Private and open-source alternatives to Gboard
6 mobile keyboards rated against the same public privacy criteria as Gboard (Google Keyboard), with our picks first.
Why look for an alternative?
- Open source: no. Closed source.
- No trackers or telemetry: partial. Exodus found no third-party trackers, but Gboard sends federated learning data from typing to Google by default, which can be turned off.
- No ads or data sales: no. The app shows no ads, but it is a free Google product funded by Google's advertising business.
- Independent audit: no. No independent audit is published.
- Works offline: no. Has network access and sends learnings from typing to Google through federated learning by default.
The alternatives
AnySoftKeyboard Grade B
Open source keyboard for Android with add-on packs for languages, layouts and themes, gesture typing, voice input and a clipboard manager.
AnySoftKeyboard scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the mobile keyboards criteria. It meets 4 of 5 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and works offline.
FlorisBoard Grade B
Open source keyboard for Android with glide typing, clipboard manager, emoji panel, themes and extension support, with no network access.
FlorisBoard scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the mobile keyboards criteria. It meets 4 of 5 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and works offline.
FUTO Keyboard Grade B
Android keyboard with on-device word prediction, swipe typing and offline voice input, built without network access.
Based in the United States (Five Eyes). FUTO Keyboard scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the mobile keyboards criteria. It meets 4 of 5 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and works offline.
HeliBoard Grade B
Open source keyboard for Android based on AOSP LatinIME, with themes, clipboard history, multilingual typing and optional glide typing through a user-supplied library, without network access.
HeliBoard scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the mobile keyboards criteria. It meets 4 of 5 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and works offline.
Simple Keyboard Grade B
Minimal open source keyboard for Android with a number row, adjustable height, custom colors and cursor movement by swiping the space bar, requesting only the vibrate permission.
Simple Keyboard scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the mobile keyboards criteria. It meets 4 of 5 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and works offline.
Thumb-Key Grade B
Open source Android keyboard with a compact 3x3 key grid and swipe gestures designed for typing with the thumbs, with layouts for many languages.
Thumb-Key scores 85 out of 100 (grade B) on the mobile keyboards criteria. It meets 4 of 5 criteria: open source, no trackers or telemetry, no ads or data sales and works offline.