36
Source available and privacy-friendly alternative to Gboard (Google's keyboard)
(keyboard.futo.org)
Typewise is the only good alternative on IOS
this post was submitted on 02 Feb 2026
36 points (87.5% liked)
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The PrivaScore Project provides ratings for Keyboard Apps, and there are multiple options in the top tier.
Futo are apparently a somewhat shady company, so do your own research and if you don't like what you find check out Heliboard, Florisboard or Fossify Keyboard (all on Fdroid) to name a few.
This should be pinned somehow.
I read their explanation on being "source available" instead of open source, didn't sound unreasonable to me. But I'll do further research.. In the meantime one of my bank apps doesn't trust it either and refuses to open if that's the keyboard being used.
A truly open alternative would be Heliboard:
https://github.com/Helium314/HeliBoard
EDIT: one possible issue with HeliBoard is that swype input relies on an external closed-source library that needs to be downloaded and installed manually.
As with other FUTO services, FUTO Keyboard is source available, not open source.
Yep, I just read their explanation on that, doesn't sound unreasonable to me..
Whether their reasons are reasonable or not, it's not open source. FUTO minimizes the difference between the two, having originally sought to make their own definition of open source before qualifying it with the term 'source first' (i.e. source available).
Just fixed the title
I ditched Swiftkey some months ago. I tried several foss keyboards but it led me to FUTO and I like it the most.
Is it even permissible to use lemmy with any other keyboard than thumb key?
I cant believe I've been typing on a full size keyboard all these years!
Wow that seems cool
I just downloaded it for the first time and I'm currently using it to type this comment.
It will take some practice to get used to this. 😅 Thanks for the recommendation.
Just use the AOSP keyboard