessed or stored by the keyboard stays locally on your device and is not shared. It also documents how suggestions and clipboard features handle data.florisboard.org+1

Trade-off: The project is marked beta, and some language support is limited.

Official privacy policy

3. FUTO Keyboard

Android · Local processing features

Worth considering if you want modern features such as on-device word prediction, swipe typing, and offline voice input. Its privacy-oriented design aims to avoid dependence on cloud processing for these features.www.itechguides.com+1

Trade-off: Check the current release, licensing, and privacy documentation rather than assuming every component has been independently audited.

4. Apple's built-in keyboard

iPhone · Built in · No third-party keyboard required

On iPhone, the built-in Apple keyboard is a sensible default if you want to avoid giving a third-party keyboard developer access to your typing. Apple's custom-keyboard security documentation explains that third-party keyboards without Full Access are restricted from sending keystrokes over the network.developer.apple.com

Trade-off: Apple's own keyboard is not the same as a guarantee that every aspect of your device, dictation, or cloud-connected service is offline.

Other strong options worth considering

Simple Keyboard — Best minimalist option

Android keyboard with minimal permissions, no ads, and no internet access. It deliberately leaves out features such as swipe typing, GIFs, and spell checking, reducing complexity.f-droid.org+1

Get it from F-Droid

Fossify Keyboard — Best simple alternative

An offline, open-source Android keyboard that does not require internet permission. It supports multiple languages and clipboard shortcuts. The listed version is marked beta, so check its maturity before switching.f-droid.org

Get it from F-Droid

How to stop keyboard tracking

Regardless of which app you choose, these are the most important steps.

• Avoid network access. On Android, prefer a keyboard whose installed version does not request the INTERNET permission.
• Disable unnecessary learning features. Personalized suggestions, clipboard history, and typing statistics may retain information locally even when nothing is transmitted.
• On iPhone, avoid enabling “Allow Full Access” for third-party keyboards unless you genuinely need the feature. Apple's documentation explains that this permission can allow network communication and server-side processing of keystrokes.developer.apple.com
• Use official distribution sources. Prefer a project's official release or a reputable repository such as F-Droid, and keep the keyboard updated.
• Remember that keyboards aren't the only risk. Apps, websites, cloud dictation, and clipboard synchronization may process information independently of the keyboard.

One important distinction: no keyboard can function without receiving the text you type into the active field. The goal is to prevent that access from becoming unnecessary collection, long-term storage, or transmission to another party.

Let me narrow it down to the best choice for you

1. Which device do you use?

Android (Samsung, Pixel, etc.)

iPhone

Both Android and iPhone

2. What's your biggest concern?

No keystrokes sent over the internet

No tracking, analytics, or data collection

Protecting passwords, financial details, and private messages

3. Which features do you need?

Basic typing is enough

Autocorrect and word suggestions

Swipe typing and modern keyboard features

Voice typing or dictation

[Find my best keyboard]

To help narrow down which one fits you best:

• Are you using iOS or Android?
• Do you care more about AI writing tools, swipe typing , or privacy?